B. Roman's Blog: Inspiration From Unexpected Sources - Posts Tagged "inspiration"

Have you ever noticed how people are like light bulbs? They come in many sizes and shapes, varying in their intensity and in their ability to bring us out of the darkness that hovers over us. They are dim, bright, or brilliant depending on their beliefs and behaviors.

So it is with the delightful characters in my newest book “Alicia and the Light Bulb People in Star Factory 13.” How did this story come about? An essay that I wrote many years ago inspired this thought in my head:

Where do light bulbs go when they burn out? Do they stay dead forever? Or can they be regenerated to live a brand new life with a brand new purpose? If they’re lucky they go to Star Factory 13 to become glorious stars in the sky…

To learn how bulbs become stars, well you'll just have to read the book, an enchanting tale of friendship, courage, and realizing your star potential through the magic of believing!

But for us "older kids" I thought you might find some enlightenment in the original essay:

Have you ever noticed how people are like light bulbs? They come in many sizes and shapes, varying in their intensity and in their ability to bring us out of the darkness that hovers over us.
For example, we have all met a Dim Bulb. This one offers the faint promise of light, but casts off shadows instead, making it difficult for us to see clearly. Sometimes we are forced to sit under the dull glow of this bulb, for there is no other light available. Or so we think But if we are wise, we will switch it off, sit quietly in the dark, and wait for the dawn to break in our hearts. And when it does, we realize this bulb was not an emanator of true light.

The Three-Way Bulb, on the other hand, is certainly never dull. This one can brighten and dwindle with equal aplomb. You may find it frustrating to deal with this bulb, especially if it glows hot while you need a softer light, or if you are operating at peak energy and the bulb prefers to preserve its own. Then again, it can be fascinating, if you are an adventurous soul, to try and catch this bulb at just that precise moment when its brightness matches yours. But it rarely happens.

The Flickering Bulb has a maddening, inconsistent beam. It’s uncertain whether it wants to stay on or off. Usually, this bulb lets go with a surge of power that almost exceeds its wattage, but it dims just before it burns out. Unless this bulb learns to equalize its glow, it will eventually flicker and die, leaving you to mourn its passing while you search for a candle to help you find your way.

Every day is Christmas for the Twinkle Light Bulb. It really isn’t very bright, but it certainly is consistent. It just keeps popping off happy, spirited little flashes of illumination hour after hour, no matter what adverse conditions are in its environment. If you concentrate on this bulb long enough, you may find its glimmer contagious, and soon you’ll be simulating its sparkle. But, after awhile, the undaunted glitter becomes more than mere mortals can bear. In a fit of Scrooge-itis, we are moved to pull the Twinkle light out of its socket. Even Christmas cheer can be over done.

The Flood Lamp is a bulb of overpowering brilliance. It beams and shines and radiates with an obtrusive persistence. No matter which direction you move, you can’t escape its blinding glare. This bulb never dims, flickers or fades, but instead of energizing you, its intruding presence leaves you weary and praying for a power blackout. The Flood Lamp never shows you the way, but obscures it with its demanding desire to dazzle.

Then, there is the Long-Life Bulb. It’s a rather versatile light - sometimes hot and fiery, other times warm and soothing. It’s never so bright that it hurts to look at it, yet it never dwindles. Rather, it softens and yields to your needs for just the right light at the right time. And even if you pull the shades, draw the curtains, or cover your eyes in fear and self pity, its comforting rays are there, gently lifting you up to it until once again you bask in its captivating glow. Because it emanates a fine light, it penetrates your body and filters into your soul, making you, yourself, shine from within. You can never replace this bulb, for it is unique. Oh, you may find other kinds of bulbs that brighten your life now and then, but none like this one. And even when you think it has gone out, and left you stumbling in the darkness, all you need do is remember it, envision it as it once was, and its radiance will be there, white and pure and all encompassing.
Yes, there are many different kinds of Bulbs in the world, but only One True Light. If you are lucky enough to find it, reach out and touch it, unafraid.

We all have a love/hate relationship with our books. An idea germinates and then flourishes. We are in love with the plot, the characters, the whole idea of putting them into a manuscript. At last we are done. It's a book. But did it truly say what you wanted it to say? Did you express eloquently the vision in your head? Ah, yes, you say. I'm so happy with the result. Shortly thereafter perhaps when it's finally in print and out into the world you might say, "OMG, did I really write that?" (love it or hate it)

Then there are times that we have a book that so resonates within us it doesn't matter what the world or reviewers say (good things, we hope...). It's our favorite book. Somehow it just flowed from our consciousness to our fingers as we type (or write long hand). It is transformative and inspired and says exactly what we wanted it to say.

For me, "Alicia and the Light Bulb People in Star Factory 13" is my favorite book. It began as an inspired essay of mine "Reaching for the White Light" (found on my blog) which compares the colorful personalities of people to light bulbs and the influence they have on our lives. They can be dim or twinkly, glaring or annoying. But there is only one true white light: "Stumbling in the darkness, all you need do is remember it, envision it as it once was, and its radiance will be there, white and pure and all encompassing. Yes, there are many different kinds of Bulbs in the world, but only One True Light. If you are lucky enough to find it, reach out and touch it, unafraid."

That is what I express in "Alicia and the Light Bulb People in Star Factory 13." Through friendship, courage, and the magic of believing we can all reach our Star Potential. I chose to put this into a children's fantasy to demonstrate the whimsical nature of the story and inspire children to overcome any obstacle or challenge in their lives. But there is no age limit to its message and I encourage adults to read it as well. As one reviewer said, "Your life will be forever changed."

Where did the idea come for “Alicia & the Light Bulb People in Star Factory 13.” An essay that I wrote many years ago inspired this story of friendship, courage, and realizing your Star potential through the magic of believing. (Kindle edition 99c for a short time):

Have you ever noticed how people are like light bulbs? They come in many sizes and shapes, varying in their intensity and in their ability to bring us out of the darkness that hovers over us.

For example, we have all met a Dim Bulb. This one offers the faint promise of light, but casts off shadows instead, making it difficult for us to see clearly. Sometimes we are forced to sit under the dull glow of this bulb, for there is no other light available. Or so we think But if we are wise, we will switch it off, sit quietly in the dark, and wait for the dawn to break in our hearts. And when it does, we realize this bulb was not an emanator of true light.

The Three-Way Bulb, on the other hand, is certainly never dull. This one can brighten and dwindle with equal aplomb. You may find it frustrating to deal with this bulb, especially if it glows hot while you need a softer light, or if you are operating at peak energy and the bulb prefers to preserve its own. Then again, it can be fascinating, if you are an adventurous soul, to try and catch this bulb at just that precise moment when its brightness matches yours. But it rarely happens.

The Flickering Bulb has a maddening, inconsistent beam. It’s uncertain whether it wants to stay on or off. Usually, this bulb lets go with a surge of power that almost exceeds its wattage, but it dims just before it burns out. Unless this bulb learns to equalize its glow, it will eventually flicker and die, leaving you to mourn its passing while you search for a candle to help you find your way.

Every day is Christmas for the Twinkle Light Bulb. It really isn’t very bright, but it certainly is consistent. It just keeps popping off happy, spirited little flashes of illumination hour after hour, no matter what adverse conditions are in its environment. If you concentrate on this bulb long enough, you may find its glimmer contagious, and soon you’ll be simulating its sparkle. But, after awhile, the undaunted glitter becomes more than mere mortals can bear. In a fit of Scrooge-itis, we are moved to pull the Twinkle light out of its socket. Even Christmas cheer can be over done.

The Flood Lamp is a bulb of overpowering brilliance. It beams and shines and radiates with an obtrusive persistence. No matter which direction you move, you can’t escape its blinding glare. This bulb never dims, flickers or fades, but instead of energizing you, its intruding presence leaves you weary and praying for a power blackout. The Flood Lamp never shows you the way, but obscures it with its demanding desire to dazzle.

Then, there is the Long-Life Bulb. It’s a rather versatile light - sometimes hot and fiery, other times warm and soothing. It’s never so bright that it hurts to look at it, yet it never dwindles. Rather, it softens and yields to your needs for just the right light at the right time. And even if you pull the shades, draw the curtains, or cover your eyes in fear and self pity, its comforting rays are there, gently lifting you up to it until once again you bask in its captivating glow. Because it emanates a fine light, it penetrates your body and filters into your soul, making you, yourself, shine from within. You can never replace this bulb, for it is unique. Oh, you may find other kinds of bulbs that brighten your life now and then, but none like this one. And even when you think it has gone out, and left you stumbling in the darkness, all you need do is remember it, envision it as it once was, and its radiance will be there, white and pure and all encompassing.

Yes, there are many different kinds of Bulbs in the world, but only One True Light. If you are lucky enough to find it, reach out and touch it, unafraid.

Some writers are quite transactional and natural story tellers, looking at their work as just that - a project they enjoy but is just an interesting and hopefully profitable venture. But, for some of us, our story is more personal, more intimate, or develops into that over time.
Initially, it’s a love-hate relationship; it frustrates and angers you with its demands, then brings you joy when the intentions you brought to the relationship are realized: seeing the visions in your head transcribed perfectly on the page. Of course, getting there is sometimes a slog.
You have an idea, a premise, an inkling of the characters and conflicts, maybe an outline and some rough scenes. It’s been slow go because you are researching every minor little detail to make the story credible and are drowning in facts, minutia and web links. It’s work. It’s pages and pages of research printed out and scribbled with notes - where does this go, do I need this, do I need more? etc.
But somewhere along the line, as you plug away and add more substance, you begin to fall in love with your story. It doesn’t mean you suddenly think your book is the great American novel or will grab an agent’s attention before it’s even finished. What it means is that you now have to nurture that story, hold it dear, do right by it; It means that you will now protect that story, its pieces and parts, beginning, middle and eventually the ending - make it the best it can be, to represent the best that you are at that moment.
Even though it’s still a hot mess, and you have endless rewrites and edits ahead; even when the scenes are all out of order, the pieces and parts don’t quite fit, and you feel you’ve overestimated your ability to pull off such a complex plot - this is when you stay the course, pour more love into it and vow not to desert it.
It becomes a mantle you wear, and it warms you, envelops you, becomes integral to your consciousness. You allow your characters to grow and “gift” you with their version of the story’s truth, and write an ending you never could have imagined from your left brain.
When you are done with this, your most polished perfect creation to date, you set it aside, exhausted and relieved and content. You offer it up to be published and let it go, set it free to find its niche in the marketplace, like a child you’ve raised with your values and you now have little control over its path ahead.
At last you are able take a breath. Exhilaration builds up, an idea, a premise, a vision takes hold. And with it, there is the promise that your next book will be ever more challenging, more inspired - and more loved.