This month's Challenge Question from the Insecure Writer's Support Group had me smiling:
July 5 question - 99% of my story ideas come from dreams.
Where do yours predominantly come from?
The very first historical fiction novel I wrote, Standing Stones, came from a dream about mermaids off the coast of Northern Scotland and morphed into a four-book family saga in the mid-1840s. My next series, inspired by our travels, kicked off The Seventh Tapestry, an art crimes mystery about a mysterious tapestry that began in Scotland with ties to Paris.
Just two weeks ago, I was about 50% into drafting book 2 of this art crime mystery series, this time set in Egypt, when I had a dream.
Now, most of the time, I'm a slow writer, 250-400 words a day. But this story is flying off my keyboard. My working outline is complete with lists of possible scenes, and my character sketches are slowly building. I'm so entranced by this story that I already made the cover using images from Pixabay and templates from Book Brush. Here's my latest version of the cover (the first cover is posted below).
All I can say about being inspired by dreams is that I'm grateful for the dream that brought me this story. Writing this story is simply fun. I'm learning more about the mystery genre and dogs, Golden Retrievers to be precise. And I can't wait to see where Max the dog will take me next!
May your dreams inspire YOUR writing!
The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is a database resource site and support group for writers and authors. Featuring weekly guests and tips, a monthly blogfest gathering, a Facebook group, a book club, and thousands of links – all to benefit writers!
The awesome co-hosts for the July 5 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, Gwen Gardner, Pat Garcia, and Natalie Aguirre! With special thanks to Juneta Key for facilitating this month's post!
Why not join in by visiting our co-hosts and checking out the amazing IWSG bloggers!
IWSG Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
IWSG Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
May summer be a good month for you -- for dreaming and writing!
Hi, Beth, I love the Title, CHASING SHADOWS and the book cover. Just reading how the dream is leading you in the story makes me want to read the book. That is a reason to be thankful. All the best and please let me know when it will be release. Shalom shalom
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat, for your encouragement! I will alert you but most likely it will be 8 mos to a year before even the first draft is done. Maybe. I've never had a story attack me like this! And it's fun!
DeleteAs someone who can't remember dreams, I can't believe you can remember yours in so much detail and that yours inspired you to write so much faster. I'm a slow writer like you usually are
ReplyDeleteNot sure how fast these words will continue. But, thank you. for visiting and commenting. This morning's dream was about a truckdriver named Mick delivering a load of high-end sports cars to a military base. Only problem, one of the cars had a dancer hiding inside. Honestly, this story idea is going to vanish. I have no idea where it came from. I rarely watch tv except for Bones. I always thought "Perseverence furthers" matched my slow writing style.
DeleteLike you, I'm rather slow at setting down those words. I'm definitely not a NaNoWriMo writer. That seems like such a rush to the end, that I get dizzy thinking about it. Love your cover, BTW.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lee. I appreciate your blog posts and your writing as well. Slow may be what we do, but I'm trying out a new goal of 400 words a day. And thank you for the note about the cover. Everytime I look at it, I get excited about the story!
DeleteYour new story sounds fascinating. And so does the idea of a book cover with a dog as the focus of the image. Would you want me to try making such a cover? I'm not a professional, so I don't charge, but I enjoy playing with imagery and making pre-made book covers. Your summary hooked me. Maybe I could create a cover to your satisfaction. If you'd like me to try, you could contact me through email.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Olga. Yes, I also play around with book covers, and, yes, I will talk to you by e-mail. Thank you for being interested in my story.
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