Inspiration From Authors

I don't read nearly as much fiction as I used to before I began writing my own stories. Mostly, I read massive amounts of non-fiction across myriad topics. But that doesn't mean I don't read fiction at all, which is where this post comes in.

A few months back, someone recommended the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. I hesitated at first, because I didn't really care to read anymore stories about vampires. Nevertheless, after reading the introduction blurb to the first book in the series - A Discovery of Witches - I gave it a go. And I was hooked! This wasn't your typical "easy" read. In fact, I know readers who won't read it because it is a veritable tome of history and depth (which put them off it), in addition to the fascinating characters and marvelous plot. I quickly ordered the next two books and immersed myself in the world of All Souls.

Why have I been inspired as well as entertained? Not because the author's first attempt at fiction became an overnight bestseller. Not because the trilogy was picked up and made into an online series for streaming. All within seven years from when book one was published, mind you. No, I have no illusions that something similar would happen for me. I'm realistic. No, it was because I felt like Harkness stayed true to herself, to the story she heard within her that wanted to be revealed. Each of the three books is distinctively unique from the others, not just a continuation of the story; the tone and style of each one is quite different. That was inspirational. It returned me to the reasons I was writing my own book series - because they were the stories that wanted to be told through me, in my own way. If an agent and/or publisher picks my books up, great. If not, that's fine, too, I can self-publish. As my younger brother says, "it's all gouda."

My problem? I was getting bogged down by the intimidating rise of multitudes of "book coaches" and related services coming out of the woodwork online and via podcasts who were saying writers have to do this and that and the other thing - including all the media platform complexities - if they ever want to sell their work. Well, you know what? I would love to sell my work, but that's not why I write. I'm lucky in that I don't need to earn a living from what I write; I can write because it's both something I enjoy and feel compelled to do. Anything that happens with the books after the manuscript is complete is simply icing on the cake.

The concrete result of this inspiration? I promptly finished up my own first book in my series, sent it out to solicit agent representation, and began serious work on the second book. I'm enthused again and having loads of fun writing and researching! All thanks to author Deborah Harkness.