(I do not own this image. Image by Alquiler de Coches courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons.)
It’s funny to me, just how big an effect your brain can have on the creative process. Like, I have no problem at all with conjuring up worst-case scenarios. They often keep me awake at night, actually. You would think that being in a mental funk wouldn’t interfere with the brain’s ability to be creative, since it’s so good at picturing horrible things.
But that’s not true. Instead, for me, it seems to have the opposite effect: if my mental state isn’t optimal, I can’t be creative to save my life. It just isn’t happening. The Muse goes on a (mental) vacation, and is not available for comment.
Currently, my Muse is probably on the beach somewhere in Bora Bora. Hammock. White sand. Blue water. Refreshing drink. Sounds about right…
You know how I’ve decided not to worry about writing at all for the next four weeks, until the semester is over, so I don’t risk a brain meltdown? Turns out that taking an “official” break from writing has my Muse playing with story ideas.
Yep. True story.
Apparently, my Muse can’t wait to get back to work on Witches–which I haven’t looked at in years, and Chasing Shadows, which is more recent, but still not something I’ve thought about in like a year. Looks like I’ll be taking those two stories apart and revising them this summer. Plus working through HTTS with The Fall. I’m actually really excited about working on Witches. It was the first thing I started writing. I love the characters to pieces. I love the world. I love the plot. I even have the first draft of the second book written as well. I think the draft of Witches I have is over 300,000 words, though, so clearly there is a lot of work to be done, sigh.
But the Muse is stoked, and already at work in the back of my mind.
Shannon A. Thompson is an Indie author who has published poetry, short fiction, and young adult novels. She is currently working on her A Timely Death trilogy. The first book, Minutes Before Sunset, won a Goodreads award for Book of the Month. Ms Thompson also pens a popular blog giving tips and advice to fellow writers.
Eric Welborn is a typical teenager in some ways—angst, family drama, wanting to do his own thing—but that’s where he and “typical” end. He lives as a human during the day, but he has another, secret, life as well. For Eric is also a shade, the first descendant of the Dark, destined to do battle for his people when he turns eighteen. But Eric isn’t sure just how true everything he’s been told about the Prophecy is, and his frustration makes him do things he really shouldn’t.
Like ditch his guard and wander off on his own, where the Light, ancient enemies of his people, could sense him and destroy him before the Prophecy could be fulfilled. Eric meets a nameless shade who knows nothing about their people—or their world. As he teaches her, he realizes she’s far more powerful than she should be. Which means everything he’s thought was true for his entire life is a lie. Now Eric doesn’t know what to believe, or who to turn to. He just knows the nameless shade is the only one he feels he can trust.
Minutes Before Sunset is a fast-paced, well-written read that will appeal to fans of fantasy, as well as young adult readers. Ms Thompson has created an intriguing setting that is not your typical fantasy fare, with two separate worlds—the “real” world of high school and prom, and the world of Prophecy and Light and Dark. She brings both of these worlds to life, and her characters struggle with their lives in both worlds. Not only is the setting riveting and unique, but the characters are compelling, a combination sure to transport the reader to this magical world. The second novel in the A Timely Death trilogy, Seconds Before Sunrise, releases March 27th.
