The Secret to Writer’s Block: Misfit Inspiration - Guest Post Mandy Eve Barnett

Misfits
Written By Heather L. Barksdale

 

Writing Prompt Practice to Published Novel – A Process

11/12/21


When I began writing the most useful tool, I found were writing prompts, whether they were a collection of random words, a starter sentence or an image. My imagination was sparked into creating a story (sometimes a poem) from these prompts. As I became more confident in my writing ability, my narratives grew in length. Through prompts, I have been able to create fully realized novels from the smallest of initial ideas or thoughts. These ideas can come as a mental image, a snippet of dialogue, a location description or even a fully formed story. They allowed me to practice my skill of writing and continue to do so, even now with nine books published to date.

One such prompt was the embryonic start of my latest novel, The Commodore’s Gift. I was enjoying a writing retreat with several friends and as a retreat exercise, we were given a random title for a story. I received - The Toymaker. As we could chose to write (or not) I let my subconscious ponder this title overnight. For whatever reason, this title created a mental image of a dungeon with rock walls, water dripping, a meager bunk, a large wooden table and rickety stool and one small window with iron bars across it. The imprisoned person, a man, was sitting forlornly on the bunk in despair. As I let my mind wander the table filled with mechanical parts and the man became the captive toymaker. An imposing man with a mechanical eye and a veritable mean streak, walked into the dungeon and the Commodore was born, so to speak.

From this initial idea, I wrote a short story to share at retreats end. However, the toymaker had, by then, taken a grip on my imagination and over the next week or so I added approximately seven thousand words. Having ‘completed’ the story, I then researched possible anthologies that the narrative would fit. One such anthology was a steampunk issue. My story was accepted. Alas, after several weeks the project failed, and I was back to square one with the story. Although, I searched for other possible outlets, I was unable to find anything suitable. So, the story was put in a folder for another day. That day came several months later, when National Novel Writing Month was upon me. I returned to the toymaker and his plight. I thought to write an extension to the beginning and an impactful ending to create a steampunk novella. However, as I began to write a secondary character, Owena, began to demand more attention. She was the sister of a rebel force collaborator and was introduced when she is saved by her brother from a marketplace attack by the usurper King’s military force. I had not thought to continue her role much further than that, but have her and her companion sent to a safe house, while I followed the brother and his rebel companions.

Owena had other ideas. As we all know, characters are apt to push themselves forward as much more important within the narrative from time to time and change the direction of the plot. She became the main protagonist and my toymaker, a secondary character, although still an important cog (excuse the genre pun!) in the story. I enjoyed writing Owena’s character – a feisty, determined and surprisingly adept young woman in a male dominated society, with specific rules as to a woman’s place. When you read The Commodore’s Gift, I hope you will love her as much as I do.

This novel is not the only one that has germinated from a prompt. My medieval fantasy, The Rython Kingdom, was actually three prompts that melded together to form a story idea. Using my knowledge of English history and having often visited such castles as detailed in the story, it was easy to create a setting for my characters. The novella is actually two stories in one – the tale the troubadour tells the King’s court, and the story of the traveling troubadour, a wizened old woman, a beautiful sorceress and a vengeful witch and the parts each plays in a battle to destroy or save the kingdom.

My first children’s picture book, Rumble’s First Scare also started as a prompt. A delightful twist on the Halloween theme, with the main character being a cute monster on his first Hallows Eve excursion. Another draft novel is actually the melding of three intriguing true news stories, each one more bizarre than the next and too good not to utilize. This draft is currently on the backburner, as I write my current female led detective crime trilogy.

As writer’s inspiration comes from all around us. For example, I wrote Life in Slake Patch after a heated debate about the perception of women’s roles in our patriarchal society. The speculative fiction story is told through the experiences of a young man growing up in a matriarchal society. You may had realized by now that my narratives often include strong women characters. It is a reflection of my own life experience and growing confidence from shy teen to mature woman.

I feel it is our ability to create stories from our own insights and experiences that makes writing such an all-encompassing passion. I know my creativity allows me to create a physical form of my imagination – long may it continue with inspiration from the world around me.


I hope that these ideas help you to break through! 

Disclaimer: This post is exclusively the words and views of the guest blogger and do not necessarily represent the views of Heather L. Barksdale. The story featured has not been read or reviewed by Heather’s bookshelf.

Still getting writer’s block?  Tell me how I can help!

Heather L. Barksdale

Heather Barksdale has been a physical therapist, a researcher, a military brat, and now a novelist. She has also traveled throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia seeking adventure. She is an avid fan of historical fiction and calls upon her adventures as inspiration for her stories. She and her husband share their home in Jacksonville, Florida where she enjoys snuggling with her cats and rooting for the Jaguars.

https://heatherlbarksdale.com
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