Ever wondered where story ideas come from?
Especially the stories that linger in your thoughts long after the last sentence.
Do the authors filter through pages and pages to create these novels? Are they inspired by family histories, television shows, strange and stranger occurrences, other stories?
Well, if you want to find out, you’ve come to the right place.
Welcome to the first post of my blog series, Love At First Thought.
I can’t think of a better way to start than with cowboy-author-extraordinaire, Mary Connealy. In Mary’s free-time, she writes.
A lot.
The evidence is in the fact that she turned out five new books last year, and has four more on the way for 2011. It’s astonishing what this lady can do.
I want to be like her. Do you think she’s share her DNA? Or at least her creativity? 😉
Speaking of creativity, let’s go back to the beginning with Mary’s first book, Petticoat Ranch.
In Mary’s case, her first novel was inspired by Dirty Harry.
That’s right.
In fact, here’s what Mary has to say:
Petticoat Ranch started with two ideas.
The second Dirty Harry movie, the one about vigilantes, and he said/she said.
A man in an all girl world.
(And if you’ve never read Petticoat Ranch it’s a MUST. SOOOO hilarious, with a hefty dose of Mary’s trademarks: male/female banter, adventure, gunfire, and humor. WONDERFUL!!!
But Mary didn’t stop there. To get a good taste of the various ways in which inspiration may come, here is a quicklist of Mary’s novels – and the ‘thoughts’ that inspired them. (my comments are in italics)
Petticoat Ranch: Vigilantes. Dirty Harry, the 2nd one with vigilantes. I think it’s Magnum Force. (faith message, how does a Christian handle very justifiable hate) A movie inspiration
Calico Canyon: A Sunday School class I taught once. (faith message, you’re not truly free if you’re living with constant fear)
Real-life inspiration
Gingham Mountain: Orphan Trains (in the beginning, in Gingham Mountain, Charlie was an angel, really, but when that got vetoes, I made him a
seriously badly behaved little trouble maker. But he saves the day in the end and that was the remnant of the angel)
Historical research inspiration
Montana Rose: Love Comes Softly (by Janette Oake)…with gunfire and mayhem (abuse can break the spirit and it’s hard to heal when your self-doubt is deeply embedded)
Novel Inspiration (stealing from someone else…with a twist 😉
Wildflower Bride: Two people who belonged nowhere except with each other. Faith message (How does a strong, independent man turn his life over to God.
A ‘what if’ inspiration
There you have it, guys. Some tips about where Mary’s books originated. Have you ever gotten a novel-idea from a movie?
Give us a glimpse into your story the movie inspired.
And thank you, Mary – for letting us have a little glimpse into your creative world.
Inspirational Thought:
For the length of this series, I want to introduce you to some verses in the Bible that have the phrase ‘in the beginning’.
The very first one?
Genesis 1:1 “1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
In the beginning, God’s story began. A story he would write from His first ‘Word’ to the very last. He took the emptiness of darkness, and filled it with His light, and the great Storyteller began to weave a tale greater than any other in all of history.
A tale of rescue, redemption, riches, ruthlessness, and royalty.
But most of all – a story of love.
Into the darkness, God brought forth light with just a word.
And into our lives, he brings forth stories. Inspired by His ways, wisdom, and words.
In this world, created by His words, we step with wonder- waiting for inspiration to unfold at any turn.
Out of a darkened, empty page – God guides us into situations that dawn a novel in our minds. He’s created us as writers – for His glory.
But most of all – He’s brought us out of the darkness of our sin, and lightened our soul with His love. A love that should inspire us to show the world what true love really is.
Stop by Wednesday to find out the inspiration behind Margaret Brownley’s first inspy novel, A Lady Like Sarah.
Like this:
Like Loading...