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Inspiration for Creating Characters

People, art and other things that have inspired the characters in The Jar of Dreams. To me, it is as if the DNA of each character is waiting for you as a writer, you just have to train yourself to be present as you walk through life. Then the magic of inspiration reveals itself to you with each step that you take. I hope you enjoy this board as much as I have in remembering all the moments that came together to make this novel.
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9 Pins
·6mo
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The Jar of Dreams
a young boy sitting in the middle of a huge tree with its roots spread out
Magical Trees
Australian Trees
Penguin Publishing
Magical Tree
The Jar
Creating Characters
Fantasy Novels
Inspiration Wall
Ancient Wisdom
Magical Trees
The magical tress of Naj-Dzek play a small, but important part in The Jar of Dreams, but they grow in significance in book two. They are not like Tolkein’s Ents, but they are holders of ancient wisdom that can be accessed when Tarun learns to commect deeply with them. #amreading #thejarofdreams #tree #magical #trees #natureinspired #figtree #ficus #australiantree #sydney #sydneypark #books #booklover #character
a flock of birds sitting on top of a tree branch
Great Barrier Reef
Nature
Book Lovers
Character Development
Exotic Bird
The Scene
Book Club
Black Noddy - Inspiration for Mani Birds
100,000 Black Noddy birds helped provide the inspiration for a scene where hundreds of Mani birds swoop on Tarun. The noise of the Noddy’s screeches and their wings flapping was so intense and perfect inspiration for the scene in The Jar of Dreams. I love how nature provides inspiration, even when you are not looking for it. #birds #blacknoddy #character #thejarofdreams #books #amreading #bookstoread
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This may contain: a snake is on the side of a dirt road
Python
Python Snake
The Shape
Writing Inspiration
Character Inspiration
Diamond Back Python
Just saw this beautiful diamond back python. She was so relaxed, we just walked with her for a while. The markings on their back and the shape of the her head inspired one of Malakhiim’s serpents in The Jar of Dreams. #character #python #snake #inspiration #natureinspired #amreading #thejarofdreama
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This may contain: a black and white striped hose is attached to the side of a boat's hull
Vanuatu
Fiction Writing
Sea Snake
Novel Writing
Book Inspiration
Paddle Boarding
Snakes Everywhere
It seems that whenever I am in a period when i am writing about Malakhiim, beautiful little serpents pop up everywhere. #characterinspiration #snake #seasnake #vanuatu #bookinspiration #fantasyworld #dungeonsanddragons #wildlife #paddleboarding #nature
a painting of a leopard with yellow eyes
Sticker Street Art
Oaxaca
Character Street Art
Inspiration For Writing
My Imagination
Fantasy Novel
Street Art Oaxaca
This jaguar in Oaxaca had me transfixed and got the magical carpet of my imagination whisping me off to dense jungles. I love how inspiration for writing is everywhere. #characterinspiration #artoftheday #streetart #streetarteverywhere #oaxaca #inspiringart #amreading #fantasyworld #fantasynovel #thejarofdreams
a fake human skull on a stick with flowers growing out of it's mouth
Papua New Guinea
Book Nerd
New Guinea
The Culture
Daily Reminder
Character Inspiration for the Hekati
I was lucky to be able to spend some time with a remote community near Alotau in Papua New Guinea and the people, the raw nature and the traditions were like nothing that I had experienced anywhere else on the planet. As part of their culture they explained that they keep a loving connection with those who have died. One way that they do this is to have one of their ancestors welcome you to their village (which is only accessible by sea). In the culture that I grew up in, we hide our dead and seem to shy away from talking about dying. Here in this simple village, the acceptance of death and the daily reminder of it seemed to create a greater celebration of life and a gratitude for each day we have. This simple wisdom is something that I have tried to weave into The Jar of Dreams.
a group of small green plants with spikes on them
Beautiful Cactus
Dark Spirit
Book Writer
Beautiful Cactus
These cacti near the Hierve del Agua waterfalls reminded me of the bone protrusions on the faces of the Hekati. They were so intricate that they sparked my imagination and a few more details to this hideous tribe of dark spirit warriors. I love how nature always offerings inspiration when we are present. #bookwriter #characterinspiration #bookclub #booknerd #writerscommunity #writerslife #oaxaca
a painting of a colorful bird with an eye on it's head and body
Stencil Street Art
Mexico Destinations
Kehlani
Street Art Oaxaca
Walking the streets of Oaxaca always inspire me. This piece if street art transported me to other realms, similar to the ones (no spoliers!) the Kehlani inhabit in The Jar of Dreams.