Of all the questions I get as an author, this one ranks at the top. Everyone is curious how a writer can take a blank page and turn it into a story. As Thomas Edison famously said, it takes 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration (He was speaking of genius, but we’ll just pretend he was speaking to a not-even-close author of inspirational contemporary western romance novels.)
I would like to take a dive into that 1%. Every single author I’ve ever heard answer this question starts by saying everywhere. And truly, that’s how it happens. Overheard conversations (Okay, I stink at eavesdropping, being nearly deaf, but I love watching body language when people are having conversations.) I can guess how long a couple has been married by the way they act towards each other. I can also see the ones who have fought through the rough patches (because every marriage has them) and come out the other side stronger, with a more mature, lasting love.
I get ideas from news. From movies and television. From road trips and vacations. Even from church songs and hymns.
But today I thought it would be fun for you to see a couple of new ideas I have percolating—both stemming from photos.
The first photograph was taken twenty-five years ago at my brother’s wedding. The adorable ring bearer is my sister-in-law’s younger brother, and the little girl is my Annie. (Both are adults now. Gracious, how time flies!) Annie reached up and straightened Tyson’s bow tie and the photographer got the perfect shot.
I recently attended my niece’s wedding—yes, my brother’s daughter—and the little boy who had been the ring bearer all those years ago officiated at the ceremony. Thinking about that picture was all I needed to spark the what if in my head. What would happen if those two children ran into each other as adults? At a wedding? When their families were feuding?
The end result is my novella The Cowboy’s Christmas Wedding, which will be featured in a boxed set called Cowboy Under the Mistletoe this Christmas season.
The second photo doesn’t yet have a home in one of my books, but you can bet it will. All of you who know me know I spend a lot of time writing about and talking about horses, one of my childhood dreams made real on the printed page. You may also know I have a serious thing for piggies.
My sister, who owns Happy Haven Farm and Sanctuary, recently posted pictures of Romeo the pig and Sunny the horse frolicking in the field together. They are seriously best friends. They don’t even appear to notice the…differences. There are so many lessons to be drawn from this, don’t you think?
And you can bet that one day soon you’ll see a scene with a horse and a pig who are best friends.
Deb Kastner’s latest book from Harlequin Love Inspired is The Cowboy’s Baby Blessing.
~~Love Courageously~~ Publisher's Weekly Bestselling, award-winning author of 30 novels, Deb Kastner enjoys writing contemporary inspirational western stories set in small communities. She feels especially blessed to be able to include faith as a natural and genuine part of her characters' lives. Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and a pack of miscreant mutts. She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors are her fav), singing in the church choir, and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
I love that first picture! It is so inspiring and makes me want to read your book!
And the second picture is incredibly sweet. A sweet children’s book with a horse and a pig as best friends would work incredibly well ?
HI Deb. Love the photo- how very cute of your girl to straighten his bowtie, and what a ‘girlie’ thing to do:) And the horse and pig- yep! major life lessons that I’m sure we will see in your story!!
Blessings:)
Hi Deb! Thanks for sharing your inspiration and the photos are precious! As a reader, I like to discover through my reading where an author received her inspiration and what is close to her heart. Sometimes it is a cause, like your sister’s Happy Haven Farm and Sanctuary. Sometimes a verse of scripture or a quote. Other times one notices a news story. I enjoy people watching. Inspiration can be found all around. Best wishes.
I love the kids picture. So cute. The idea of creating characters from daydreaming about pictures is quite interesting. Thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to Cowboy Under the Mistletoe. Keep us posted about the release date (or when the boxed set it’s up for pre-order). ;)
I loved the picture of the kids! And the idea you had from that picture seems really great, can’t wait to read the book.
Great photos and observation skills turned into inspiration!
I completely forgot about that bow-tie incident until I was at the wedding and was bowled over that Tyson grew up (Well, duh, of course he did. Annie is married with a child.) And I live vicariously through my sister’s rescue program. A LOT of my ideas come from there, as well as a ton of animal names and photos for my Facebook page–Mustang Monday, Two-Purr Tuesday, Wild Horse Wednesday, Happy Purrsday, Furry Friday and Happy Caturday. =)
Annie is my firstborn and my perfectionist. She doesn’t let bow ties by without straightening.
In every single one of my books, a verse of Scripture embeds itself as the theme, although that doesn’t always, or even usually, happen to me when I first plot the book. The scriptural theme presents itself as I’m writing.
Will do! This will be my first venture into indie publishing and I’m thrilled to be in a boxed set with a group of very talented writers.
Isn’t it adorable? And I love the fact that it was spontaneous and not staged.
I love your tag– thequeenofquitealot. Gave me an instant picture of you–a Queen with a crown, but mounted on a white horse with shining armor, ready for battle (the “alot” part of it, like a knight of the round table.)
I love both pictures! So sweet! I can see how they can give ideas for books.
Love the ideas!
Deb, loved hearing about how you turn your thoughts/ideas into books for us readers! Also, enjoyed the photos. I am excited about your Cowboy Christmas collection…..when will it be available? Kindle or print?
I believe the release date will be in October as an eBook. It’s a boxed set with some other authors I’m excited to collaborate with.
Some authors have said they’ve gotten story inspiration by simply people watching while sitting somewhere. Or just watching as the world goes by. That “what-if” question is a great start! I’m sure you can imagine all sorts of things from there.
I love the picture of horse & pig BFF’s! I’ve seen similar pictures of other animals who have befriended each other. Even one of a tiger, bear & lion (true story)…oh my! I can so see them going into one of your future books!
I really enjoyed “The Cowboy’s Baby Blessing! I had requested the Overdrive digital library to purchase an ebook copy (which they did!) and I was the first to read it :-) I also left reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, CBD.com, Barnes & Noble, my Pinterest book review board and Harlequin for you :-)
What a cute picture! I had 2 little kids in my wedding. In our wedding video our ring bearer is seen moving around like he needs to use the bathroom! They are now grown up which is so hard to believe!
I love that first picture. What a fun story idea you were able to draw from that.
What a cute pic !!! I enjoy the cowboy baby blessings , reading it now