It’s funny how a new idea hits you. I’ve been in that start-stop-start-stop space for over a year. No great ideas. Nothing that really gets me excited to write. I’ve started and stopped a couple of projects and I had really begun to wonder if I would have another great idea or if I would write another book.

Well, that all changed last week when I had a really cool and strange dream that finally drove me from the stagnant place I’ve been stuck in for the past several months. Anyway, the good news is I am now working on expanding the idea that hit me back in December when I was on my honeymoon in New Zealand. Yup, that means I’m telling the story of the BARTENDER and I couldn’t be more excited 🙂

There are several reasons I love the idea of telling the story of a bartender. First, in fantasy, and in a lot of other fiction, the bartender is never the hero/heroine. Instead, the bartender either aids or hinders the main character. Second, I was a bartender in my twenties and I still believe writing about a skill you have or an experience you’ve had brings out really special moments and unique descriptions that can’t be brought to the surface if you’re just learning about something but haven’t actually done it in real life. I’ve written about this before. Research is necessary and important and you can create a great story by learning about most things. I don’t mean to counter this. But, there’s nothing like first-hand experience.

The world building is slow going. Really, I’m just working on learning about Nicolette (aka Nyx) and figuring out her story which leads to some more info about the world around her. Nyx was there before (she actually jumped into my consciousness back in December), but I didn’t have much about her beyond knowing that she went off on an adventure to find her father and brother and that she’s a bit of a dark figure – not your typical hero mettle. But now, thanks to my strange dream, I know that she gets sidetracked from the get-go (and this is where you’ll see that golden hero skin peak through). Instead, she gets pulled into an international incident aboard a merchant’s ship and ends up helping a fugitive woman with telekinetic powers. Having that microcosm plot alongside the macrocosm plot is really significant and I think means I will have a good story to tell.

As I’m working through those intro details, I’ve been thinking more about what makes a good story and also how to bring out more details. I’d love to hear from you how you find inspiration when you’re creating the building blocks for your story. For me, it tends to be much more organic and things around me spark inspiration and then my brain starts to crank. Unfortunately, that means I don’t have much control over how things progress in these early stages. If you have advice for me (and any readers who pop in here), please share! I would love some new ideas for bringing out that inspiration!

As things keep moving, I’ll continue to update you on challenges and interesting situations that pop up as I’m world building and character building – and of course when I begin writing officially as well. We’ll see where this takes me 🙂 And, I hope that any writing going on in YOUR world is quick, and fruitful!

A Quick Invitation to my Readers
Lastly, before I go, I want to extend a special invitation to my readers! When I’m not working or writing, I am volunteering my time as a member of the Young Professionals Board at Jewish Vocational Service of Kansas City (jvskc.org). We’re planning a Trivia Night for September 15 at 6:30 pm Central Standard Time. If you are looking for something to do, we’d love to have you! You can form a team with you friends and family and have everyone sign up. OR, if you don’t have a group to join you, sign up solo and we’ll put you on a team! Tickets are $15 each. All proceeds go to JVS! You can check out details of the event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jvs-virtual-trivia-night-creating-home-together-tickets-115389586359?aff=erelexpmlt

Photo by Mike from Pexels