I’m often asked where I get the inspiration for my stories, and how I came up with the idea of combining Historical Fiction with Paranormal Fiction. Well, you’ve probably read this before—since you’re here on a book blog—but my inspiration comes from the voices in my head.
When I sit down to write, the only way I can do it is if I’m in a kind of meditative state, waiting for input from my characters. It’s always been that way for me. When I try to create a character or a situation on my own, it never works.
Some people suggest the ideas for stories come from our subconscious. Could be … I recently heard a theory that our subconscious carries all our memories from all our ancestors. Imagine that? You could be related to Cleopatra and have everything she ever did stored up in there somewhere. You could be an ancestor of Robert the Bruce, Socrates, Albert Einstein—heck, the first person on earth! The possibilities are endless, as is your subconscious … or so they say.
I have a theory about the source of my writing, and it’s similar to that … but different. It goes like this: Everyone who was alive back in the 1700s is dead, right? That means no one alive today can say that something actually did or did not happen. That’s where the fiction part comes in. Fiction authors make things up. But here’s the thing: when I try to make things up, it doesn’t work. On the other hand, when I listen to the voices in my head (or let myself go with the “push”), the story comes clear. Couldn’t that mean—stay with me here—that the story actually happened? That the people back then are coming back and telling me their story? Technically I guess that would make it non-fiction. But really, can you imagine? Maybe these things really did happen!
And maybe that’s where my consistent theme keeps coming in to play. In my first novel, “Under the Same Sky”, my main characters, Maggie and Andrew, communicate through dreams from across the sea, and have done that their whole lives. Their messages rescue each other when they are threatened, and they fall in love through … the voices in their heads.
In my second novel, “Sound of the Heart”, Dougal hears the thoughts of men, though most of the time he’d rather not. He also hears the voices of his loved ones as if they are actually with him, when they could be miles away. It’s a bittersweet gift: they comfort him when he’s alone, but they also remind him of how truly alone he is.
I guess some people might say there’s a fine line between listening to the voices in your head (and paying attention to what they say) and being slightly … crazy. That’s okay with me. If this is crazy, I’m quite happy being that way. I love writing. I love opening up to those voices and living adventures that come from somewhere far beyond my horizon. And when Penguin published my books, I believe they were inadvertently saying it was okay to be a little bit nuts.
Have you ever stopped and listened … I mean really listened? Have you ever let your mind go, let whatever-it-is-out-there come in and “speak” to you? It might not be actual words. It might be a sense of something—an urge or a suggestion that swirls into your conscious mind. And here’s another question. Have you ever wanted to write a book or a short story or a poem or lyrics or anything? Then do it. Whether it’s pen and paper or a computer keyboard, set down those thoughts. Preserve them before they disappear. Because this crazy world needs more of those crazy voices.
Dougal MacDonnell, a fierce warrior from the Highlands of Scotland, is able to hear the thoughts of other men and dream how the future will unfold.Grand Prize
Devastated by the loss of his family during the Battle of Culloden in 1746, he fosters a deep hatred for the English. But when Glenna, the love of his life and a Scottish outlaw, is captured and shipped overseas, Dougal is forced to join an English army made of vanquished Scots. Now fighting on the side of his sworn enemies, he embarks on a journey that will take him across the seas to the colonies.
There he will risk everything for the chance to find his true love.
A signed copy of Sound of the Heart PLUS a four cd set of relaxation cds created by my incredibly talented musical friends, Cori Ashley and Ed Franks. I'll give you a little insight into why I chose these cds as my prize - I'm NOT saying Sound of the Heart is about relaxing … considering the wild adventures Dougal's in for, I doubt he was too relaxed! But Dougal has a gift, similar to his brother's gift. He can relax his mind and hear the thoughts of other men, but he can also sink into his thoughts and hear the sounds and voices of his loved ones as if they were right there with him. These cds were created to help you escape the stress and craziness of your days. Grab a cup of tea or glass of wine (your preference!), light a candle, maybe slip in to a bubblebath, and listen to the sound of your heart.
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