Where does inspiration come from? Are you thankful when it comes into your life? Are you ready for it? How do you go about finding inspiration? Or do you?
Recently, my husband and I saw the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the latest movie by J. K. Rowling. It was a slight departure from the Potter, but it was connected enough to her block buster series that when comments were made by characters during the movie, I found myself inspired to read more. It brought back feelings I once had, many years before, when I first met inspiration.
Once I learned to read, I quickly acquired a taste for stories with a speculative nature. Some were read to me, while most I searched for and read. The first I remember reading on my own were fairy tales. And then, during sixth or seventh grade, I had a fabulous teacher–Mrs. Griffin–who read the complete Chronicles of Narnia to us. She set aside twenty minutes every day, right after lunch. We’d settle into our desks, and she would place her chair at the front of the room. We sat their eagerly anticipating her voice. She began sharing the words of an author I soon realized I wanted to copy. He was someone I’d never meet, but I felt as though I knew him like a close uncle or cousin. He was my inspiration.
It was magical
Through his writing, C. S. Lewis helped me see his words in my head. It was magical. Those words seemed to flow through my mind as scenes in a movie. Yet, I was seeing those images on my own, without the aid of a television or movie screen. It was a wonderful experience. I was in love. The feeling was intense. I found myself searching for more stories like his. I wanted to feel the surge, the excitement, the fear, the joy, his words, others’ words, I needed to see more.
The first time we visited the school library after hearing Mr. Lewis’ words, I looked for his books. The librarian explained that until Mrs. Griffin brought them back, there were no others for me to read. I was heart-broken. Two months went by. Finally, looking up to the top shelf where the Narnia books were resting, I reached up to take them down. Scared someone would come and take them out of my hands; I held them close to my breast as I walked over to the Librarian’s desk. I wanted them all, together, all at once.
“No. Young lady, you can only check out one,” the Librarian said as she took the other six away. “You won’t be able to read them all before you must return them. You can check out one at a time.”
I was stunned. How could she know how fast I’d read those books? Did she not know I would devour them, if I could? I mean, these were the greatest books of all time.
Age changes Inspiration
I don’t remember exactly how it happened, but somehow, I didn’t get to read all of the books as quick as I’d liked, but I did manage to finish them. The funny thing was, it wasn’t long until I forgot about those books. I’m not sure why, but I did.
It was maybe four or five years later, a new book was all the rage — Love Story. A movie came out shortly there after. Everyone was talking about it. Of course, we were the age that such a story would be the rage.
One day, it was my turn with the paperback, I had it positioned inside my science book, reading. (Yes, we really did do that in school). I managed to get the paperback stored into my desk before our teacher caught me. But, was I mad. It was at the best part, and I couldn’t get back to it for almost an hour.
Something happened while reading that novel. Inspiration came to me again. Several of my more hip friends were reading 1984, Fahrenheit 451, and The Hobbit. I gradually worked my way through those books, and then I remembered the fantasy story from my youth–a wardrobe and four siblings.
I have no idea why, but I didn’t connect C. S. Lewis as the author of the story I loved. I also didn’t realize he was the legendary friend of J. R. R. Tolkien. Yes, the famed author of The Hobbit. It was exciting to learn that about them as a freshman in college. I became bewitched to learn more. I had fallen in love withThe Hobbit and by extension, The Lord of the Rings. So in love that years later I named our home Hobbit’s Bend.
Author Inspiration
The idea that two authors whose work I admired were also friends, and good friends at that, was extra special to me. I imagined them inspiring each other as they worked. Later, I learned that their friendship had its ups and downs, and at one point was strained to a breaking point, but in spite of the strain, they managed to keep their friendship.
Fast forward to my senior year in college. Remember, I said I’d forgotten that Lewis was the author of the books that had been an initial inspiration to me. One of my roommates was majoring in elementary education. She shared she was taking a course in children’s literature. I shared what I remembered of the story. Of course, at the time, I didn’t even remember the author’s name and the word Narnia. She knew immediately what I was talking about. For a graduation gift, she gave me all seven books. I couldn’t believe it. To this day, it is one of those gifts that keeps on giving. Every fall, I pull them off my library shelves and revisit Narnia.
Friend Inspiration
Two Thousand and Two was another important year on my writing journey. I met a person who has become my “Tolkien” friend — Ms. Rosa Lee Jude. She inspires me, she kicks me when I need it, she checks on me and my writing, she is my inspiration. Those who know me know her. She is that kind of friend. Just the other day, we stole away and had a fun day shopping. She listened to me share my latest adventure in writing my new series – Chronicles of Eldershire – yes, shameless stealing from Lewis on my part.
We talked about one of the supporting characters featured in the series. Mr. Scruffy, an owl, is a dear companion to the main character, KC Carson. While talking, Rosa and I looked over the Barnes & Nobles display for J. K. Rowling, her new movie, Fantastic Beasts, and the Potter series. Rosa spotted a lovely, stuffed owl on a shelf with other beasts. I knew immediately he was the owl–the owl of my story. Yes, you guessed it. She bought it for me and we named him Mr. Scruffy.
Mr. Scruffy
Mr. Scruffy now sits beside me and helps me write, looking over my work, giving me inspiration.
In this picture, you can see Mr. Scruffy telling me (in his telepathic way) that my map needs to be redone on line-free paper. He’s a smart owl.
Where do you get your inspiration? How do you keep your inspiration going? Share your thoughts!
Write On! Press On!
December Surprise!
To THANK YOU for being a reader of my writings and to help me find new readers, you can acquire a FREE EBOOK of The Fire Within during four special days this month only — Thursday, December 8 through Sunday, December 12, 2016 on Amazon!
Please share this special promotion with any of your mystery reading friends! It is the first book of the Marine Letsco Trilogy and makes a great gift! (Special note: It does include adult content). And, I’d like to ask one more favor after you read the book — Pleaseleave a review on Amazon! It helps me! Thank you!
Since April, at various book signings, I’ve asked people if they would like to join my newsletter by signing my “Help Build My Newsletter Subscribers” sign-up sheet.
Twenty-seven of you have done so.
Now, that The Fire Within is about ready for release (Saturday, August 9, 2014 to be exact)—I have taken the time to learn how to set up and get my first Mail Chimp Newsletter going!
First newsletter from Newberry Tales
So, for those souls who have already signed up to receive my newsletter, you will receive an e-mail announcement about the release of The Fire Within.
If you have not already signed up, do so now, by signing in on the Newsletter subscription form on the right hand side of any page or go to the Welcome page and cursor down to the bottom and you will see it the form there. You will not find it here on this blog page.
While you’re doing that, consider signing up for my blog posts. Future blog posts will be delivered to your mail in box. You don’t have to come to this website each time I post. But, feel free to drop in and visit when you want to see the latest book cover or read the latest news.
And, if you are wondering, the newsletter and blog posts will not be duplicates of the same information.
I have twenty-seven names of friends I’ve seen at book signings who have provided me with permission to include their e-mail addresses in my newsletter e-mail database.
If you have not signed up for my newsletter at a book signing or I have not personally asked you if I may sign you up, and you want to be included, please go to my website (http://pambnewberry.com) today before 6:00 p.m. EST.
On the Welcome page, scroll down to the bottom where you will find a form to subscribe to Newberry Tales Newsletter.
Your name and e-mail address (required) will be automatically stored in my newsletter database.
Then, later this evening, I’ll have a drawing from all those subscribed as of 6:00 p.m. EST on August 3, 2014 for one lucky person to receive a free copy of my debut novel, The Fire Within!
Don’t fret, if you are reading this post and you see it is after the deadline, I’ll have another drawing for a free copy later in the week. So check back!<
Happy Days!
Pam
P. S. If you can’t wait and want to buy a paperback copy, go to my CreateSpace page where you can buy as many copies as you like. The book will be available in eBook format on Amazon in a couple of weeks.
Saturday, August 9, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Bring a beverage…Come by…Sit for a while…and let’s TALK murder!
The following are pictures from my Pinterest board giving clues about The Fire Within—
The inspiration for Marine Letsco, the protagonist, in my novel, The Fire Within. Such beauties…Hedy was also a spy in WW2 and stole crucial intelligence from the Nazis for the US. She loved and was an inventor! When asked how to look glamorous, she tartly retorted “Any girl can look Glamorous, just stand still and look Stupid.” PP: Women in Science…Picture of the cruise cabin that Marine could stay in while on a cruise to the Caribbean
Scene of a dinning room view described in The Fire Within while Marine cruises to the Caribbean.
The island at St. Lucia, Antigua where a murder is to take place while Marine is on a cruise.
Jack Daniels Manhattan, Marine’s favorite drink.
Marine’s work clothes that she uses when she dresses for work as an assassin.
The theme of The Fire Within — Like a phoenix rising out of the ashes, Marine Letsco, the protagonist in my next novel, will become someone again.
If you’re intrigued and want to learn more, read an excerpt and follow this Blog to stay up to date on the latest about Marine!