What inspires your writing?
I’ve been pulled in several literary directions recently, and I just wanted to take a moment to check in.
I began plans for my third book by engaging in Author Accelerator. I love having weekly deadlines, and the helpful insights of my Author Accelerator book coach, Kemlo Aki. This week, I’ll be working on the opening scene.
The two sixth grade classes at my older son’s school are putting on productions of MacBeth, and Julius Caesar. I’ve been so impressed by my kid’s total embracing of Shakespeare that I wanted to lend my support and encouragement. It’s been a while since I’ve painted, but I found myself challenged with the task of designing the stage to suggest both a brooding and murderous Scotland, and a sun-swathed Roman betrayal. Common to most writers, English was always my favorite subject, but I am especially fond of Ancient Rome, so the research has been akin to a Julia Cameron/The Artist’s Way “Artist’s Date.”
Speaking of Ancient Rome, my next book will be a modern retelling of a comedy-drama (“dramedy”) written in the 1700s about the ascent of Emperor Nero to the throne. I’m still playing with the details, but it’ll likely be set here in the Pacific Northwest in the early 2000s.
On Halloween, I was roped into showing up at my fourth-grader’s classroom dressed as a fortune teller. My son and I had created 60 secret fortunes and enclosed them in small envelopes. Sitting with each student in the fourth grade and talking about his or her hopes and who they love was the best “treat” I ever received on Halloween, second only to seeing both my kids in jackets and ties for the first time since they were wee ones without specific clothing opinions. (They trick-or-treated dressed as the 10th and 11th doctors from Dr. Who.)
But wait! The literary good times don’t end there. On Wednesday, November 2nd, the first annual Teen Story Slam will kick off. The brainchild of a small circle of committed writer friends, we’re very proud to see this opportunity finally arrive.
Please comment below with whatever is inspiring you. Or tell us if you’ve had an Artist’s Date of your own!