Everywhere, Inspiration

Growing up, I wasn't short of inspiration for stories. I spent many of my early years gushing over Disney films, learning well that a combination of epic love, adventure and defiance makes for good storytelling.

I spent a lot of time in the company of my stuffed toys; taking them on similar journeys, giving them voices and stories all their own.

I even enjoyed a bit of pretend myself, imagining I was the heroine of my own epic tale. I imagined even more so, when my favourite show, Xena The Warrior Princess came on. Admittedly, I made pretend swords out of ordinary house items and tried to mimic her cool sword stance from the opening credits. And I think anyone who has watched that show, has tried that so dont pretend you didn't.

As I grew older, I started to take an interest in supernatural beings - werewolves and vampires, witches too though I've always had a fascination about them. The Wicked Witch of the West is a personal favourite of mine. Now considering she is evil, you'd think that's odd but read or see Gregory Maguire's Wicked and you may see her in a different light entirely. Anyway, I digress.

As well as taking inspiration from films, shows and novels, I also find inspiration in historical figures.

Even as a child, I have always admired and idolised Elizabeth I. She was such an incredible and resilient figurehead. Born in a time where women were believed to be weak, emotional and without ability to really think for themselves. Elizabeth proved so much and to so many. She provided for her people, protected them, loved them above all others and went down in history as the Virgin Queen. Despite her turbulent and distressing childhood, she didn't become a bitter woman. She became strong in the face of advertisy, she stayed true to herself and really believed in herself. If there was ever a time and place I could go back to, it would Elizabethan England.

Admittedly, Victoria was impressive too. Her reign saw the advance of industry, education, housing, hygiene, travel, so many more things that we today take for granted. She had Prince Albert by her side for much of that time, supporting her and driving forward the ideas of the future. It's difficult to imagine what life must have been like for her, when he suddenly died.

If I wasn't a writer, I would quite happily be a historian. I love getting lost in history. I love visiting abandoned ruins and castles; imagining what life may have been like in times gone by. Tudors are an obsession, there is no doubt, I can talk about them all day, but another time I have a keen interest is that of the medieval.

I have based two of my own novels in medieval times. I love any opportunity to explore an old castle and imagine the lives of people living there, be they poor or rich. The walls, the worn walkways and stairs tell a story, you only need to think it to see it. I love to imagine the elegant dresses of noble women, the shining armour of strong men and charming words they have spoken to one another. The traditional dances, the music, even the more gruesome aspects like punishments and justice. It was a time so different to our own, and that's why I find it so fascinating. As a writer, you can imagine so much more than what is written in the history books.

I take inspiration wherever I can find it, be they from long life interests, new places, faces, sounds, music, books. It can take but a simple, single phrase sometimes and a story begins to bloom.

What will yours be?

In Friday's posting.... The real struggles of being a writer.