Inspiration for Stories
by Annie West
Writers are asked time and again ‘Where do you get your story ideas?’. It’s the sort of question that can drive a writer crazy, for the truth is that sometimes we have no idea.
Occasionally though we can pinpoint a thought, a place, a tidbit of news, a face in a crowd. Something that sparked an idea that inspired us to sit down and write a scene, then a chapter and eventually a whole book. Amazing, isn’t it, where ideas can lead you?
My last Harlequin Presents release, The Greek Tycoon’s Unexpected Wife, came about when I was working on another story and the words ‘The Unwanted Wife’ popped into my head. It sounded like a great title so I jotted it down, intending to come back to it one day. What actually happened is that I thought about it continually while I was finishing the other book. Why was she unwanted? What had gone wrong with the relationship? Who were these people?
I even got to the stage of asking writer friends why my poor heroine was unwanted! They came up with all sorts of fascinating ideas but I knew none of them were right for this story. For, yes, I was convinced Tessa (I had her name by that stage) had a story and I’d know it when I came across it. Fortunately, at last, my brain kicked into gear with what became Stavros and Tessa’s unique story and it didn’t matter a jot that the final title was different. That working name served its purpose in kick starting me. Since then I’ve thought about other things that influenced that particular story. They include friends who lived in South America, who had amazing stories to tell of emerald mines and brushes with armed guerrillas, a house on the Greek island of Hydra, ancient jewelery in the Heraklion Museum, buckets of iced champagne in an old Alfred Hitchcock film and a man with the most amazing eyes.
By comparison, my next Presents release The Desert King’s Pregnant Bride was triggered by a place. On the east coast of Australia, north of Sydney, is the Hunter Valley. Some may know it as the home of terrific wines! The upper Hunter though is acclaimed for the quality of its thoroughbred stables. I used to drive through there often, enjoying the lush greenery as the hills closed in. The horse studs are impressive and there’s a lot of foreign investment in those estates, including from the Middle East.
On a trip past neatly-fenced pastures and king-sized stables I began playing that lovely writer’s game of ‘what if’.
What if a hard working local girl, who knew far more about horses than men, fell for the visiting owner of the estate? What if he was more than a wealthy horse breeder, but a man with much bigger things on his mind, like suddenly inheriting a kingdom that needs all his skills and energy to drag it into the 21st century? What if, despite the wariness they’ve learned over the years, they’re drawn together so powerfully that their meeting has irreversible consequences? What if he believes he can never again give his heart to any woman but feels duty bound to care for the woman whose life is now inextricably bound to his? Soon I had two fascinating characters and a story that rolled out before me.
Some of the other things that played a part in creating this story were sweet middle eastern tea, memories of a visit to the vast Ottoman palace of Topkapi and of my first sniff of Attar of Roses, photos of stark mountain landscapes, a hunky engineer who worked in remote areas, vividly coloured handwoven rugs, a friend’s belly dance costumes (even though there’s no belly dancing in the book) and another friend’s affection for her Arab horse. The result was Maggie and Khalid’s story: a Cinderella tale with a difference.
I can never predict in advance what will be the key that unlocks a new story for me, but I love thinking about what inspired me along the way. Have you found a chance word, sight, sound or smell can inspire you? Maybe to write a book or take up a new hobby or try something different? What inspires you? I’d love to hear.
Warm wishes,
Annie
The Desert King's Pregnant Bride
Annie’s current release, The Desert King’s Pregnant Bride, is available now in the UK, in December in Australia/New Zealand and in April in North America. You can find out more on her website at http://www.annie-west.com or visit the UK Mills and Boon (Harlequin) site to buy the book or read an excerpt.
Also through the end of October, you can win a copy of both Annie’s upcoming release, The Desert King’s Pregnant Bride, and Abby Green’s latest book—details are on Annie’s contest page. Be sure to check it out today!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, Annie! Congrats on your latest release. I’m so looking forward to reading it.
The ‘what if’ exercise is powerful. It’s amazing how one idea leads to another, and the next thing you know, you’ve got a plot. Sometimes my best story ideas come when I’m doing mundane tasks like housework. If I’m stuck on a scene, I’ll get up and tackle the ironing or something. By the time the iron heats up, I usually have some sort of resolution for my problem. Unfortunately, that often means I leave shirts half-ironed because I need to write the idea down before I forget it.
Hi, Annie! I’m a huge fan and believe that all Harlequin Presents authors are just wonderful!
It’s nice to hear how you derive inspiration from all things normal. It gives hope to those of us who have aspirations. :-)
AJ
Hi Annie! What a fascinating post. You’re right – you never know where those ideas are going to come from. I think as writers, our antennae are always revolving as we try to pick up something from the air!
Congratulations on both Stavros and Tessa and Khalid and Maggie. They’re both gorgeous books. And both feature drool-worthy heroes!
Hi!
Great post! But I’m interested in knowing what research you do (if any) on locations. I’ve read some books that I wondered how they ever came up with the idea that the land they’re describing is the way it is (mainly because I’ve been there and haven’t EVER seen it the way the author describes)…does that make any sense?
I suppose if you’re always using “fictional” places, it doesn’t matter. But I was just curious because you mentioned Sydney, Australia as where your next book takes place. Have you ever been there?
Vanessa,
What an excuse for not finishing the ironing (lol)! How great that works for you. Thanks for sharing.
I know what you mean about doing mundane chores to help let your mind wander. That often happens to me when I’m gardening or doing housework. Best of all though is a hot shower – the warm water seems to spark my creative side and often produces snippets of ideas that give my story depth.
I love that ‘what if’ process. Especially if the very first idea is tsomething that really grabs you! It’s amazing where your thoughts can lead.
Annie
Hi Alyson,
How nice to hear you so enthusiastic about Presents authors. I have to say that before I started writing I used to think of some of them with awe (and still do)!
It’s amazing where inspiration comes from and of course our own experiences or the things we’ve heard have happened to others all factor into the ideas we mull over. I love the process of looking back at a book and realising where some ideas came from. Often I’m unable to pick them and I rather like that, after all I’m working to make the story unique, but it’s nice to notice little snippets that connect to other things.
Good luck with your own aspirations.
Annie
Anna, thanks for the compliment on Stavros and Khalid. The idea of them being ‘drool worthy’ is a real compliment coming from you. Your heroes are stand out characters for me!
Annie
Hi Larissa,
Great question. I’m always fascinated by how authors research their stories. Sometimes like you I’ve noticed a description differs from a place I know but at others I feel as if I’ve just stepped across the globe, or down the road and I’m there – wonderful!
My research on locations varies depending on what I’m writing and where it’s located. As you say, fictional locations are another matter all together. But even then I do a lot of work finding out what’s possible or likely in similar areas. For instance, for ‘The Sheikh’s Ransomed Bride’, I spent time learning about diving in the middle east and underwater archaeology. Not that I used most of what I learned, in fact a lot of research never makes it into the book, but it’s good to know what I’m thinking of is possible and it helps me visualise the story.
As for real locations, I tend to write what I’m familiar with. Sydney, where my first book (‘A Mistress for the Taking’) was set, is a place I know very well (did I mention I’m Australian?). The Hunter Valley, where Khalid and Maggie meet is more or less home territory for me. Even so, I had to research racing stables. Fortunately a friend used to work in one and currently owns a gorgeous Arab horse – which was very handy for me!
Some other places are a blend of fact and fiction. In the book I’m working on now I’m using my memories of Athens and the Greek islends, plus some research via books and the net to create my locations.
For me, having a vivid setting helps anchor me in the world I write about. The locations are so real they’re my way into that new world. Given the word count on Harlequin Presents stories though, much of that detail doesn’t make it onto the page, just enough to give a feel for the location.
Hope that helps.
Annie
Annie, I’m reading Stavros and Tessa’s story now and LOVING it! He’s so masterful and passionate and Tessa is quiet but very strong, a fascinating pair.
I can’t wait for THE DESERT KING’S PREGNANT BRIDE!
As for inspiration, many times a piece of interesting historical detail will spark a hook or a situation for my historical romances. Often it’s just a certain dynamic between hero and heroine that I want to explore. Thanks for sharing your inspiration with us!
Hi, Annie,
Right now I am wondering around waiting for an idea to pop into my head. Unfortunately it never quite works like that for me but I do get inspired by places and wonder how a story can fit into this place.
I am so glad Maggie’s story came to be told!
I think the post is brilliant. I believe that all the “what ifs” are what make the romance industry fresh…without it we’d be reading a lot of the same old, same old.
I believe that when you’re stuck (in the writing process or the ‘real life’ matters) if you’ll just ask your self a few questions you can get going again. =)
Heather R.
Christine,
It’s lovely to hear you’re enjoying ‘The Greek Tycoon’s Unexpected Wife’. Can I say I liked the dynamics too? Stavros is so up front and Tessa is strong in a quiet, reserved way. It made for fun writing.
Ah, I wondered if perhaps in writing your historical books you were prompted by some snippet from history. How great to be able to weave that into story, building a romance around it. Most of the time I’m busy enjoying the story but sometimes there’s a detail I wonder about and want to find out more about.
Annie
Hi Fiona,
Best of luck getting inspiration to strike. I wonder if chocolate helps (G), or is that wishful thinking.
Actually, I find your sense of place very vivid in your stories. Especially the one about the alpine rescue (sorry, the name escapes me) and the wonderful book in North Queensland. I could feel the tropical heat and smell the mangoes as I read it!
Annue
Heather,
I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. I had great fun writing it. I wanted to sit down and go back through more books to think about what inspired them but I thought I’d better stop there.
I agree with you about asking questions when writing. Sometimes an incident occurs in the story that I hadn’t necessarily foreseen (G) and I find the best way forward is to ask myself how each of the characters would react to it – how they’d interpret it and what they’d do or say. It’s particularly fun when I discover that the incident is related to something I put in the beginning of the book but I didn’t know about the link (though I suspect my subconscious had an inkling). Perhaps I should try asking more of those questions in real life!
Annie
Annie, I’m so glad you enjoyed Her Miracle Baby…my alpine book! I am just back from more skiing and thought about setting another book in the glorious highcountry.
I am off to garden and ask a lot of “what If?’ questions.
Big wave to Anna, Christine, & Heather :-)
Fiona :-)
Fiona, what a terrific idea. ‘Her Miracle Baby’ was a great book, and not just because of the setting, though I have to say I loved that. The alpine country makes a great background.
Good luck with your ‘what if’ questions. Hope they work a treat. Fingers crossed for another story in the mountains.
Annie
Hi Annie,
Great post, I love finding out how author get their inspiration for their novels. Sometimes I can get mine from someone just talking. A picture will pop into my head as they talk and before long I have the makings of a novel and characters coming to life.
Sandie
Hi Sandie,
It’s fun hearing about how people get their ideas, isn’t it. I should have mentioned earlier that I’ve got an article on my website (http://annie-west.com) on the ‘links and writing’ page, which was based on interviews with quite a few romance writers on where they find their inspiration. Lots of fascinating stories there. People inspired by music, movies, husbands, places, etc.
Sandie, what a great way to get inspiration. Do you find it hard to finish those conversations because you then want to go off and write your idea down?
Annie