Our guest blogger today is Lachesis Publishing author Lori Lapekes. Lori is the author of the Lachesis contemporary romance called For a Short Time about a young woman who goes through many changes in her life, including realizing whom she truly loves.
Our ongoing topic is What Inspires Your Writing – welcome Lori Lapekes . . .
Hmmm, where do I get my inspiration to write . . .
An inspiration from real life I’m a bit embarrassed to admit came from fictionalizing an old friend in order to, well, “fix” her somehow through much trial and error in the novel to make her a better person. Yet later I was terrified she’d read the novel one day and recognize herself, and I wasn’t sure how she’d take it.
During that time I happened to read the blog of another author, (a very popular author,) whose antagonist in his latest novel was a dragon of a woman who was not only inspired from someone he knew, but patterned directly after her. At a book signing party, he was horrified to see her arrive, book in hand, and march up to him. Certain he’d get a verbal tongue lashing and a threat to sue; he could barely stand to look at her as she stood above him.
Then, she grinned. Sincerely. And said it was a truly fantastic novel, and she particularly liked the witchy woman character . . . she was such a vivid character, where did he ever come up with her?
Hah!
I could imagine, very well, that author’s relief, as well as confusion, I’m sure! And I was no longer afraid that the real person behind the inspiration for my main character in For a Short Time would be toilet-papering my house or keying my car. She never did connect herself with the character in the novel, and even promoted it a bit for me on Facebook. To my relief, just as my character in the novel, she did turn out to be a much kinder, more empathetic woman in real life.
Another inspiration began with disturbing dreams; a recurring dream without an ending. The dreams were near-nightmares from a real life drama, and to have closure, I needed to write it out. That book became the college tear-jerker, The Gingerbread Boy, and its feel good sequel, The Cinnamon Girl.
And yet another time, while standing in line at an estate auction in the country to buy my items and leave, I became aware of a tall young man in front of me with flowing brown hair, wide shoulders over a blue flannelled shirt, and an easy smile. There was just something about this man. Perhaps it was the calm, sunny afternoon in the country blended with what seemed like an ancient wisdom and mystery in the young man’s eyes . . . and I had it. Just like that he became the main character in a novel that had been percolating in my mind for some time, but I’d needed more inspiration for the hero. That novel became Secrets of Catalpa Hall.
I’m now working on a funky new adult novel, something of a switch for me. The inspiration for this came from vividly recalling my own days out of college, and the odd bunch I roomed with. One roomie in particular actually sort of becomes the novel, but I’m certain she’ll never know, that was many moons ago. But I also believe it may be the most fun, whimsical story I’ve ever written, even if it has murder, mayhem . . . and a potential maniac nicknamed “Goggleman” as a main character!
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