This is my first Thursday's Children post, so I'm going to start off slow. Below are a few pictures that are helping to inspire my current project. The majority of it takes place in Grand Haven and the element of water plays heavily into it. I've also taken to listening to calming wave sounds as I write, it seems to help me get in the right mood to get inside my main character's head. Water is extremely important to her family and they settled in Grand Haven because of that.
The first two photos show the Grand Haven lighthouse which has a role in the book. The next picture shows a beautiful beach and while it isn't from Grand Haven (or even Michigan actually), it just has a certain feel to it that relates to my main character. The last picture somehow says power and peace to me at the same time, which is what my main character feels when she is near or on the water. It quiets her mind and gives her strength.
- The Grand Haven Lighthouse
It's odd, it wasn't until writing this post that I realized something about myself and this project. This book is, or I hope will be, the first in a four book series. All four books revolve around the four main elements (water, fire, earth, and air) with a character devoted to each. The true main character of the series is my "water" character. She is a high school girl from West Michigan who finds solace in the water. Without even realizing it, I picked for her the same element I would pick for myself. The water is someplace I have always felt at home, it invigorates me and stirs my imagination. I'm hoping this means this project was meant to be and that I'm on the right track. For now, when I get stuck, I'll think of water and imagine slicing through the waves on a sailboat. Maybe that will help me get where I'm trying to go.
So glad you joined us-I hope it will be the first of many Thursday meetups :) My most recent ms has a lighthouse in it too, and water has figured pretty prominently in two of my three books. For me it's all about the ocean because I love it and for now anyway live near it. I've never been to the Great Lakes but I'd love to see at least one of them someday.
ReplyDeleteYay! Kirsti's here! I love that photo of the Grand Haven lighthouse. It's been too long since I've been out there - really need to do that, again - and soon.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about being by the water - it's soothing and rejuvenating in a way few other things are. But "my" lake is Lake Superior - although I do love Lake Michigan, too. :)
And for the record, I can't wait to read your book. :)
Thanks so much for joining us! Water is probably the element I would choose for myself, too. As you can see from my Thursday's Children post this week, I'm always inspired by the Seine. Kristina x
ReplyDeleteVery interesting how nature and your environment can have such a big influence on you. Now I feel like holing up near the ocean and writing away for a few weeks!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, though. I live by Lake Ontario, and looking out into the deep blue lake always provides an extra kick of inspiration and reflection.
This is a good teaser! Looking forward to reading your work. :)
ReplyDeleteJust posted my first Thursday's Children post too. :) It never ceases to amaze me how much music affects my writing - especially when I'm listening to epic orchestral stuff and end up writing nothing but blockbuster movie scenes which probably have little to do with my actual plot!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your series. :)
Kat
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