Where I Find Inspiration

by Annabella Michaels

People often ask authors where they find the inspiration for their books. For me, the answer is many, many places. Sometimes it can be as simple as a commercial I see on TV or a person I see on the street. Other times, it’s something more personal which brings about the first inklings of a storyline.

My first book, Feeding the Soul, was inspired by my nephew who as a young, gay man believes in true love and wants nothing more than to find his HEA. Caleb Greene’s sweet nature, his loyalty to his family and his courage to be exactly who he was meant to be were all inspired by this incredible young man.

The inspiration for Zane’s location in FOUND is based on one of my favorite places in the world, a place where I spent nearly every summer growing up. I won’t give it away in case there are people who haven’t had the chance to read it yet, but everything about his location was inspired by the memories I have of that very special place.

Recently, I woke up with a full story in my mind. I’m not sure if I’d been dreaming it or not, but I could see everything clearly, as if I were watching a movie. I grabbed my phone off the nightstand and jotted everything down in my notes before I could forget. That was the first time that has ever happened to me and while I may never know what inspired it, I thought it was a really cool experience.

Music is also a great inspiration for me. Most of my ideas come when I’m driving alone in my car with the radio turned up. Occasionally, it’s whole book ideas, but most of the time it inspires the mood for certain scenes or feelings for the theme of the book or a particular character.

My advice for anyone wanting to write would be to open your ears, your eyes and your mind to all the possibilities around you. Inspiration is lurking in every corner and can come from the smallest of things. Continue reading →