My Newest Inspiration . . .

Looking north toward the lighthouse and pier.

Whenever I used to ask what to write about, people have always responded to write what you know. I think I ignored that advice thinking who would ever want to read anything about either a) horses b) music or theater or c) my boring town. Well, little did I realize that my boring little town was actually a pretty happening summer hangout. I live on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. I literally live 5 blocks from the lake and the beautiful beaches (Did you know that the beach sand of Lake Michigan is actually known because it "sings" when you walk on it?). As a kid, I never realized how lucky I really am to live here. The town is jumping with tourists during the summer, and quiet in the winter.

The other thing my town has is a really cool history. That is the inspiration for my next WIP. Apparently, this town was the sight of bank robbery by Baby Face Nelson, At the time, Baby Face Nelson was working with John Dillinger, who I recently found out is my grandmother's cousin! So, my story is being born. I am not going to give too much away. It is a ghost story and takes place in my hometown. I am not quite ready to work too much on it and I need to do some more research. I thought I would share some pictures of the setting which is my inspiration!

This site of the new ghost story. This house is one of the original lighthouses.

A closer view of the "lighthouse." It sits on a hill overlooking the beach.

White sands, and crystal blue water.

Writing outside the box

Recently we discovered Figment, an awesome website for writers. Part of the fun at Figment is the contests and in the last few weeks I've tried 3 genres that I never would have tried on my own. First up was Dystopia and this week there was a double whammy- a Scifi about a Utopian Society and a Steampunk Romance. None of those really fit in my comfort zone, but I decided to go for it anyways, and I have to admit, it was a lot of fun! None of these pieces are the best writing I've done, but writing outside the box has really helped me to look at my writing a different way, as well how I can fit in my personal likes into different genres.

So, you want to read the short stories right? Here are links to the Utopia Scifi and Steampunk Romance.

Princess of St. Louis
Steampunk Romance Entry
Blurb:
The Defenders of Man have been around for centuries, persecuting the wicked for their offenses against… mankind. 17 and beautiful, Alessandra is the Princess of St. Louis and just one more soldier in a long line of Defenders. Now she must bring one man to justice while honoring her duty and following her heart


Perfect Peace
Utopian/Scifi Contest Entry
Blurb:
Everone is happy here. Everyone has their personal environment that changes with their every whim, their… every desire. Everyone's days are perfect, so long as no one gets to close, so long as no one breaks that perfect peace.

Dystopia Contest with Lauren Oliver at Figment!

There is a fabulous contest going on over at Figment right now as part of AASL month. Each week in April, they are announcing a new contest prompt in a different genre of creative fiction, and this week it’s dystopia. The best part? The judge is Lauren Oliver- who we love! I know that I am reminded while doing edits to think "What Would Lauren Do?"

This Weeks Prompt (from Figment):

Write a short story or poem in less than 750 words in which two people meet and have a connection (romantic or not), in a society where human interaction is shunned.

Of course, we entered. Here's a little taste of what we wrote! To read our entries in their entirety, just follow the links!

Kate
Title: Silence
Blurb: In a world where the ability to hear is regulated by the Committee of 5 in order to create less distracted… workers, 16 year old Celine Anaprise is alone with the sounds that are witheld from all the other students in her generation. Until her secret is discovered and she must trust mysterious new student Jared to help her survive. Together they uncover the secrets of the Committee and just might change the world.

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Sara

Title: The Road

Blurb: On a road where students walk in single file and are only allowed to interact with those on your approved… list, a young girl's world could change in a single moment. Is the world really as she thought or is there something more?

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Georgia

Title: Beyond The Tree Line

Blurb: Mira has always lived life according to The Council's rules, until one day she starts having dreams of a possible life outside the barrier, beyond the tree line.

The Start of a New Adventure

...there were three friends, brought together by books. We met on a forum dedicated to a book, and soon began working together on a book of the month club, which became a website. We discovered that not only do we all love to read, but we are also writers (amoung other things...). We are each working a story that we love, dreaming and writing and hoping to someday share these story with the world. Writing a book is a long hard road, fraught with setbacks and roadblocks, but it is not impossible. Now we will share our journeys. The days when the words won't come, and the moments when it all seems to come together. This is our story. Thank you for coming along for the ride.

"If there is a book you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it". ~Toni Morrison