Like all authors, I’ve been asked in the past whether what I write is from experience. I suspect most writers of fiction do draw from elements of their lives. That doesn’t mean to say JK Rowling attended a school of witchcraft and wizardry, or that Douglas Adams escaped Earth moments before it was destroyed to make way for a hyperspace bypass. Very often the big picture storyline is a creation of the imagination, but some of the details that go to make up the story (the characters, the conversations, even the motives) can be inspired by experience. I’ll definitely hold my hands up to this.
When I was asked by Hugh at Hugh’s News and Views if I’d like to write a guest post for his blog, the kind of thing he was looking for suggested I should retell a true story from my past. I ended up writing the first one that came to mind, which turned out to be a story that inspired a brief passage from Carrion. It’s only a few lines in a long story, but it meant something to me, and I hope readers will get something from it too.
To read the post, click on the image of the map below. I hope you enjoy it as much as Hugh’s followers seem to have done.
As for the passage in Carrion. Here’s how it ends:
“You know, there’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity.” He looked down, and Salin followed his gaze as the hoop was suddenly caught in the current and splintered as it slammed against one of the rocks. Dalwin looked back at his son. “I don’t want to cross it today. Let’s go and make another one.”
Something To Think About
2020 has been a challenging year. One of the many outcomes of the pandemic has been the impact on small businesses, with many fighting hard to adapt and survive. If you can do it safely, please support small and local businesses. They make a difference.
Although you might not think of them as such, among those small businesses are authors. If you’re looking to buy something special for Christmas, why not introduce your family and friends to a new author? Check out the authors you’ve discovered in recent times – you never know, they might be willing to provide a signed copy (or even include a personalised message).