Robin Mahle's Blog - Posts Tagged "novel"
The Inspiration Behind Redwood Violet
The odd thing about inspiration is that sometimes it's present when you don't even realize it. I have always been a fan of mystery/suspense novels, so that's what I enjoy writing. It wasn't until I was working on a draft of a novel, which incidentally, still sits unfinished on a flash drive, that the idea for Redwood Violet came back to me. I say 'came back' because it was always there, boxed up in my mind and labeled, "For when she realizes she's supposed to be a writer."
When I was very young, I would say maybe eight or nine years old, I had this recurring dream of being chased by a looming shadowy figure; very frightening, really. In fact, the book was originally title, Shadow Man, to more accurately reflect the vision that always haunted my sleep. I can't recall exactly when the dreams stopped, but the unknown, faceless figure has always stayed with me.
Fortunately, in my case, this was simply the dream of a young girl with an overactive imagination and in no way relates to the events my main character, Katie had suffered in the story.
I first attempted to write a novel in my late twenties. I had always been the creative type; high school theater geek, transitioned to college theater geek and then eventually took a shot at acting professionally. I think we call all guess how that turned out! So, I struggled to find another creative outlet, which eventually led to a haphazard attempt at a semi-autobiographical book about two people brought together by fate. (ie, the story of how I met my English husband)
It didn't take long for me to realize I hadn't a clue as to how to write a book. Nor did it take me long to realize the fact that the storyline probably wouldn't interest as many people as I might like to believe.
So, I tucked away that ambition in pursuit of a more secure future, having a family and a career. But, after all that had unfolded, I was still left with a void. It was a void that could not be filled with the love of my family because it was a different kind of void. It was a deeply personal emptiness that I struggled with for years.
When I took to writing again about four years ago, it was because the economy was in the toilet and so was my career. But lo and behold, the void slowly began to fill with each online article I wrote, each essay, short story and eventually, my novel, Redwood Violet.
So, I guess my inspiration for writing this book came from years of searching for my true passion.
My imagination that has, once again, begun giving off sparks and the love and support from my amazing family also inspired this novel.
When I was very young, I would say maybe eight or nine years old, I had this recurring dream of being chased by a looming shadowy figure; very frightening, really. In fact, the book was originally title, Shadow Man, to more accurately reflect the vision that always haunted my sleep. I can't recall exactly when the dreams stopped, but the unknown, faceless figure has always stayed with me.
Fortunately, in my case, this was simply the dream of a young girl with an overactive imagination and in no way relates to the events my main character, Katie had suffered in the story.
I first attempted to write a novel in my late twenties. I had always been the creative type; high school theater geek, transitioned to college theater geek and then eventually took a shot at acting professionally. I think we call all guess how that turned out! So, I struggled to find another creative outlet, which eventually led to a haphazard attempt at a semi-autobiographical book about two people brought together by fate. (ie, the story of how I met my English husband)
It didn't take long for me to realize I hadn't a clue as to how to write a book. Nor did it take me long to realize the fact that the storyline probably wouldn't interest as many people as I might like to believe.
So, I tucked away that ambition in pursuit of a more secure future, having a family and a career. But, after all that had unfolded, I was still left with a void. It was a void that could not be filled with the love of my family because it was a different kind of void. It was a deeply personal emptiness that I struggled with for years.
When I took to writing again about four years ago, it was because the economy was in the toilet and so was my career. But lo and behold, the void slowly began to fill with each online article I wrote, each essay, short story and eventually, my novel, Redwood Violet.
So, I guess my inspiration for writing this book came from years of searching for my true passion.
My imagination that has, once again, begun giving off sparks and the love and support from my amazing family also inspired this novel.
Would You Choose a Different Path?
So I’m back to work on my latest manuscript and I’m really excited to be delving into some new characters after having worked on a series for the past eighteen months.
This new novel deals a lot with the decisions we’ve made in our lives and whether or not we’d wished we’d chosen a different path. That got me thinking, not just about this novel, but about the choices I’ve made in my own life. Could I have chosen a different path? They say hind sight is 20/20, but if I had made different choices when I was at a cross-road, to which there have been many, would I still have ended up right here, exactly where I’m at today? Fate, destiny… that sort of thing, you know? If we ultimately end up in the same place, does that mean our paths are predetermined? Mind-boggling, I know!
It’s funny because I have never really thought about it until now. I’m not the type of person to look back. I never have been. Sometimes I think that can be a good thing, but it can also be a hindrance. If I had examined some of my past decisions, would I be better suited to handle certain situations in my life now? We are supposed to learn from our mistakes, aren’t we? But what if a mistake was only defined by the end result? Oh boy, I could go on until my head explodes!
So as I ponder these deep, soul-searching questions, I am compelled to dig even deeper into the main characters in my new thriller. They will have a past and a future that could easily be altered by something they don’t yet understand. And quite frankly, neither do I. Not yet anyway.
This is why I love writing. I get to explore ideas and turn them into realities, for my characters, at least.
Are there choices you’ve made you wish could be changed? Do you wonder where your life would be if you had?
This new novel deals a lot with the decisions we’ve made in our lives and whether or not we’d wished we’d chosen a different path. That got me thinking, not just about this novel, but about the choices I’ve made in my own life. Could I have chosen a different path? They say hind sight is 20/20, but if I had made different choices when I was at a cross-road, to which there have been many, would I still have ended up right here, exactly where I’m at today? Fate, destiny… that sort of thing, you know? If we ultimately end up in the same place, does that mean our paths are predetermined? Mind-boggling, I know!
It’s funny because I have never really thought about it until now. I’m not the type of person to look back. I never have been. Sometimes I think that can be a good thing, but it can also be a hindrance. If I had examined some of my past decisions, would I be better suited to handle certain situations in my life now? We are supposed to learn from our mistakes, aren’t we? But what if a mistake was only defined by the end result? Oh boy, I could go on until my head explodes!
So as I ponder these deep, soul-searching questions, I am compelled to dig even deeper into the main characters in my new thriller. They will have a past and a future that could easily be altered by something they don’t yet understand. And quite frankly, neither do I. Not yet anyway.
This is why I love writing. I get to explore ideas and turn them into realities, for my characters, at least.
Are there choices you’ve made you wish could be changed? Do you wonder where your life would be if you had?
Beyond the Clearing
The cover for
Beyond the Clearing
is finally here!
My latest suspense/thriller is set to be released in late March and I'm excited to bring you a glimpse of what's to come.
Be sure to check out the Goodreads Giveaways starting March 5th where I will be giving away 6 signed print editions!
In the meantime, please add Beyond the Clearing , to your To-Read list!
My latest suspense/thriller is set to be released in late March and I'm excited to bring you a glimpse of what's to come.
Be sure to check out the Goodreads Giveaways starting March 5th where I will be giving away 6 signed print editions!
In the meantime, please add Beyond the Clearing , to your To-Read list!
The Inspiration for Katie Reid (Redwood Violet Series)
This was a guest blog post that I wrote some time ago, but I thought it fitting to post on my own blog this time around. I have begun writing the third book in the series and, after almost a year having passed since book two, I needed to reacquaint myself with Katie’s world; her ideals and her strengths. It also serves as a reminder of why I created Katie Reid.
In an age where many young girls consider the pop stars and reality TV stars of today to be role models, I find it increasingly important to bring to light female characters that are far from being shrinking violets and who know that they are more than just their physical selves. Women who are not only capable of standing on their own two feet, but often take the lead in situations that even some men would fear.
Katie Reid, the heroine my Redwood Violet series, is just such a character. However, when we first meet her, she is still naïve to the ways of the world. But, she is young and idealistic and never had a strong female influence while growing up. At least, that’s what we are led to believe. It’s much later that we find out differently.
It can be difficult to create a female character who is strong, yet vulnerable; who is powerful, yet fearful and one who can maintain the idealism of love and family.
We see some of each of these qualities in Katie. Some characteristics are prevalent early on and others develop as we watch her struggle with a difficult reality from which most people would run.
My inspiration for Katie came from an assortment of influences. Of course, my mother was perhaps my biggest influence. She overcame a painful past and raised her daughters to be confident and independent. I have also grown up with an amazing group of female friends who are just about the strongest women I have ever met. It is primarily with their support that I am here today talking about my novels.
But when we watch Katie evolve; transform as a result of her discovery, we see the woman inside the girl emerge. Her strength grows beyond what even I could have imagined.
I guess you could say that I have a very idealistic view of how women should be. I believe we all should stand tall and confident; never fear what others think of us and always be true to ourselves. I’m not sure that I always behave that way, but when I start to second-guess my actions, I look to my characters for inspiration. They keep me strong and I, in turn, pass that strength along to my own daughter. I try to teach her that she does not need to conform to societal expectations. She can be happy with a partner in an equitable relationship, maintain a career of her choosing and pass along these same traits to her own children one day.
I believe this is how Katie Reid would live her life.
In an age where many young girls consider the pop stars and reality TV stars of today to be role models, I find it increasingly important to bring to light female characters that are far from being shrinking violets and who know that they are more than just their physical selves. Women who are not only capable of standing on their own two feet, but often take the lead in situations that even some men would fear.
Katie Reid, the heroine my Redwood Violet series, is just such a character. However, when we first meet her, she is still naïve to the ways of the world. But, she is young and idealistic and never had a strong female influence while growing up. At least, that’s what we are led to believe. It’s much later that we find out differently.
It can be difficult to create a female character who is strong, yet vulnerable; who is powerful, yet fearful and one who can maintain the idealism of love and family.
We see some of each of these qualities in Katie. Some characteristics are prevalent early on and others develop as we watch her struggle with a difficult reality from which most people would run.
My inspiration for Katie came from an assortment of influences. Of course, my mother was perhaps my biggest influence. She overcame a painful past and raised her daughters to be confident and independent. I have also grown up with an amazing group of female friends who are just about the strongest women I have ever met. It is primarily with their support that I am here today talking about my novels.
But when we watch Katie evolve; transform as a result of her discovery, we see the woman inside the girl emerge. Her strength grows beyond what even I could have imagined.
I guess you could say that I have a very idealistic view of how women should be. I believe we all should stand tall and confident; never fear what others think of us and always be true to ourselves. I’m not sure that I always behave that way, but when I start to second-guess my actions, I look to my characters for inspiration. They keep me strong and I, in turn, pass that strength along to my own daughter. I try to teach her that she does not need to conform to societal expectations. She can be happy with a partner in an equitable relationship, maintain a career of her choosing and pass along these same traits to her own children one day.
I believe this is how Katie Reid would live her life.
