Amy McIntosh's Blog
April 1, 2023
Finding Inspiration
If you’re a writer or an artist or have a creative mind, you know that inspiration can come from anywhere. Whether it’s a beautiful sunset, a conversation with a friend, or a walk in the woods. The world is full of inspiration waiting to be discovered.
I have always been a keen reader myself so other authors and their methods of story-telling have played a huge part in helping me find my own voice as a writer. When creating Mim the Mouse’s tiny world, I have been hugely inspired by other tiny worlds found specifically in books like Bramley Hedge, the charming tales by Beatrix Potter, and William Horwood’s Duncton Wood.
These books have had a profound impact on me as a writer. They’ve taught me about the importance of world-building, character development and the power of storytelling. Each one is a masterclass in its own right and reading them has helped me develop my own writing style.
Bramley Hedge, for example, is a series of children’s books written and illustrated by Jill Barklem. Set in an idyllic English countryside populated by mice, it’s a fantastic example of world-building. Barklem’s illustrations are exquisite and every page is full of tiny, intricate details that bring the world of Bramley Hedge to life.
Beatrix Potter, of course, needs no introduction. Her books, such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit, have been beloved by children and adults alike for over a century. Potter’s use of anthropomorphic animals, combined with her delicate watercolour illustrations, creates a magical world that captures the imagination and her love of nature is evident on every page.
Finally, William Horwood’s Duncton Wood is a more recent discovery for me. The series of novels, set in a world populated by moles, offers incredible character development and storytelling. Horwood creates a rich, complex world with its own mythology and history. His characters are deep and nuanced, with their own fears, desires, and motivations. Reading Duncton Wood has helped me to understand the importance of character arcs and how to create characters that readers care about.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for inspiration for your writing, look no further than the books that you love to read. By studying the techniques and styles of other writers, you can learn new skills that will help you to become a better writer yourself. With millions of books being written every year, I look forward to learning something new and developing my writing style every time I read one!
I have always been a keen reader myself so other authors and their methods of story-telling have played a huge part in helping me find my own voice as a writer. When creating Mim the Mouse’s tiny world, I have been hugely inspired by other tiny worlds found specifically in books like Bramley Hedge, the charming tales by Beatrix Potter, and William Horwood’s Duncton Wood.
These books have had a profound impact on me as a writer. They’ve taught me about the importance of world-building, character development and the power of storytelling. Each one is a masterclass in its own right and reading them has helped me develop my own writing style.
Bramley Hedge, for example, is a series of children’s books written and illustrated by Jill Barklem. Set in an idyllic English countryside populated by mice, it’s a fantastic example of world-building. Barklem’s illustrations are exquisite and every page is full of tiny, intricate details that bring the world of Bramley Hedge to life.
Beatrix Potter, of course, needs no introduction. Her books, such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit, have been beloved by children and adults alike for over a century. Potter’s use of anthropomorphic animals, combined with her delicate watercolour illustrations, creates a magical world that captures the imagination and her love of nature is evident on every page.
Finally, William Horwood’s Duncton Wood is a more recent discovery for me. The series of novels, set in a world populated by moles, offers incredible character development and storytelling. Horwood creates a rich, complex world with its own mythology and history. His characters are deep and nuanced, with their own fears, desires, and motivations. Reading Duncton Wood has helped me to understand the importance of character arcs and how to create characters that readers care about.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for inspiration for your writing, look no further than the books that you love to read. By studying the techniques and styles of other writers, you can learn new skills that will help you to become a better writer yourself. With millions of books being written every year, I look forward to learning something new and developing my writing style every time I read one!
