Unpacking Inspiration

Where I Got the Idea for My First Novel

Since announcing my first novel, one topic seems to come up over and over again in conversation; what inspired me to write The Scion Conspiracy and the Crucible of Legacy series? I would love to be able to give a succinct answer to that question, but inspiration is a funny thing. Some people speak of inspiration like a lightning bolt that hit them all at once, imbuing them with a fully formed story concept that they are then compelled to create. But, for me at least, writing is not like that. I have been writing since I was in my teens and the one thing I’ve learned beyond a doubt it that it is a process. It is the sum total of dozens of different influences coming together in an inexplicable way that I can neither fully control nor explain. It’s like trying to trace all the contributing materials that built up a house. It might be possible, given enough time and effort, but it seems like more trouble than its worth.

But, despite all that, I will highlight a few major pieces that have helped lay the foundation upon which I built my proverbial house. It all starts with a deep and abiding love for fantasy. I have read fantasy since I was a kid, having been brought up on such authors as Brian Jacque’s, Emily Rodda, Tamora Pierce, the Eddings, Christopher Paolini, and of course JK Rowling and JRR Tolkien. Of course, as I grew older, other genres came into my life like scifi, horror, literary fiction and even nonfiction like history and biography. But for me, fantasy will always be what first made me into a lifelong lover of literature and it was why my first series had to be fantasy.

Speaking of developing tastes, I can’t ignore the obvious impact of many great modern fantasy authors in my own work. Joe Abercrombie, George RR Martin, Stephen King and Tad Williams are all among those I credit with influencing my novels, especially in consideration of tone, character and pacing. Had I not read and been so enthralled by many of these, I would never have developed such a taste for intricate worlds and multi-layered plots, character driven narratives and deeper themes. I must also acknowledge my own interests outside of fantasy here as well. Like many aging dudes in their 30’s, I have a keen interest in history and it has palpably influenced my writing. The backdrop of an Age of Exploration with the rising of a powerful middle class of merchants and traders is one example. The complexities of governments as they move from the last throes of sovereignties to more modern representative governments is another. While I will always enjoy the static medieval backdrop of traditional fantasy, I cannot deny it is far more interesting to me to write in a world that is expanding and growing in new and unexpected ways.

Lastly, I want to touch on some of my own life experiences. Writing is a deeply personal experience. It is challenging and complex and difficult. You put a lot of yourself into it. If I had written this book ten years ago, it might have been a lot more quickly paced and action heavy, with far less complexity and character focus. But as someone who has spent years in the fire service and seen a great deal of humanity at its best and worst, I am just as interested in what leads to the action as I am the scenes themselves. As a husband and father who has had to develop a greater sense and appreciation for the struggles and intricacies of relationships, it is just as compelling to write a tense familial drama as it is to write a sword fight. This might mean my books won’t connect as well with everyone. But that’s okay. I’m just happy to write my stories, the way I want to write them.