Melissa Snark is our guest today. Please be sure to read to the end for your chance at a giveaway. Welcome, Melissa.
Authors often get asked: "Where do you get your ideas?"
Authors often get asked: "Where do you get your ideas?"
As
if there's only one source instead of many contributing factors to story
genesis. Of course, some writers cite a single source or recount a scene that
marches full blown into their head. However, I believe that the majority,
myself included, draw on many founts of inspiration for the next new book or
series.
In
February 2010, I made the decision to resume writing for publication again. I
had settled on a genre—paranormal fantasy—and eliminated vampires as an option.
Wolves howled through my imagination. Already a fan of Patricia Briggs, I loved
the concept of a strong female lead in the role of Alpha werewolf.
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| Photo by Melissa Snark |
Getting
from step 1 to step 2, from vague concept to that first scene required a
setting. A family ski trip to Lake Tahoe put the spurs to my flanks. The Sierra
Nevada Mountains in the dead of winter are absolutely spectacular. Against the
pristine white snow, gray stone and evergreen foliage, the blue of the sky
approaches eternity.
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| Photo by Melissa Snark |
The
rugged austerity of the mountains in February provided me with a place.
Couldn't you just see wolves in this wilderness? Of course, they'd be hungry
wolves, because I don't imagine prey being in abundance here.
A
bit of research yielded an
interested coincidence. Native Americans called
February's moon, the Snow Moon, or alternatively, Hunger Moon, which eventually
became the title of my novel.
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| Photo by Melissa Snark |
Of
course, the scope of story continued to expand beyond just the setting but the
desolate wilderness remained a central theme that even influenced my cover,
which was designed by Farah Evers.
Looking
forward, Victoria returns to Arizona, a place of heat and light, in Battle Cry,
and setting again becomes a source of inspiration for both my story and my
cover.
Melissa Snark is a paranormal and
romance author with a particular interest in werewolf and Norse mythology. Her Loki's Wolves series
combines elements of both in a contemporary fantasy setting. She lives in
Northern California with her husband, three children and glaring of cats.
Where to find Melissa on the Internet:
Email: melissasnark at gmail dot com
Twitter: @MelissaSnark
Melissa is having a Rafflecopter giveaway. Click the link for your chance to win:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/YjkwNjI0Nzk0NTYxZDE3MDFkNGY3NWJlNDc3MjlmOjU=/
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/YjkwNjI0Nzk0NTYxZDE3MDFkNGY3NWJlNDc3MjlmOjU=/
15 comments:
I love hearing about how authors get their ideas. Interesting post, and your covers are awesome. Very cool that your heroine is a strong alpha wolf. Your books sound great. Congrats on your success!
Wow, those photos are stunning. And yes, I can imagine wolves skulking through the trees. I usually consider snow a four-letter word (:-)), but even I can see how settings like those would inspire the muses!
I live in Tahoe and can attest to its beauty. Several of my books have the Sierra Nevada Mountains as a backdrop! You picked a terrific setting for your stories. Best wishes with them!
Alicia,
Strong women in paranormal fic, especially in leadership roles, in a while 'nother post. :) Thank you so much for dropping by and commenting!
Leah,
The whole Tahoe area has miles and miles of rugged, gorgeous terrain. I find it really inspirational. Thank you for commenting! :)
Jannine,
Lucky you! We visit the Tahoe area a couple times every year on family ski vacations. (Sadly, not this year if this awful drought continues.) Thank you so much! :)
I'd like to thank the Roses of Prose for having me as a guest blogger today. :)
Great post, Melissa. I'm glad you decided to return to writing. The world needs your stories.
I am always intrigued by the write's process and inspiration - since no two or alike , can be taught or found in a book. Where a story comes from, at least for me anyway, is never the same. I've learned to not look for a story, rather, to keep my eyes and mind open.
Welcome to the ROP, Melissa! I love your photos, especially the one with the moon.
Setting is also critical for me when planning a new story. I'm a very visual writer and need to see my characters in the setting. Also, some settings just seem to demand a story - like the Sierras did for you. Good luck with your new book!
This absolutely resonated with me, Melissa, especially as I have a novella in edits at the moment that came from a visit to Grand Teton Nat'l Pk. Hope your wolves series is a howling success!
Welcome, Melissa. I love your term - put the spurs to my flanks. Very descriptive. Those photos are breath taking. Wish I could share some of the snow upon snow upon snow upon snow we're getting here in Michigan. Best of luck.
I enjoyed learning about your writing process. You know how to capture those Kodak moments, too! Best wishes with your series -
I love your pictures!
Thanks, Vonnie! :)
Alison,
Thank you! The one with the moon is actually the only one I didn't take. There was a credit to the original but it didn't go up with the post. And I totally agree--setting is the canvas everything happens against.
Andrea,
Do you have any photos you look at to keep you focused as you write? I periodically review images of the area so my descriptions don't stray from the actuality. Thanks for commenting!
Margo,
LOL Thanks! I'm not sure where I picked that expression up. Probably Arizona. :)
Ashantay,
Thank you! I do love my camera. :)
Liz,
Thanks!
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