As an author I aim to inspire pictures with my words. Readers rely on me to formulate
the perfect balance of description to bring characters, scenes and
conversations to life. But this week, I realised just how much I, as an author,
rely on pictures to inspire my words.
An extract from my
biography reads: ‘Rose is inspired by the love of her coastal home...’, and my
recent trip to Cairns drove home to me just how true this statement is. As I
walked the tropical settings of our north, I could literally feel the
characters of my current work in progress come to life. I felt closer to them,
as though I were seeing the settings through their eyes. I was inspired, and
delighted by the new revelations I encountered in both my characters and
storyline. I giggled to myself as my imagination conjured up a horrible predicament
for an unlikable character, and I felt an affinity with another character as
the sun set over a watery horizon.
After a week of
inspiration it occurred to me that, as authors, we are all inspired by
different things. For some it may be a time or place in history, for others it could be
relationship dilemmas, and others draw on a fantastical imagination as
inspiration. For me, I certainly draw on my surroundings. Below are some pictures that inspired me on my recent trip to Cairns. I would love to hear
what inspires you.
Rose Dee is the author of the 'Resolution' series. Visit her at: http://rosedee.com/
Hi Rose
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery also inspire me, but one thing that really gets me going is a good true story. Sometimes a news story will create a little spark and set me on the "what if" trail. And of course if you can travel in beautiful settings and pick up local stories along the way, all the better. Thanks for sharing.
Nola
Hi Nola,
DeleteSometimes true stories are more spectacular than imagined ones. I understand how you would feel inspired by some of them.
Ah! the Cairns-Kurunda railway! I went on that 20 years ago, but we didn't get all the way because of a fire on the bridge. I'd love to go back and do it again one day - all the way this time.
ReplyDeleteYou have to do it, Beth. It was terrific. We went up on the skyrail (I've been on that many times before), and back down on the rail. I've never been on the rail an I loved it. Great fun.
DeleteI know what you mean, Rose. I walked around areas where the 'Black Forest' existed, including Mt Macedon, and it brought to life several scenes from Black Forest Redemption. I could really imagine Tony and Stella climbing the mountain and running through the bush. :)
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love it when you get that connection with a character. I've been to Cairns a lot - even lived there at one stage, but this time I saw so much more, and I think it is because I have a new story to tell there. Kind of amazed me a bit. :)
DeleteYou've "hit the spot", Rose! I dragged my dear hubby around London, especially back streets and then the British Museum where two of my main characters meet in my next novel, The Tie That Binds. And even now I can vizualise details from those scenes. But there's nothing like a few photos to nudge your memory.
ReplyDeleteThat's for sure, Rita. Before I became an author I was a very poor photo taker. I could go for years without pulling out a camera, but now I know I can frustrate people with the amount of photos I take. I think that if I can just get one shot that captures the feelings of being in that particular spot, the photo will be a great reference point when I am writing.
DeleteI'm pleased I am not the only one dragging family around on research trips. :)
Oh I can just see you giggling away, Rose, at something you are going to inflict on your protagonist! Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteMy inspiration is random - some little detail starts off a scene in my head. It can be pictures, places, scenes, music, a good book - anything.
Love your pictures by the way,I need to get that proficient in my photo taking
Catherine, I used to be the worst photo taker in the world, until I found that it is much easier to publish my own photos than it is to get permission to use others. A really good camera helps too. :)
DeleteYes, its wonderful how our mind sets to working as we take in our surroundings. Our eyes...the windows of our soul, take what we see and store it in our brain, to be fathomed out by our heart. Depending on the condition of our heart, whether or not we are influenced by a faith in Jesus, or, something undesirable, it conjurers back in our mind, what we will write on. I have never actually seen the whole picture of this before. What a wondrous God we serve.
ReplyDeleteRecently, I have really become aware of how true this is, Crystal. We do need to be careful what we see and hear, and especially for our children.
DeleteLoved your beautiful pictures Rose. Isn't it interesting that different things inspire us? As for me beauty in nature has always been a source of inspiration. Life itself is my big source of inspiration since the little aspects of life and what happens grabs me. Then of course God's love is my biggest inspiration that spurs me on to write.
ReplyDeleteThanks again Rose,
Am sure your inspiration is always bubbling on a backburner,
Anusha
Thank you, Anusha. I am no professional photographer, but sometimes there is just that moment in time that seems to jump onto the lens. xo
DeleteGod is really wonderful in each one of us. His plans is so great, I want to become a writer also someday and I'm asking for God's wisdom and favor. Praise God!
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Kimberlee, you are so right. His plans for us are far bigger and greater than we could ever dream. :)
DeleteI think images inspire me too, but lately I've been wishing I could get my hands on movie soundtrack music as I'll often catch myself briefly drifting off from the storyline of a movie to consider the story in the piece of music behind it's scenes. Wreck it Ralph has some fantastic music!
ReplyDelete