As writers we are
constantly gathering inspiration (whether we know it or not). An overheard
conversation, watching people interact, teenagers laughing together, hearing
others tell stories. I believe we subconsciously refer to our life experiences
as we write and create stories. We have to. In order to generate realistic
emotion and detail that readers can relate to, we have to have some kind of
jumping-off-point to base them on. I'd like to share just a few things that
sparked ideas for me as I created the world of PHOBIC, a world which is based
on the ethereal aspect of seemingly ordinary places.
Inspiration #1
My great aunt lived
alone in this fantastic old house built by her father, my great-great
grandfather. And it felt like stepping back through time every time I walked
through the door. BUT. Right off from her back door--the entrance we always
used--was a staircase. It wasn't long. It wasn't even hidden like those in my
story. But this staircase led to Aunt Vay's basement with its concrete floor
and old cast iron stove and that pair of metal roller skates that always sat
alone on a shelf. I hated going in that basement, especially by myself.
Looking back at these
pictures now I wonder why I'd been so scared, but as a kid that basement was
terrifying!
Inspiration #2
Another instance happened
at Aunt Vay's when my mom, sister, and I had pulled in late at night to sleep
after traveling from California to Utah all day long. We were tired. It was
cold and windy outside. And my mom couldn't find her key to the back door. We
tried that knob several times and then as I went to reach for the knob again,
the door opened. All on its own. OPENED. My mom, sister, and I all exchanged
looks and when I checked the knob (on the now open door), it was still locked.
True story! So it prompted the opening and this scene in PHOBIC:
My
best friend Todd’s red pickup appears at the curb, spewing exhaust like the
truck has a cigarette up its backside. I jerk up. My pulse kicks at the sight
of him. That’s been happening a lot more lately, my insides flaring up and
doing some sort of spastic dance whenever I catch sight of his alluring smile
and dark curls.
Leaving
the second Pop-Tart on the table, I stuff my phone in my pocket and snatch up
my backpack and clarinet case. I dart past the round, velvet-topped table in
the wide hallway to the front door.
I
reach for the knob. It won’t turn.
Heart
pounding, I try again. One way, then the other. Chick. Chick. The
lock mechanism is vertical. The door isn’t locked.
“Not
now,” I say under my breath. “Please not now.”
The
hairs at my nape skulk up one by one until they all stand on end. My wrist
flicks, and the obstinate knob makes the same chick chick sounds.
The eerie feeling spreads down the length of my arm, making the knob cold under
my touch. What is going on? I’m used to my house doing strange things, but why
won’t it let me out?
Inspiration #3
The Winchester Mansion
in California has also been intriguing to me, especially the staircase that
leads to the ceiling. This whole house is completely creepy, but especially this:
Piper's house also has a
hidden staircase similar to this one. Her discovery of it knocks her sense of
reality way off course, and she begins seeing flashbacks of the original
residents of house. Which leads to...
Inspiration #4
I LOVE romances, along
with Victorian/Regency-era stories. So my final inspiration for the
story--particularly the flashbacks that Piper has to the past--is:
Downton Abbey (I know it
takes place after the two eras above-mentioned. But still, inspiration.) It was
after watching the first few episodes that my two star-crossed servants in love
sprang into my head.
There were many other
sources of inspiration as well, but these are the main ones. What about for
you? What inspires you when you write?
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