Inspired by reading.
I’m not just talking about reading in the genre you write, but about being inspired by voracious reading outside your genre. Nonfiction. Fiction. Poetry. Books. Magazines. Short stories.
What inspired me this week was reading an article on the
Columbian drug trade and a very specific drug mostly used in that country.
I unearthed all kinds of subtle new details, character ideas and twists, which
I’m going to incorporate when I revise my WIP.
Now, in the spirit of finding inspiration by reading in a
wide spectrum and because I’m new to Thursdays Children and would love more blog
followers, I’m going to give away a copy of a wonderful new book.
It's not just for any book.
This giveaway is for a copy of the soon to
be released alternate history by Laura Andersen: The Boleyn King
If you haven’t heard of it yet, you will. It’s on a small
herd of most anticipated lists. And, I suspect that’s not just because of
Andersen’s amazing writing, but also because the novel’s premise is truly
inspired: What if Anne Boleyn had actually given Henry VIII a son who grew up
to be king?
So here’s how to enter.
For 1 chance to win—be a follower of this blog.
For 2nd chance—follow me on Twitter and
RT this post Here's a link
For 3rd chance—follow me on Facebook and post a
link to this post Here's a link
Then leave your name, where you follow me, and your email in the
comments below before noon (eastern standard time) next Thursday—March 21st. I'll announce the winner later that day.
If you already follow me, then just tell me that in the
comments.
The winner will be set a copy upon release of the novel.
This is one fantastic novel, guys. Yup, I had the privilege of reading a very
early draft of it and can’t wait to hold the sparkly published
version in my hands.
Sorry, guys, if the linky is messed up. I'm still getting a hang of this blog hopping thing.
Sorry, guys, if the linky is messed up. I'm still getting a hang of this blog hopping thing.
Here's the code for the Linky to put on your own post.
I'm so glad I bullied, er, persuaded you to join Thursday's Children this week! I love when research into one thing provides all kinds of inspirational nuggets. What a gorgeous cover on that book too! I'm assuming Henry stayed married to Anne instead of having her head lopped off? Guessing you'll tell me to read the book ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe books do include some head lopping. But who's head I refuse to say :)
ReplyDeleteThank for talking me into being a part of Thursday Children. I'm already inspired for next week.
I love stumbling across inspiration when I'm reading. No reading is ever wasted! :)
ReplyDeleteSo true, thanks for stopping by.
DeleteYep, reading inspires me, too. The Boleyn King sounds like a book to add to my to-read pile. Thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.miaceleste.com/?p=227
You won't regret it. It's a great, sexy and action packed novel.
DeleteDefinitely — you can't help but get inspired by the little facts or anecdotes that come up in other pieces of writing. You're right... fiction, non-fiction, doesn't matter. As long as it's intriguing...
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us, hope to see you back next week!
I'm delighted that I finally joined as well. I already took some photos for next week's post. This is just what I needed to kick up my blogging pace a bit.
DeleteI love finding inspiration in places we don't expect! And...that book sounds AMAZING! Not something I'd normally pick up, but I'm intrigued for sure.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and so nice to meet you :)
Great to meet you too! I'm so glad I joined Thursday's Children it has inspired me. I can't wait to get home from work and back to my WIP.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely with what you said about reading being inspiring, but I'd take it one step further--if one does not find inspiration in reading, one probably doesn't have a writer's spirit.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've seen, it's almost impossible to not find something to be inspired by, but sorting through the multitude of amazing things that surround us to focus on certain things for our writing is the challenging part. (At least it is for me.)
Wanted to say I love your mini-bio there, Pat. I still find inspiration in abandoned houses and cemeteries, etc. I hope you do too. If you don't Pintrest, you might want to check out some of the groups there.
I think you're right about the reading and the writer's spirit. Perhaps, it goes back to a love of words and an interest in how powerful they can be.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to use Pintrest for one of my manuscripts-- which was inspired by cemeteries, rambling houses, antiques and the ocean. My only fear is that I might like it too much and never get anything else done.
Great ideas and sounds like a great book, Pat. Love the cover and anything about Anne Boleyn.
ReplyDeleteIf you love Anne Boleyn, then this is a must have. Though I suspect parts of it will make you cry.
DeleteMyself, I'm a fan of Mary, Queen of Scots:)
Nice to meet you Pat.
ReplyDeleteThe Boleyn King sounds intriguing. Please enter me in your giveaway.
I'm a blog/twitter/fb follower and I've passed along info for your giveaway.
Thanks!
It's great to meet you as well--and thank you for the follows.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Thursday's Children! The Boleyn King sounds great, thank for sharing. And I do find a lot of inspiration in my readings, it's part of my writing process too. Hope you have a great writing week!
ReplyDeleteHope your having a great writing weeks as well. Joining Thursdays Children helped inspire me. I totally thrilled.
DeleteI'm so excited for this book!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd yay for joining Thursday's Children.
About time I joined, huh? Actually it fits right in with the type of posts I like to write. I'm already glad I joined.
ReplyDeleteooo. me! me! Sing me up. Love alternative histories and reading Everything!
ReplyDelete-followed you on FB/blogger/ twitter.
let the games begin. And very nice to meet you, Pat!
you do not see that typo--
DeleteGreat to meet you as well. LOL. I'm the typo queen, especially on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and thanks for joining us! Since I'm a big medievalist nerd by training I love to watch random History Channel programs when I need a jolt of inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of the History Channel as well. Though I'm a bit upset that the Vikings are on during BIC writing time :(
ReplyDelete(I'm glad I joined as well)
I love reading outside of my normal genre (fantasy) too, and find biographies or documentaries hugely inspiring - especially some of the early pioneering characters. The little details they often throw up are great for world building.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. You may have giving me an idea. I'm in need of some world building inspiration.