How I Find Inspiration
Normally, my inspiration to write my stories comes from things that either occur in my life, or the life of a family member. I admit that history influences me greatly, and in my opinion part of reading a book is to take the reader to another place, time, or world.
My recently published book, "Goin' Postal: True Stories of a US Postal Worker & The Creek: Where Stories of the Past Come Alive" is a two books in one combo. I am sure that people will think I am nuts for taking two completely different genres and fusing them into one book--however, I wanted to demonstrate to the reader that I can write a humorous story, as well as a heart wrenching historical fiction. As my first book, I am quite happy with it. So what inspired me?
Obviously my job for the first part and the great people there. However, for The Creek, I was inspired by the area in which I grew up, and what seemed like psychic abilities of the children who lived there. The last section of the book discusses children who see "a man in a blue suit", a black soldier from "Vet Nam", and a Revolutionary War soldier.
I took these things the children used to talk about, and weaved a tale of the origins of each spirit. Each story takes place along the same creek area, changing throughout the decades, but etching a history as time moves along.
Part one discusses a soldier in 1777 who fails in love and wishes to marry-- that story has a couple good "wow, I wasn't expecting that" moments.
The next story takes place in the same location, along the creek, but in 1918. People are leaving Philadelphia because of the Influenza Pandemic. One family owns a brewery and tries to survive the flu, Prohibition, the Great Depression, and loss.
The third story takes place in 1966 when a boy comes home to tell his parents he joined the Army to become a medic. The family must survive the turmoil of the 60s/70s, and the emotions that come with it.
The fourth story tells of the present day, and how the people of the past try to communicate with the children of the creek area today.
I am currently working on the first book of a series, "The McClusky Series: Jane's Journey". When I traced my family tree, one branch sprang out of Ireland, landing in Philadelphia in 1820. So, how original of me, in my book, Jane comes to America to start a new life and has conflict after conflict to deal with. I am hoping to have it published by June.
My recently published book, "Goin' Postal: True Stories of a US Postal Worker & The Creek: Where Stories of the Past Come Alive" is a two books in one combo. I am sure that people will think I am nuts for taking two completely different genres and fusing them into one book--however, I wanted to demonstrate to the reader that I can write a humorous story, as well as a heart wrenching historical fiction. As my first book, I am quite happy with it. So what inspired me?
Obviously my job for the first part and the great people there. However, for The Creek, I was inspired by the area in which I grew up, and what seemed like psychic abilities of the children who lived there. The last section of the book discusses children who see "a man in a blue suit", a black soldier from "Vet Nam", and a Revolutionary War soldier.
I took these things the children used to talk about, and weaved a tale of the origins of each spirit. Each story takes place along the same creek area, changing throughout the decades, but etching a history as time moves along.
Part one discusses a soldier in 1777 who fails in love and wishes to marry-- that story has a couple good "wow, I wasn't expecting that" moments.
The next story takes place in the same location, along the creek, but in 1918. People are leaving Philadelphia because of the Influenza Pandemic. One family owns a brewery and tries to survive the flu, Prohibition, the Great Depression, and loss.
The third story takes place in 1966 when a boy comes home to tell his parents he joined the Army to become a medic. The family must survive the turmoil of the 60s/70s, and the emotions that come with it.
The fourth story tells of the present day, and how the people of the past try to communicate with the children of the creek area today.
I am currently working on the first book of a series, "The McClusky Series: Jane's Journey". When I traced my family tree, one branch sprang out of Ireland, landing in Philadelphia in 1820. So, how original of me, in my book, Jane comes to America to start a new life and has conflict after conflict to deal with. I am hoping to have it published by June.
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