​     Last July I decided to go back to school. I’ve always wanted to get my masters and finally made the move to apply. I got accepted into the Master of Arts in Professional Writing. This wasn’t an easy choice having not been to school in too many years to count. Add into that, I became a hermit in my writing life. Now, not only did I need to face socializing, I mixed in an education. I specifically looked for classes outside my comfort zone to increase my knowledge base. Creative Non-Fiction didn’t sound too difficult for a back to college class. It did challenge me in my writing skill at first, because this class focused on memoirs, biographies, travel writing, food writing, etc.
​     My first thought was that I did not have anything to write about. However, in one of my other classes (an introductory to genres class), I had to write a poem. My poem was based on my birth as a twin. This got me thinking of how to incorporate my life as a twin into a writing project. So, it began. Through this class, I’ve completed many essays in my book titled A Twin Like Me. I’d like to share some of it with you and see what you think. Here is the introduction and one essay entry:

INTRODUCTION
 
From the moment I took my first breath, I earned the designation of “twin.” This label is one I can never remove; a label I am proud to have and will have beyond my time on earth. I consider myself lucky in having a close, positive relationship with my twin. This relationship is special to me. Not every twin is happy with their label. I am and I wrote this book to celebrate being a twin like me.
 
Twin Enlightenment – Age 15
 
Jerrie and I exited the car dressed exactly alike from our matching shirts to matching shoes.
Our excitement barely contained between us and marked only by small gasps.
Today, the Twin Cities Twin Club gathered at the convention center.
Invitation to twins only…
Encouraged to dress alike…
Our first meeting with another set of twins whose outfits didn’t match made us pause.
Why?
They despised being twins. Only here because their parents made them come.
Why? We’re confused.
“I want to be me, not her. Not her twin. Just me,” one says.
“Yeah,” the other agrees.
“But…but you can’t,” I sputter.
“We can and will,” they say in unison.
We walk away and I lean slightly to the side and bump my arm against Jerrie’s arm.
Comforting in the contact.
She nods.
“How sad,” I whisper.
“I don’t understand,” Jerrie whispers.
“I don’t think we ever will.”
“Good.” 

Where do you get your inspiration? Where do you get your ideas for your books? I hear these questions often and, to be honest, when I first began writing, asked them as well. Oftentimes, I’d get frustrated when the author would answer with something vague such as: “Anywhere.” Or “Sometimes the idea pops in my head.” I want to demand specifics. I want to know how “anywhere” inspired them.

As I prepare for Book Five of my novella series THE LOST TRINKETS SERIES, I thought I’d aim to answer the question with a more details. The idea for the series itself originated from my playing MMORPG’s with my son. In many of these games, the created character can, either via combat or craft, obtain trinkets to wear which increase that character’s abilities either in combat, treasure finding, luck, skill, etc. Why not have a trinket in real life that would affect someone’s life in a positive way? THAT is the seed that began my series. From there, I wrote down various items/trinkets and what I thought their value should be.

For example, in A GUARDED DECREE, I wanted a special pipe which would help reveal valuable documents. My heroine, Shannon Pryce, also need a way to discover the value of said trinkets and attempt to return them in a non-traditional manner. I needed her to have challenges to face with each item I could draw out for a series. I gave her the gift of psychometry, which allowed her to discover secrets of each item she returned in private. I plopped her down in a small town full of nosy people which would challenge her quest to return the trinkets without revealing her gift.

I love the details of how I created this series and, I must provide full disclosure, sometimes, these ideas do pop in my head along with a million other ideas. But, in the end, it all works out. I’m so very excited to announce the release of the A GUARDED DECREE, book five in THE LOST TRINKETS SERIES.

​I’d love for you to join Shannon on her quest to return the trinkets she inherited in Petrie’s Crossing. Preorders start today!

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​Once again – Noodle’s name.
Don’t forget. As with most authors, our general idea does get changed and twisted around before and during the writing process. Suddenly, on this road trip I mentioned in my last blog, the name “Noodle” came to mind. Noodle is my dog’s name. It’s quirky and endearing. How on earth he got that name, I haven’t figure out yet. That’s another backstory I’ll need to create. I already have some of my heroine Jamison’s backstory. It’s not complete. But, I’ll need to know more about her before I hit this class. If nothing else, I must know her GMC (Goal, Motivation and Conflict). That will be key in helping me through this class I’m scheduled to take. By the way, the class I mentioned in my first blog…the whole reason I’m doing this new novel idea is for that turning point class which started May 1, 2017. My next post will wrap up this chat about Noodles and how his story is prepared to be written.