During last week’s Nestbuilder Hour, our authors mentioned Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel Dune. The inspiration for his arid, sand-covered planet came from 1950s Oregon, where the US Soil Conservation Service was terraforming the landscape to control real-world dunes. According to the BBC, he wanted to write a non-fiction article about the project, but the editors rejected the proposal. Years later, he used the concept for his novel. Now, it is a bestselling series with multiple movie adaptations.
The Dune discussion reminded us of Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park and the Great Sandhill Trails. It also raised a question: what things inspire us?
Nicola MacCameron: Inspired by a dream
Nicola MacCameron had a dream about a smiling man on horseback. He rode through a field. Something about the scene intrigued her.
That scene made her ask questions. Who was this man? Why was he smiling? As she answered those questions, more arose.
This scene is in the middle of Leoshine: Princess Oracle. In our interview, Nicola discusses the dream and some other inspirations in this video.
Travis Williams: Inspired by a friend’s true story
Travis met a guy who told him the funniest story he’d ever heard. So funny that he actually fell on the ground laughing, then he went home and immediately wrote it down.
The story sat for a couple of year, and eventually inspired the novel. Uly Quits his Job.
Mereline Griffith: Inspired by home
Mereline Griffith’s memoir, Valley Girl, is about her childhood in northern British Columbia. Growing up, she listened to her grandmother’s pioneer stories. She portrays both of those stories in her memoir.
She wants to take readers back to a simpler time.
Challenge: Tell your readers what inspired your book.
Readers love hearing what inspires their favourite authors. Write a small post talking about one of your inspirations. Put it on Facebook, Instagram, a blog, or tell it to a friend. Then come back and tell us about it, with your link (if possible). We’ll post the collection next week.
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