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Saturday, January 3, 2009

Inspirations...

Like music, simply driving down the street can inspire the swirling of a scene, a character, or an entire book idea. As I have written before inspiration can come from anywhere…all is fair game in novel writing. My writing sort of stalled around the middle of December so I took a break. At first I thought it was because I was lazy. Then I realized, it was because I did not know what to do with Lolly next. I was flummoxed. I was waiting. I needed the next idea to come to help me get things going again.

I was watching an old movie just before the holidays and it helped me to get the ole’ novel writing juices going. And then I watched a movie that is one of my very favorites. Cold Mountain. A movie that stemmed from a book and both were brilliant in their own ways. I had not seen it since I saw it in the theatre even though I have the DVD. The soundtrack on the other hand was played non-stop in my car a few years ago…but after seeing the movie again it quickly found its way back into the CD player. I’m a total sucker for an epic type love story. This story delivers on all counts. And the music…when the Sacred Harp Singers do their thing it is gorgeously haunting. “I’m Going Home” is one of the most moving songs I have ever heard. When I go home…that rendition will be my calming mantra. It gives me chills and serenity.

Earlier this week, I watched The Holiday for the first time and loved it. For me it was the perfect kind of romantic comedy with unexpected complications and the integration of older people with younger people. Well…and really…is anything with Jude Law bad? For me, Jude Law = Instant Swoon. He is definitely one of my muses. I remember vividly the first time I saw him on the screen. I was on a flight to San Francisco and The Talented Mr. Ripley was playing on the screen before me. I could not hear it but I could see it. I was captivated. The feelings of the characters still oozed off the screen even though I could not hear a word. I had no context whatsoever and the creepy strange still hit me. In fact it was kind of spooky. I was traveling across the country alone and when I got to my hotel room I was kind of freaked. But then…I took a nap and when I woke up…the welcoming streets of the freest town I had ever been in beckoned to me. I went walking and shopping. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. One of those that stick with you because it helps you become the person you are meant to be.

2 comments:

MPB said...

I LOVE the movie The Holiday. Maybe I will watch it today, in fact =)

Just trying to catch up on all of your stuff! I am kind of out of the loop =)

Joy Wizziwa said...

I must have had some blog pixie dust fall upon during xmas...I have been a bit more bloggy than usual.

Happy New Year!!! :)