I am often asked where I get my inspiration for my stories, and I must confess that many of my ideas come from dreams. You see, my mind must be quite twisted. At least you'd think so if you could see what I dream about some nights.I see dead people. I've always been haunted--by horrifying images, mind-numbing sounds and things that go creak in the night. These dreams are creations, no matter how scary or horrible they may be. My creations.
Perhaps my dreams stem from all those horror movies I watched as a teen. Or perhaps it's all Stephen King's fault. Yeah, let's blame the King. After all, he got me in trouble plenty of times when my parents would yell at me to put down my book and turn off my light. Thank God for flashlights and Duracell!
Some people ask me if my books are written from true experiences. Yes, I once was a young girl living on an island and being bullied while dreaming of killer whales and wolves. Yes, I once traveled down the Nahanni River in search of my father who had been presumed dead but was actually alive and in danger. Yes, I'm actually "Jasi McLellan", a psychic government agent who hunts down serial killers and is haunted by a dead girl in my closet. Yes, I once saw ghost children outside a cabin near Cadomin Cave, Alberta. Yes, I once fell madly in love with a handsome recluse who lives on a private island in the Bahamas.
I see dead people. It's not my fault. They're in my dreams. They're in my head.
And they want out.
That's why I write. Well, one of the reasons. After all, every fictional character is "dead" until a writer brings them to life. That's my goal with every book. To bring you characters that you'll love, hate, feel something for.
I see dead people. I hear them too. Right now they're saying, "Go to bed. You've got some dreaming to do."Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian suspense author.
http://www.cherylktardif.com
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Becky wrote: "And we appreciate all the writing you do--those characters have to breathe and get out somehow! :)"Thank you, Becky. :-)
Something else we have in common, Cheryl. Many of my stories started in my dreams. And with weird synchronicity, I was just talking about this with Sherry Isaac (Romance and Beyond) who has invited me to do a guest blog in June.I have to admit though, as much as I enjoy your books, I'm glad I don't have your dreams.
I often wake up dreaming of my characters. Reminds me of that wonderful quip: You know you're a writer when you'd rather spend time with your characters than your friends.
Very cool, Alison, that you have a guest spot lined up on Sherry Isaac's blog. And yeah, some days I wish I didn't dream at all. Or remember them. Why can't I have good dreams? :-)Melodie, I can only imagine what YOUR dreams are about. I've read ROWENA THROUGH THE WALL! lol Just how much time are you spending with your dream men...? ;-)
