Writers watch everything! We can be at an airport waiting
for our flight, or in a small café sipping a coffee. One thing is for sure. A
writer is always watching, inventing a plot, creating characters from real
people and real places.
On a business trip to Portland, Oregon two years ago, a
story emerged. The minute I stepped foot in Portland ̶ no, that’s a lie, even
from the sky as I looked down into the waters and greenery ̶ I fell in love
with the city. So, I’m going to take you on a trip with this blog post. A trip
of a writer’s mind and how everything ̶ EVERYONE ̶ turns into a story.
My newest release, TimeOut, Valentine was born in Portland and I’m so lucky to have pictures to
prove it! It all really started with a couple… a random couple I stalked ̶-
ahem, I mean watched at the International Test Rose Garden. As I ate my lunch,
I watched this young couple sit down under a huge tree next to several rose bushes.
This couple called to me. What a romantic date, surrounded by roses! So, my
characters Lexi and Grant came to life. I even took a picture of the mystery
couple. I wish I could find them now to thank them for the spark of Time Out, Valentine. Here’s a picture of
the couple and the gorgeous Rose Garden.
As Lexi and Grant continued to speak to me, the places
around Portland inspired me, too. How could it get better than Voodoo Donuts or
the colorful West End houses. The Portland culture is my favorite part of the
City of Roses and these two locations are a prime example of it. Here’s a
picture of Voodoo Donuts. Everywhere I went, walking down the street, on the
Metro, even in the hotel lobby, I’d find a person walking around with the pink
box.
Located around the
corner from my hotel was a block of food carts. This is another iconic tourist
attraction ̶ the amounts of food carts around the city. So many choices of
delicious treats. So, of course, in Time
Out, Valentine Lexi and Grant visit the food carts. Here’s a picture of the
food carts near my hotel.
The moral of my blog post is … writers are everywhere and
watch everything. We have to get our ideas from somewhere. So, the next time
you’re sitting at a baseball game or waiting in line at Starbucks, remember you
could have an admirer nearby. You could be a writer’s inspiration.
Here’s the information about my novella, Time Out, Valentine, a perfect read for
Valentine’s season.
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TIME OUT, VALENTINE
Lexi’s life is one big dump. Or so she thinks. To keep her mind off her latest breakup, she stays busy with work. It’s no big deal, since writing for Time Out Portland Magazine is a blast…except for the one small snag – Grant Reeds. Grant, a shy but sexy computer geek, is new to Time Out, working as the Networking Director for the online magazine. Even though Lexi thinks he doesn’t notice her, he sure as hell does. The owners have a plan for their upcoming Valentine’s Special, pairing up the two to explore romantic date ideas around the city. Soon, Lexi and Grant learn that the old adage, “Opposites Attract,” can ring true.
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LINKS:
TRAILER LINK: http://youtu.be/DK4hVHiVAmo
Have you ever been to a place or seen a person who sparks your writing inspiration? Tell me all about it in the comments below!
Thank you for having me today! :) It was fun.
ReplyDeleteMy younger sister and I used to have fun sitting down and watching people as they go by... we would make up little stories about them... have not done that in years.
ReplyDeleteYep! That's what I do all the time, especially in airports or anywhere that I'm alone.
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