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.