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.

The next party of this creation is: The heroine.

Hello everyone! This is my journey continuation regarding my creative process on a new book. If you read my last blog post, you know I have one character sort of fleshed out. The dog. He’s a perceptually lazy, overweight, half-breed, cadaver dog. Next, my heroine. The dog’s human. They say to write what you know, or at least do some research. I need to get out more since I quit my regular day job. I also wanted to find something I could be passionate about that wouldn’t require me to leave my writing for really long periods of time. I chose volunteer work. I wanted something local. Since my book’s dog needed a human, I decided my heroine would be that human. I haven’t decided if I’ll do this from first person POV or third. That’s a decision for later.

Once again, I’m back to the internet. I find a local Search and Rescue group that is close enough to me to allow little time to get to the training classes. I chose the Hall County EMA Services. I made contact via their website to find out how to become a volunteer member. There is a lot of information on this site of theirs and I read voraciously, knowing I won’t be able to memorize it all. But, I can get a good idea on what will be expected and how to begin. I receive a very quick response (same day) letting me know when the next training class will be, what form I need to bring with me and how the process works.

There is a once a month in-class training day and once a month field training day. Sounds reasonable. I commit myself to doing this. I notify my family members. My daughter is thrilled that her “hermit author” mother will be going out and making new friends. Right. Here is their site: http://www.hallcountysar.org/. Check out the pictures on what is carried in those backpacks they carry. Wow. Now my heroine’s name is going to be Jamison. I love that it’s a twist on a masculine name for a woman. I’m driving to a friend’s house and thinking about this story. Jamison will be new to the local Search and Rescue group. But, she and her dog have gone through training in a very small town four states away. She feels more training is needed. Plus, she has a gift. She can see “ghosts”. When she goes out, her dog is not thrilled that she finds the general area of the body before he does. Therefore, he will usually wait until she gets them in the general area before he does his thing. Not too bad, so far. I’m liking this! Let me know what you think so far. 

Let me tell you a story about how Noodle came about.

The next several blogs will be about my creative process on a new novel and my journey for this special dog.

A good friend and critique partner strongly recommended a course taught by Laura Baker at the Writer’s University site (https://writeruniv.wordpress.com/). The title of the class is: MASTER CLASS: Turning Points. It’s a two-week long course and Carrie said it really helped her plan her novel. It’s been my experience that although I have had published four novellas and a full-length novel, I can never learn enough. I think it comes from my days in a corporate job where continuous education is required. In many jobs, it is and in others, it’s strongly recommended. Because I am by own boss, I have declared it a requirement. The reason is that no matter how many workshops, on-line courses, books and discussions I’ve been in, I always either learn something new, or am reminded of something I’ve forgotten.

It never hurts to improve your handle on the craft anytime, anywhere possible. That’s my own opinion. So, Carrie suggested that I come up with a new idea for a novel to use in this class. Since she knows I’m one of those <gasp> plotters, she didn’t think it would be as rich of an experience if I used a novel I have already plotted. “It’s a turning point class, you see?” I saw. But, I’m currently working on a novella series, as well as a four book novel series. And yes, most of them are already plotted out.

Ergo, my dilemma. Come up with a new idea for this class. I have one month. Since I write paranormal, there must be a ghost. I love my ghosts. Okay, one character done: Ghost. Hero and Heroine make the other two. But, then, who are they? Where do they come from? What is the basic story idea? I need to tell you that I have four-legged family members. Both cats and dogs are included in my household. There we go, a dog. I’ll have a dog in the book.

I’m watching television one night and the show includes a scene where a cadaver dog is called in to help locate a body. The FBI agent snickers about the dog being too heavyweight and slow to do a good job. Well, lo and behold, the dog finds the body and the FBI agent must apologize. I cheered. It was all about perception, which is another term that my old day job impressed upon me. This got me thinking that I’d like my novel’s cadaver dog to be the same way, or very similar. I researched what training was involved for canines to be cadaver dogs and which breed worked best. I came up with the breed mix. I don’t care for perfect people or animals. Ha! Now, I have my imperfect, perceptually lazy, overweight half breed cadaver dog for my book. That part is done. By the way, the picture is of a bloodhound. Which is 1/2 of Noodle's bloodline.

The other day, I visited a writer friend of mine and we had lunch. Afterwards, we headed over to Stonehaven Metaphysical shop on Broad Street. I love this place as they have such a large variety of stones and gems available. As I peered into the cases and drooled over the various items for sale, I looked up and noticed this sign.

I laughed and asked the sales woman if I could take a photo. She gave me permission. I had to share. I love this idea and if I had young kids, this would definitely terrify me into making them behave.

​Just a thought.