Inspiration, for me, has come as much from darkness as the beauty around me. Often, when I write, I go into a mood that can only be described as a 'bad place'. I've often wondered why. I suppose it's because of the level of emotion that I tap into...emotions that are so intense I usually keep them locked away. Still, a lot of people have asked me about the inspiration behind some of my stories. I will try to oblige:
The Story Of Us:
This is the first real story that I ever wrote. Sure, I wrote little snippets here and there, but this was my really ambitious project. Surprisingly the words came easily. I suppose they often do when you're in love. Yes, it is a real story...based on a real person. No, we did not last. I'm imagining a collective groan from all the romantics out there, but I think it's better than having you believe a lie. My ex and I are now the best of friends...and I wouldn't have it any other way. Sometimes I think that she's the only family I have left. And that is what she has become now...family. The only trace of any romantic relationship is this one story. She told me that I should remove it...that it's only going to cause me a lot of grief from other women. I refused. That is a part of my life and, while there were bad times, there were a lot of good times that have made me the person I am today. I have a right to remember.
A Perfect World:
Am I in here? Yes I am...and some of those things did happen, but not all. I've taken a lot of liberties, but hopefully the Muses will forgive me. I know what it's like to hurt to the point where you don't want to live. I know what it's like to feel betrayed to the point where you doubt that you'll ever be able to trust again. I had actually started writing that letter which appears at the beginning of the story. I suppose my Guardian Angel was looking out for me and inspired me to find a better use for it. It just took on a life of its own after that.
Illusions:
Would you believe that this started as a dare? A very good friend of mine requested a custom-made story as a present and remarked that she didn't believe I could do a love scene. I protested. As you can tell, I cannot. I am much too shy to ever be able to write anything quite as graphic as I've read. As for the content of the story: I had a few pages written that I had hoped would eventually (magically) turn into a novel. I was hopelessly stuck, until I decided to do a short story instead. From there, the words just flowed. Of course it helps that I find Angelique incredibly alluring and truly enjoy writing about her.
Let Love Endure:
I suppose you could call this my ode to a healing heart. Where did this one come from? I honestly don't know. I just had a flash of inspiration and finished it in one night. Needless to say, I was exhausted afterwards. It's my way of saying that I'm ready to move on...that love hurts, but it's still worth fighting for.
I Ask, You Answer:
For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, I have a mild obsession with vampires...with the supernatural in general actually. No, I am not wont to stake out graveyards and the like...I am happy to let my imagination do the work for me. This started out as my attempt at a humorous piece, but I don't do humor well and I was grossly unsatisfied with the first incarnation. This final product is a little darker...just the way I like it.
Just One Night:
I've never been like most other people, especially when it comes to relationships. For me the cardinal sin is not cheating. I've been through that and, as much as it hurt, I've forgiven...once. For me, the greatest transgression that you can commit against me is not appreciating my efforts...taking me for granted. That is what I will not stand for. Or at least that's what I always say. I got to thinking about whether or not I'd be able to do it...whether I could actually walk away if the situation warranted it...and this is what I came up with.
Feeding Time:
People make me sick. No, no, not all people. Just those who seem to view taking human lives as an amusement. Just those who prey on the innocent and get their kicks from instilling fear. I've often wondered what would happen if someone like that came up against a real creature of the night. What would happen if predator were to get pitted against predator instead of prey? It may be a disturbing fantasy but, given some of the things you see in the news today, I think that I might just be forgiven for it.
A Yearning Unknown:
Would you believe that I got the idea for this one in a dream? Just goes to show you how much of a sick puppy I truly am, doesn't it? Some people have complained that it's too short. I take that as a compliment. How could I not when it means that there are those who actually want to read more of my words? I really wanted to keep the essence of mystery alive in this one, so I didn't go into too much of a detailed story. I like what I ended up with...little moments in time documenting the agony of infidelity, with a twist.