Another title for this blog might have been, “What to do when the well runs dry?” That question, or a variation, is something creative people are frequently asked. I’ve done blogs in the past touching on the subject but I thought I’d take a look back at it. Partially due to the fact that I struggled to choose a topic for this month. Not being prepared to turn to ChatGPT, I asked myself what is it that inspires me?

Firstly, I don’t recommend waiting around for the Inspiration Fairy to show up. Staring at a blank screen or page can instill a sense of stress, even panic that can stifle creativity. In such a case, I recommend you do something unrelated to the artistic endeavour you’re engaged in. Take your dog for a walk, chat with a friend, sew a quilt, climb a mountain, lead a rebellion against a fascist empire to impress a romantic interest – just a minute, let me jot that down.

Secondly, having interests outside your writing or art can actually help you broaden your imagination. This in turn will grant you more resources on which to draw for inspiration. Love to garden? Perhaps it inspires you to create the story of a homicide detective that is hunting a serial killer with a fetish for rare plants. Or perhaps you’ll draw a charming flower fairy for a children’s book.

Collect vintage toys? Perhaps you write a rom-com about two rivals competing to purchase an antique toy from an eccentric collector. Or you use toys to create an installation about the decline in handmade items in competition with mass-produced cheap toys?

Or while watching a scary movie, you question the behaviour of a malevolent spirit and your wondering inspires a scary story of your own.

Such was the case for my first novel, The Witch’s Foundling. I can’t even remember the name of the horror/scary film I was watching but it featured a ghost, killing people in revenge for the injustices they suffered in life. I recall thinking, “Why is the ghost killing innocent people who never did anything to them? What kind of story could you create, centred around a spirit that sought to atone, rather than hurt?” Thus, the character of Samdriel was formed. Very quickly the image for his first meeting with Sally followed and I built the world of The Witch’s Foundling from there.

Other artists can also be a source of inspiration. As a big fan of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, choosing an isolated, Victorian manor for my main setting felt like a natural choice. I loved the creepy, gothic aesthetic in terms of mood and location and how the 19th century societal structures could affect/constrain my protagonists. Overlaying that approach, the quote from author Maya Anjelou provided some guidance: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel.” With that in mind, I tried to build a strong emotional foundation to my Gaslamp/Gothic Fantasy. All together those sources have been enough for me to write five books. (Only the first and second books are out though.)

Sometimes my illustrative work allows me a break from writing and exercises other parts of my brain. These complimentary interests keep me investing in my imagination. My palomino Pegasus is an example. In my second novel, The Secret Cage, lightning has a symbolic significance. Can’t say if that directly influenced the creation of my latest design you’ll find on our Redbubble store, but it certainly didn’t hurt. Can you picture yourself riding a mythical beast like this across stormy skies? Or maybe you’d just prefer to read about it? Let us know on our Facebook or Instagram pages.