The Power of a Dream

I've always been fascinated by the phenomenon of dreams. They can be so many things -- tiring (as in work-related dreams), frightening, embarrassing, inspiring, or prophetic. I'm reminded that God often works through dreams to communicate to His people in the bible.

Dreams are a gold mine for a writer. I've taken some very interesting ideas from a couple of dreams. They'll both become fantasy novels, hopefully in the near future. Who knows if I would have thought of those ideas on my own. I put great stock in divine inspiration, and value the freedom of imagination found in dreams.

Living the Regency

Some people think authors should write what they know. Now that's a dilemma for me, because I haven't experienced a lot, but I have learned a great deal. I know a lot about certain places and times, even though I've never been there. And sometimes I think I know more about imagined places than my own present day reality. But an author can draw on more than just the mundane experiences of daily life.

For example, I'm taken with the Regency period. I love all things Jane Austen. It's one of a few favourite time periods, but will always hold a special place in my heart -- because I lived it for two summers!

Talk about your ideal summer job. I worked at Discovery Harbour in the little town of Penetanguishene, Ontario. It's a picturesque naval and military fort from the War of 1812. I got to be a "real" Regency lady, at least, the backwoods version -- doing embroidery, playing music, dressing in the fashions of the day. Those days back in high school were the foundation of all my present Regency writing, and directly inspired two of my Regency short stories: "Arms o' the Sea", and the soon-to-be-released "The Farmer's Son".

So I guess that goes to show that you should write what you know, but you should never let that limit you!

From Imagination to Paper

It's been the perennial problem for me, and I'm sure other creative types like me -- how do you get the vision in your head to look right on paper? As an artist and musician as well as a writer, I'm familiar with this problem.

Actually, I think my experiences with the other arts have helped me learn how to write effectively. In art, you learn techniques of different brush strokes, study the strengths and weaknesses of different media, and practice copying life objects onto paper -- the more you learn, the greater your ability to be true to your vision becomes. The same applies to musical composition. You need to know music theory -- the duration and pitch of notes, chords, scales, figures -- as well as the unique timbres and colours of different instruments, before you can compose a symphony.

So I keep learning words, arranging them in different, new ways while still obeying the laws of grammar. That way I can get the ideas in my head into a readable form.

But, of course, since learning never stops, there comes a point when I have to write a book with only the tools I have at present. That's where I have to toss perfectionism out the window, because it will only hold me back from learning anything at all.

To sum up -- I guess writing, like anything in life, is about striving to become better while giving up the hope of being perfect.

What if?

This is one of my favourite games to play with my husband when we're on a long trip and need something to talk about. It's kind of morbid, but I ask him: What if civilization as we knew it collapsed? What if there was some kind of disaster that wiped out technology and we had to start over?

It's not such a strange idea. After all, isn't that what happened after the collapse of the Roman Empire? It was called the Dark Ages, when all the advancements Western civilization had made up until that point were lost. Can you imagine what that must have been like for the Roman Empire? Can you imagine what it might be like for us -- no more oil and gas, electricity, cars, appliances?

Actually, this interesting game has evolved into a book project for me -- a post-apocalyptic young adult fantasy involving a set of twins and some dragons. I've been having to address a lot of the limitations a collapsed civilization would have to deal with. My husband has been helping me with scenarios, extending our disaster game into long book-writing discussions. It should shape up to be interesting!

Where did you come from?

As a writer, I often get asked about my books and stories -- "where did that come from?" It's a question I've pondered many a time. Characters are an interesting phenomenon that I'm not sure anyone understands.

To a certain point, they do come from the author's imagination and experiences. I often start with a drawing of a character and build a story around that one image. But there is something about characters that is external to the author, always some element the writer can't control. It may sound bizzare to say, but my characters are constantly doing and saying things I never expected of them. Yes, it's true! The words come out and I think "I wouldn't have thought of that, but it's exactly what X would have done!" Characters take on a life of their own, and everything they do and say is a function of that complex personality. I find the more I fight against the inevitable actions of a particular character, the less inspired my writing becomes.

And that opens up the question of inspiration. Does writing come from another source, outside the author? It's a common enough idea -- think of the Muses of ancient Greece. As a Christian I believe in inspiration implicitly. I know that God breathes His ideas into me on a daily basis.

So what do I say when people ask "Where does this come from?" -- not from me, that's for sure!

Soli Deo Gloria

So, I've been using this blog sporadically for promo and whatnot. But I've been musing on the idea of using this for more than just book stuff. I'm always brewing with deep thoughts about life, faith, family and just about anything else. It makes sense to write them down, and maybe someone will benefit. Here's hoping someone reads this! So keep an eye out and I'll try to write something every day about something that might apply to life or might be a little entertaining and hopefully deep.

The most important thing as far as I'm concerned is to dedicate this blog, like everything else in my life, to God. It is for His purposes -- as Bach used to sign his work "Soli Deo Gloria" -- To God alone be the glory. So, Father, use this avenue for your glory. Use my hands, my thoughts, and my words to speak to the hearts of people everywhere. Amen.