As Baby Number Two has gone off to the New Writers’ Scheme, I’m enjoying a few weeks of blissful ignorance of how much more work there is to come. I’ve been able to read, something which has been lacking these last few months when evenings and nap times have been dedicated to writing.
My mind is already toying with the next project. Looking back, Baby Number Two arrived after two light bulb moments. One was at a dinner party with friends when we were discussing the number of children we’d like to have. It created a What If? question in my head and I realised it would make a good story. The second light bulb moment was when I was at the London Paralympics where I realised it would be good to make the story into a documentary and it gave me the hero I needed. There were lots of smaller moments of inspiration along the way, but those were the main two.
Currently, for my next project, I have half an idea and I need a spark to come along to complete the idea. Personally, I find sitting at a keyboard is not the way to find the next eureka moment, so I tend to get out in the sunshine and seek the answers there. Although, as this project will involve some research, I might have to start reading up and hope there is inspiration amongst the pages.
Over the next few weeks I will be doing a further revision of Baby Number Two before sending it out to publishers and agents. And whilst I wait, I’m planning to make a start on my next project. So let’s hope the other half of the story comes to mind.
Where do you find your sparks of inspiration? Or is there no telling when they might pop up?
Catherine x
The Romaniacs 
In bed. Or when out walking the dogs. Or in the shower. Or … *sigh*. You are so right, Catherine. Light bulbs most definitely don’t go off when you are sitting at your keyboard (unless it’s someone hinting it might be time for bed). 😉 Good luck with baby two and three! 🙂 xx
Well, actually, my lightbulb moment for Daisy’s Dilemma which is on pre-order at the moment, was at the keyboard. I had this sparkling girl born into huge privilege who was none the less human, more vulnerable than she knew and vibrant. It wasn’t the next book, but the one after that – and goodness it was hard to write because, as you say, one spark of light does not a novel illuminate. anne stenhouse