Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Spark: The Book


I read Shannon Hale's The Goose Girl several years ago and loved it. Such a great story.

Eventually I was able to convince my husband to find the time to read it as well.

One day, he left it on the bathroom window seat and I started reminiscing about how great I thought the story was, and how I just love good, old-fashioned fairytales.

As I showered, I thought about a popular fairytale and how it always had strange gaping holes to me. Then my imagination began to fill in those holes in ways that I had never seen done before.

The muse had struck. 
(Apparently my muse is violent)

I had never had the inclination to write an entire novel before. Short stories at times, yes. Entire novel? No, that was my husband's weird hobby.

But before I knew it I was writing chapters and reading writing books. I had the bug.

All because someone left The Goose Girl on the window seat.

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27 comments:

  1. Ruth JosseAugust 25, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    I love that book! I can't believe I forgot to add it to my list of inspirational books. Love it.

    Inspiration really does appear in the oddest of places:)

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  2. Jill W.August 25, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    That's a great story. I love how we just get our ideas from the strangest places sometimes.

    Keep writing! :-)

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  3. Tara TylerAugust 25, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    a sweet short story of a spark =)

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  4. Abby FowersAugust 25, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    Good ol' window seat! That is an awesome story. The imagination can be such a wonderful thing!

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  5. JessAugust 25, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    What an awesome 'Spark'! Who knew that the most simple things could make the biggest difference!?

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  6. it's just lisaAugust 25, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    So you became inspired to write while in THE SHOWER!!? Am I the only one amused by this?

    I feel like I've heard about this book... yet I'm not sure I have. I'll have to look it up.

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  7. Donna K. WeaverAugust 25, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    I love this story! I love Goose Girl, too. I love almost everything Shannon's written.

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  8. Jenny S. MorrisAugust 25, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    2nd spark I've with this book. I have to read it now.

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  9. Shannon LawrenceAugust 25, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    Wonderful spark! I haven't read that (gasp, I know!), but am adding it to my wishlist.

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  10. UnknownAugust 25, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    I love your posts in this series. Writing novels really is a weird hobby. :)

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  11. JAugust 25, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    I love The Goose Girl! I also love that your spark stories are so concise. They resonate in a very unique way for me. Great job! :)

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  12. Sarah TokeleyAugust 26, 2011 at 12:36 AM

    And aren't you glad he did? Mostly :-)

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  13. Rebecca EminAugust 26, 2011 at 12:40 AM

    I love the way inspiration strikes. I get most of my ideas in the shower too. Or when washing dishes or ironing.

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  14. Angela CothranAugust 26, 2011 at 12:49 AM

    I love everything Shannon Hale. I think she is brilliant! Great choice :)

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  15. CrystalAugust 26, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    Interesting! I love to hear the stories about writers who were inspired because of something that was LACKING in what they read versus how they loved something they read and wanted to be just like the author.

    Also? The little coincidences in life really are funny!

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  16. Summer RossAugust 26, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    It is amazing how just one small thing off of normal range- like a book on the window seat- could spark such creativity.

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  17. AnonymousAugust 26, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    I love the Goose Girl! and all of Shannon Hales books!

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  18. AnonymousAugust 26, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    I love the Goose Girl! and all of Shannon Hales books!

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  19. Jolene PerryAugust 26, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    That's a GREAT story and what a cool way to start writing!

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  20. KimAugust 26, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    Sometimes inspiration throws a mean right cross! I absolutely love your writing, can't wait to read more...

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  21. Daniel R. MarvelloAugust 26, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Greetings from a fellow fantasy campaigner!

    The thing that inspires us to make writing a priority in our lives is often surprising, it seems to me.

    Isn't it amazing when you look back on that moment you made the decision? "That's it. No more excuses. I'm writing that novel, and I'm starting right now!"

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  22. Samantha MayAugust 26, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Isn't it funny where your muse can strike?

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  23. KrispyAugust 26, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    I keep hearing about how wonderful this book is. I totally need to read it! :)

    Loved this story, and don't you love how inspiration always strikes in the shower?

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  24. Laura BarnesAugust 27, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    I just listened to it with my family on our recent vacation. We all decided it was the BEST part of the trip. Good pick!

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  25. JeighAugust 27, 2011 at 3:22 AM

    I haven't read that one but I'm keeping my eye out for it (small library--what can you do?)

    Also, what is it about showers and inspiration? Is it fate, mocking us with our notebooks and pens out of reach when we're powerless to get them because of the soap in our eyes? Or something?

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  26. Christine TylerAugust 27, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    Fairytales are some of the best material. I have this theory that it's not Princess Movies that Disney is good at, it's expanding on a 2-3 page children's tale. When they go the opposite way and try to condense a 400-800 page book? Usually ends in disaster. Great spark, thanks for sharing!

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  27. Sophia ChangSeptember 1, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    This one's a spark for me too! Thanks for stopping by, fellow campaigner :)

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