You know what I realized recently? I was on a jog—heart pounding, panting, iPod blasting—and I kept seeing all these gorgeous flowers, plants and trees along the road in my neighborhood, and I realized that much, if not all, of my writing is inspired by nature. Maybe this is 100 percent corny, I don’t know. All I know is that the beauty of the natural world provides some crazy inspiration for my novels. Let’s count the ways:
The Violets of March: Wood violets stand for forgiveness and reconciliation in the story. (If you’d like to read some backstory at how I arrived at this inspiration, check out this post.)
The Bungalow (out in March): Hibiscus symbolizes passion and jealousy. (And that yellow hibiscus made its way to the cover, even!)
Novel #3 (title to be announced soon!): Blackberry vines symbolize protection and fragility.
I have outlined two other novels, and—you guessed it—they all nod to nature in some way. In one sense it’s fitting—I love to garden and be outdoors, and yet I’m not entirely outdoorsy. (Case in point: My husband has been trying to get me to go camping for 10 years, and I still haven’t said yes!)
Anywho, show me a flower or a plant and I’ll cook up a novel from it. Somehow nature is my ultimate muse and fuel.
Does nature inspire you in certain ways?
xo, Sarah
I do have a great appreciation for nature. Also for indoor plumbing, which is why my appreciation for nature doesn’t extend to camping. 😉
Linda, we are kindred spirits, you and I. 🙂
Do Crapisodes count? The inverse of flowers, I’m quite certain.
Haha. Yes, crapisodes count. 🙂
You know, I’ve been traveling so much that I pretty much missed spring here entirely, and I looked out the window yesterday and noticed that the piles of sticks bushes outside my window were full and green. So much so that a sweet little bunny was taking a snooze in the shade of one of them. Gorgeous!
Aw, did you take a picture?
Sarah, that means you never will run out of inspiration!
I HOPE I won’t run out of inspiration! 🙂 xo
This is so fascinating to me!
I’m definitely with you on the nature = inspiration thing (though my walks tend to take the form of hikes with my dog).
Tawna
You would be so inspired at our house. Norm is the best gardener. He plans the yard so that we have something blooming each month once the snow melts. My favorites are the dark purple tulips he planted last fall while I was away.
Unfortunately, nature doesn’t inspire me but your writing does. I LOVED your book!! I cannot wait to read the next.
Here’s a little tidbit that you may not know. I have a friend living on Bainbridge at the moment. I told him he should read your book. So, he went to the library only to find that there is a waiting list of 54 people! Isn’t that awesome?!?!? You should donate a couple of copies so the word can spread more quickly.
Missy, thanks for your sweet comment! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed VIOLETS, and how fun that your friend’s library has 54 request for my book. That is such a huge compliment, and yes, I will have to donate a copy! I will look into that! Too fun. xo
I love this post! I’m inspired by nature, but not as directly. It fuels and re-energizes me, and takes me out of my own head in a way that leaves me able to kick more butt at everything else.