My latest historical biography/novel is Patti Callahan Henry’s Once Upon a Wardrobe.

This is basically a biography of C.S. “Jack” Lewis, author of the Narnia books and so many more. He has always been a favorite author of mine so I’ve read both of Patti’s books about him (the other one is Becoming Mrs. Lewis, about his friendship/love with Joy Davidson). However, as with her first biography, there is so much more than dry facts.

In Once Upon a Wardrobe, we meet fictional characters Megs Devonshire and her little brother, George, who has a fatal heart condition and likely won’t live to see age eight. George has read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, which was just released, and is anxious to know where Narnia and Aslan came from. Megs, a mathematics student at Oxford, vows to ask the author, who is a professor at the school, George’s questions and give her brother the answers he seeks. In the process, she learns about Jack’s life, his thoughts and dreams, and his beliefs.

This isn’t a carefree book about happy childhoods but Patti handles the story expertly, pulling us into Megs’ and George’s lives as they talk about Jack’s childhood and experiences. You should have a box of tissues handy, especially for the last chapter, but you’ll be glad you read the book at the end. Megs finds her own beliefs changing as she listens to Jack and his brother Warnie relate their story, and as she meets fellow student, the charismatic Irishman Padraig Cavender (who does not believe that math and physics explain the universe, as Megs initially does).

I give this book a very rare 5-star review, and you know how picky I am about that fifth star. You’ll cheer and weep as you read this story. If you have any interest in C.S. Lewis, or in spirituality, imagination, and religion, you should read this book.

Another of my favorite authors is Laurie R. King. Her Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russel stories are set just after the Great War and I love all the historical and geographical details she drops into the books.

In these stories, Holmes has met his match in his young protege Miss Russell, whose mind rivals his own. The two team up for several mysteries before … well, I won’t spoil the surprise. Suffice to say it’s a logical decision.

I’m rereading the stories because Ms. King has a new book coming out very soon, wherein Holmes and Russell travel to Transylvania. Should be a fun read! I love the lyrical language in the books. Ms. King really knows how to turn a phrase. I’d love to learn how to do that — my characters tend to be wisecrackers who’d rather let go with a snarky comment than a poignant line.

If you like historical mystery novels, especially if they feature Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Mycroft — and of course Mrs. Hudson! — you should read these books. I’m off to reread my favorite sections again…

I’ve been asked to name an author who influenced me. This is such a hard question because I read so much and have so many “favorite” authors!

I have to say that Tony Hillerman would be one of them, though. I’ve read and loved all of his books, especially the Navajo Tribal Police series. His depictions of the different Native American cultures is always spot-on and he can make you feel as if you’re really out there in the American Southwest.

I can never manage to write a mystery, though I love reading them. I tend to skimp on red herrings and forget about wrapping up the clues properly. Hillerman, however, was a master of the subplot and a genius at distributing clues along the way to the ending. I never quite managed to figure out “whodunnit” before he revealed the culprit.

And I loved the way he depicted the Native Americans in his stories: just ordinary folks living their lives as best they could, trying to be the best human they could be–like all of us. They’re not stereotypical “Injuns,” but normal people you feel you could sit down and share a cup of coffee or a glass of beer with. Hillerman didn’t gloss over the problems of life on “the rez,” but he didn’t dwell them either. After all, we have plenty of poverty-stricken or drug-addicted whites barely hanging on or living on the streets. We’re all just human, after all.

I hope I learned a few things from Tony Hillerman: how to make your characters real people, how to sprinkle clues along the plot line of your tale, and how to make the setting just another character. I know one thing: I still enjoy rereading my battered paperback copies of his stories.

How does a writer keep their muse healthy?

One of the things I like to do as I write is listen to music. I turn it on low and let my favorite songs play in the background. Right now, I’m hooked on U2-X-Radio on SiriusXM. They play U2 songs, of course, but also songs that the band members like and songs that inspired them, so it’s an eclectic mix. I also listen to movies and TV shows if I’ve seen them enough so they don’t distract me from the story I’m working on. Movies like Lord of the Rings and old John Wayne Westerns are good for that–I’ve seen them so many times that I can let them be background noise instead of paying close attention to the show.

Another inspiration is reading, of course. I try to keep up with some of the newer stories in my chosen genres, although I don’t always enjoy the dystopian stuff that seems to have become so popular nowadays. I do enjoy a good Western novel (I even like the odd “mail order bride” tale upon occasion) and am partial to mysteries even if I cannot write them effectively. Scifi and historical fiction are harder to keep up with. There aren’t a lot of novels which sound interesting to me (that dystopian thing) but I do make the attempt. I’m not a huge fan of overly political stories either–the ones where the characters have to fight conspiracies or “the old order” to succeed. I’d much rather read a good coming-of-age story or something about aliens surviving on their own planets.

I’m hoping the country is ready for some lighter-hearted stories again after all this dystopian political negativity. I, for one, have had enough realism in my novels and would like to see some humor again. And I can only hope I’m not the only one, because that’s what I tend to write.

What about you? What do you find that inspires you to write? How do you keep your muse healthy?

Do you have anything that always inspires you to write? Here are some of the things that never fail to give me ideas:

What inspires you?

Sometimes the same old writing space just isn’t stimulating your creativity any longer. If you’re staring at your walls waiting for inspiration, try shaking things up by getting out of the house and trying a new writing spot.

Here are 10 places you might try (plus a bonus):

• The Library – yes, it’s still everybody’s go-to spot for out-of-the-house working. There’s usually free Wi-fi and the librarians will be happy to help you with any research questions. No eating or drinking, but if you just want a few hours of quiet time, you can’t beat this spot.
• A coffee shop – this is a writer’s classic choice for several reasons. Caffeine is great for stimulating the brain, and there are snacks and sometimes even meals available. They usually have free Wi-fi as well. Just be mindful of the business end: if they’re really busy, don’t monopolize a table for more than an hour, and if you do stay longer on a quiet day, do order frequently and tip well.
• A Museum – sitting in front of an inspiring painting or sculpture can be stimulating, so consider an annual membership to your local museum. Or, if you’re not planning to visit that often, see if they have discount tickets or free days.
• An Aquarium – sitting in front of a relaxing underwater scene can be equally stimulating. Look into that annual membership, or ask about discounts.
• The Zoo – similar to an aquarium, only you’ll probably be outside. See if they have a reasonable annual membership or discounts.
• The Mall – just as many people head to the mall for exercise, writers can find a quiet spot to work – or head to the food court for a table. Many malls offer free Wi-fi.
• A Station – bus, train, subway … the idea is to plant yourself in a corner and get some work done while you people-watch. Just don’t get too distracted.
• A train – you know I can testify to this one! Even a short trip can result in a great deal of work, and the “roomettes” offer privacy and electrical outlets.
• Parks – if you’re lucky, your town or city has at least one decent public park or garden where you feel creatively stimulated. You can get some sun while you work, too.
• Your Local College – campuses offer literally hundreds of nooks for studying or working. Investigate your local university to locate an under-utilized spot or to borrow their library.
• Rent an RV – if you’ve got some spare cash, think about renting a camper and doing a mini-retreat somewhere nearby. Just park, sit at the table (or outside), and get some work done.

What’s your go-to writing spot?

Here are some ideas for “Stone” Kirkham’s looks:

Stone’s proudest feature is his fine mustache…

 

Stone is a serious fellow … hard working and ambitious

 

He wears the latest fashion … only not perhaps as fine as Chance’s outfits

 

 

Stone is a bit proud of his achievements…

 

 

 

He’s a bit too straight-laced for the lads…

 

Here are some ideas for what Emily might look like:

She’s not traditionally beautiful, but the lads like her looks

Smiling was frowned upon when having your picture taken…

 

 

 

Emily does have a nice figure…

 

 

She is a modern women … of the 1870’s

Here are some of the photos that inspired Kye’s look. Yes, it’s all Wild Bill Hickok – Kye has never looked like anyone else!

Here are some of the character ideas I’ve checked out for Chance:

His hair is this curly but the bangs hang down into his eyes most of the time

More curly hair

This is his baseline expression … might even be Chance with his hair slicked down under control…

He’s kinda cute…

 Messy but cute…Love the curls, David!