THE FOUNT OF
INSPIRATION
People often ask me where I get my inspiration for my
novels. Inspiration comes from my life experiences and can come in the shape of
an image I’ve seen, a need to understand relationships, or events that happen in
the world near and far, or perhaps I’ve overheard a conversation that gets my
mind ticking over.
My debut novel, “African Hearts”, was inspired by a photo I
saw of an African boy standing next to a mud hut when I was in my grade three
social studies class. This image remained with me until four years ago when the
Watoto Children’s Choir visited our city and we billeted two of the orphaned children
and their chaperone. Our conversation turned to discussions about the biggest
challenge for the children. When I heard it was their sense of belonging, my
heart saddened. I understood their needs. I lost both my parents by the time I
was eight and I’d always wondered where I belonged in the world, that seemed so
big and imposing with many decisions to be made regarding my future.
My second novel came through my need to understand the world
around me while I was in my teens. During the nineteen sixties and seventies,
in the country town in which I lived, some of the teenage girls disappeared for
several months and then they returned with no explanation for their absence. My
insatiable curiosity got the better of me and investigations revealed these
girls left to go to the city to have babies. This resulted in a series of ‘what
if’ questions, and “Web of Lies” was created.
My third book, which is under consideration by a publisher
as I write, was inspired by my experiences as a military wife.
Inspiration is around us everywhere, all we have to do is be
open to tapping into our environment every moment of our day. I carry a small notebook
with me wherever I go and when I see or hear an unusual tidbit, I write it down
for later reference.
The experts tell us to write about what we know; sound
advice, but I would also add that it’s important to use your imagination to
give it a unique twist that makes the work yours. Readers will identify with
your characters if you write about the everyday lessons of life. They will be
involved in the characters’ journeys, learn something about themselves and know
they aren’t alone. At the end of the book your reader will be satisfied and
look forward to your next work. Tap into the world around you, it is your fount
of inspiration.
About Laura O’Connell
Laura enjoys writing stories about second chances in love
and life. She calls the Gold Coast home, however, her curious nature leads her
on adventures to locations that surprise and inspire her. Laura has a passion
for telling a good story set in places where she has lived and travelled. Her
first book, African Hearts, was
shortlisted in the 2011 Caleb Prize.
Laura around the web:
Book Blurb – Web of Lies
High school sweethearts, Stephanie and Lachlan are torn apart
by circumstance, bad decisions and a web of lies, leaving an unknown future for
their son, Ryan.
Eight years later they reconnect, but the time apart has
changed them. The family had made decisions based on lies and deceit and now
must find a way to either reveal the truth or find another option. On the
surface, their arrangements seemed flawless, but dig deeper, and the people
they thought they knew aren’t as they appear.
Lachlan and Stephanie are forced to confront the
consequences of their actions and the entire family is compelled to reveal the
truth, find forgiveness, and renew loving one another. But the hardest decision
is still to come … where does Ryan live?
I like 'write what you wonder' better than 'what you know' too. Much more fun that way! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jemi
DeleteThanks for reading and commenting!
Yes, Jemi, 'wonder' is another way of stretching our thinking and imagination. Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteGreat advice. I already do this. :D
ReplyDeleteGreat Stina, thanks for dropping by. It's comforting to know others are thinking about the same things as me. :)
DeleteThanks for reading and commenting Stina!
DeleteI loved learning where you get your inspiration. It's always neat to find out where stories originate. Your book sounds like a great read!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Shelly. I like sharing with others.
DeleteHi Shelley,
DeleteThanks for coming by!
Aww, that last line about where Ryan will live sounds so sad. I hope his story ends well!
ReplyDeleteHi Deniz, you will have to read the book to find out. I hope you get a pleasant surprise. :)
DeleteIt's really intriguing Deniz, I wonder what we will do in such a situation?
DeleteLaura, I loved hearing about your inspiration. It tells me a lot about you and your writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Theresa for coming along to chat with Laura!
DeleteThanks for dropping by, Theresa. I enjoy sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow, those disappearing girls now makes me want to write a story about that!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts, Laura.
Hi Trisha, trust those instincts, if you feel you need to write about those girls, do it!! Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteHi Trisha,
DeleteMake sure to let me know when you pen this story!
Thanks for coming by!
Hi Nas and Laura ... I love the thought of African hearts, having lived out there for a while I often wonder about the human spirit ..
ReplyDeleteWhile your Web of Lies - sounds a very good read - thanks Nas for letting us know about Laura ..
Cheers to you both .. Hilary
Hi Hilary, Thanks so much for dropping in. I appreciate everyone who takes time out of their busy schedule to say 'hello', because I know how busy we all are. I hope you are able to find time to read both of my books.
ReplyDeleteA huge thank you Nas for having me here today. It's been a pleasure to meet you all on this blog.
Hi Hilary!
DeleteThanks so much for coming along to read this post!
African Hearts is an awesome story. So is Web Of Lies!
Reading (and of course writing) allows us to travel to wonderful locations and experience such a wide variety of different stories. Yay for inspiration and imagination.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynda!
DeleteHi Lynda, thanks for dropping by. You are right, we can also get lots of inpiration from reading.
DeleteGreat post about inspiration. There are a lot of things a writer can draw ideas from--it's always hard to name just one source when someone asks where inspiration comes from!
ReplyDeleteThank you Golden for coming along to read this post!
DeleteThanks, Golden, I agree. Thanks for taking the tome to comment. :)
DeleteLaura, thank you for sharing your inspiration. I love hearing the story behind the story!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Talli. I appreciate your encouragement.
DeleteLaura has some great, wise words for writers. Thanks Laura and Nas!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lydia, I hope I've helped you.
DeleteAwww, thanks for sharing your inspiration. So cool!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Ibdiamond. :)
DeleteFor fiction to be really convincing, it has to be rooted in real life.
ReplyDeleteMaria, you have that spot on! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteLaura - I loved your post. It's so true about inspiration coming from everywhere and twisting around other inspirations with a bit of imagination thrown into the mix. I'm a military wife, too, so I understand that pull.
ReplyDeleteWaves to Nas :)
Hello, Carol, I'm a little late getting back here. Thanks for dropping by. It is nice that we are military sisters. :)
DeleteI agree with Maria Perry Mohan. It sounds like this is exactly what the author has done. And a third book under consideration? Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the congrats Cleemckenzie. Much appreciated.
DeleteI really like the advice about using imagination to give writing a unique twist that makes a work personal.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Cynthia. I hope I've encouraged you in your writing. :)
DeleteNas, Thank you so much for having me on this blog. It's been a lot of fun interacting with readers and sharing experience.
ReplyDeleteLaura.