I've always listened to music while I write. Some books need several different songs that help me invoke the images or emotion I'm trying to create. Thanks to my first fantasy trilogy, I can't listen to Kiss From A Rose by Seal or (Everything I Do) I Do It For You by Bryan Adams without getting teary-eyed. I've got everything from Nickelback to Apocalyptica to country - yes country music! - on my playlists. But only recently have I added movies to my inspiration process.My next Carina release, Golden, was inspired by the movie Curse of the Golden Flower. I happened to catch a few minutes of the movie at bedtime one night, and I ended up staying up way past midnight (even though I had to work the next day!) in order to watch it. I DVRd it and watched it over and over, at least half a dozen times, and I knew I had to write a story based on Imperial China. Now that the story is contracted, I've watched CotGF at least four times while working on edits. The music, the scenery, everything speaks to me. I get chills while watching it. I even dream about it!
Indirectly, The Bloodgate Guardian was also inspired by a movie: Stargate. I've always loved pyramids, but everybody's done Egyptian stories. What about all those fantastic Mayan pyramids in Central America? Add in blood and human sacrifice with interesting mythologies, and I'm there!
Music and movies might be expected, but I bet you'll be surprised to hear that I was inspired by Mrs. Giggles' Regency Drinking Game for my upcoming Samhain release, Lady Doctor Wyre. I was reading her list and giggling, naturally, and the thought came to me: how ridiculous would some of these be if the heroine and hero exchanged roles? I mean, just think of how much fun I'm going to have with debutant virgin heroes and rake heroines? I can't wait!
Joely Sue Burkhart
13 comments:
Thanks for having me today! I forgot to say that I'll give away an e-copy of my next release, Lady Doctor Wyre, to one of the commenters!
The Regency Historical Drinking Game sounds like fun, I will have to try it with the next one I read.
I love that movie! You know me and cruising the movie shelves for indie flicks or stuff that just isn't main stream. *sheepish*
I even found myself wanting to embroider golden flowers on everything in sight. That movie has some seriously awesome atmosphere. LOVE it!
It's good to get your inspiration from multiple sources. You'll have a neverending pool of inspiration.
I can't wait till Golden! and the role reversal in Lady Doctor Wyre is going to be so fun!
I've never seen Curse of the Golden Flower. I'll have to keep an eye out for it.
I'm looking forward to hearing more about Golden.
Okay, that drinking game is hilarious and so true. Man, I would be so tanked if I tried that with any of the recent Regencies I've read. I've been looking forward to Lady Doctor Wyre ever since I read an excerpt on your blog awhile back. Best wishes on the release.
jen at delux dot com
Thanks everyone!
I adore that Regency Drinking Game - it totally cracks me up!
Maria, Definitely give Curse of the Golden Flower a try. It's one of my favorite all-time movies. I've seen it at least 20 times and still love it.
Thank you Stephanie! I definitely had fun with the reversals in Lady Doctor Wyre. I'm really dying to get into the whole virgin debutant hero thing in an upcoming book.
JenM, I'd be tanked too! Love it! (And I still love Regencies too -- I just laugh more thinking about the game)
I haven't seen Curse of the Golden Flower but now you've captured my curiosity. I can't wait!
JenM - you're the winner! Please drop me a note at joelysueburkhart AT gmail DOT com with your desired format. Thank you, everyone!
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