CURRENT INSPIRATIONS
I was first bitten by the writing bug at 12 years old. In English class, we were assigned to write a book of poems based on the forms we learned during the last quarter of the year. This included limericks and haikus, blank verse and free verse poems.
Like most things in school, I put my whole heart into this poetry project. I printed and cut out my original poems. With crimpy scissors. I drew my own illustrations on fluorescent construction paper. I bound the book with yarn. I had so much fun! My teacher gave me positive feedback, and I’d loved the process of writing. I’d enjoyed writing poetry more than anything else I’d done in school up to that point.
I remember going home after we finished the project; I wanted nothing more than to continue the work I’d enjoyed so much. After dinner, I began digging through my overstuffed closet for an old spiral notebook, tearing out the old math notes it contained (because who needs those, right?) and making room for my first just-for-fun free verse poems.
Teen writing at a table. Photo by Kyle Gregory Devaras on Unsplash
As any writer will tell you, reading is just as important as writing. That being said, reading has never been my strong suit.
I was (and still am) a slow reader, sometimes having to read sentences a few times in order to remember what was happening. I love the silence of reading, the transportation to new places and experiences, but I don’t like how long it takes me to process those things (yay education gaps).
After picking up the pen again after a long writing hiatus, I found myself trying to read more because, lo and behold, reading what’s published helps with writing publishable work!
Below are two books that helped spark the idea for Strangers, my YA contemporary fiction manuscript. These are not comp texts because they’re outside of the manuscript’s genre, but they still inspired the start of my story.
BOOK 1: I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day
The cover of Day’s novel from her website (as linked below).
As detailed in my last post, all I have of my grandparents is a copy of their wedding photo. I’m fortunate to have even that, but I still felt a sense of loss and confusion when I reflect on what more I could know had I been been curious sooner, or had been born in a different time.
In Christine Day’s middle-grade novel, Edie is also driven by a photograph. This character inspired me because how she felt really resonated with everything I felt about not knowing, about missing something foundational about our identities, and about finding solace in the things, however few, we manage to learn about our roots.
Whether you’re a teacher, a student, or someone looking to learn a little more about separated families or Indigenous issues, Day’s novel is well worth the read. Maybe her story will inspire you like it inspired me.
Interested in buying I Can Make This Promise? Buy Day’s book here: https://www.bychristineday.com/i-can-make-this-promise
BOOK 2: The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea
The cover of Urrea’s novel.
In my quest to tell a story about people long gone and a culture I didn’t understand, I searched for a book that dealt with those same mysteries. Upon first read, Urrea’s book didn’t seem to fit that description. However, when you read his author’s notes, it’s clear how much research, soul searching, interviewing, and time went into the creation of this captivating novel.
What was particularly inspiring about The Hummingbird’s Daughter, besides the unique characterization and vivid descriptions, was how little Urrea had to go off of when he got the idea to write about his mysterious family member.
When I reflect on the research of my grandparents, and when I think about what little I know and what I will never find out, I think back to the hurdles Urrea had to jump in order to put together the compelling story of his great-aunt Teresita to honor her legacy. This novel gives me hope that I can honor my family in a similar way, even without all of the answers I seek.
Interested in buying The Hummingbird’s Daughter? Buy Urrea’s book here: http://luisurrea.com/books/the-hummingbirds-daughter/
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