Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Story Ideas: What Inspires Them?

by Jessica E. Subject

I am often asked where my story ideas come from. And I must admit, many things inspire the tales I weave. When I first put pen to paper, I wrote for my daughter, but through dreams, my characters told a completely new story, thus turning a book for children into one for adults. Situations that people I know have had to face have resulted in other stories. Sometimes it’s a line from a song. And I have one idea waiting to be turned into a story that stemmed from a news article sent to me by another Decadent author.

Never Gonna Let You Go is a little different. It came from a writing assignment in my high school science fiction English class. I kept many things from my school years, the assignments being one of them. I’d thought many times about turning the short narrative into a story, but had other projects on the go. When I finally took the paper from my idea folder, I had to add a lot of conflict, one of them being Erik, the aerospace mechanic, but I needed more. After many showers—where I work through the details of most of my stories—I decided to add another main character, Melina. Only she isn’t competition for Calla in winning Erik’s affections. No, she’s after Calla for herself. And thus, Never Gonna Let You Go was born.

I thought I’d share the beginning of the lyrics for Regina Spektor’s The Call. I find the words to be exactly how my ideas grow.
It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder
'Til it was a battle cry
All the best!
JES

Never Gonna Let You Go Blurb
Caught in a tangle of lies, Calla Jacobs must sort through the truth to discover where she truly belongs. A biologist for Planet Core, she finds herself ensnared in a web of deceit. Sent to Airondelle, she must work with a team to prepare the newly discovered planet for colonists from Earth. But the mission does not go as she expected. Her former lover, Erik Edwards, shuns her, sending Calla into the arms of Melina Holloway, their commander, for the attention she craves and more. A confrontation among the trio leaves her with a broken heart, and fleeing from the two people she trusted most.

Attempting to break free from the lies that bind her, she discovers Planet Core has deceived everyone. And when she returns to Earth, Calla learns just how far Planet Core’s control reaches.

Available from Decadent Publishing and other ebook retailers.
Bio:
Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.

6 comments:

Barbara Elsborg said...

I love those lyrics. That just about sums up the writing process doesn't it!!

Jessica E. Subject said...

Thank Barbara! They do, and it's such a great song. Waiting For The End by Linkin Park also reminds me of the writing process. :)

Sheri Fredricks said...

Wow! Very nice book cover. Interesting where an author pulls their ideas from, or what sets them in motion.

Alexa said...

I'm always fascinated to hear how other authors get their ideas. Mine come from all over- a police siren as I drive, a plot point from a tv show, a hero from a favorite movie, fan fiction. I ALWAYS have a pencil & paper just in case....

Cate Masters said...

Great lyrics, Jessica, and loved the blurb. Sounds like a fantastic read! Congrats on your latest release.

Jessica E. Subject said...

Sheri - Yes, the world is full of inspiration. :)

Alexa - Yes, I carry them with me as well. A must. :)

Cate - Thanks so much! :)