A New Story Is Born In Edinburgh

It’s 2019, I’ve just finished the final book in the Soothsayer series—Elysium, and it’s time to start my next project. Which just so happened to be perfect timing because I was headed to Scotland for a week long writing retreat.

Starting my new project, Realm of Flames & Steel (ROSAS) in Edinburgh was seriously the best idea I've ever had! Not only was I surrounded by other authors who were supportive and encouraging, but the city itself was inspiring. 

I will forever be grateful to Edinburgh for giving me the opportunity to let Kara and Si become solid, and real for me in such a magical place. They came right off the page and grabbed me, which has never happened before this early in the game and I totally attribute it to being in Scotland!

When I reread some of the scenes I wrote while I was there, I can clearly see the influence on the page. The way things smell, the sticky heat, (yes, Scotland was very hot) the colors of the grass, and the way people interact with one another. 

And I love that! I love when the real world helps me build better more 3D scenes in my books. And that's why travel is so important to me. Being in another place, the sights, sounds, smells, the taste of the food, the people you meet, it all fills the creative well. 

When I finished Elysium, I was empty. Not only was it a big book to finish, but it was the end of my first series and I had to leave everything on the page one last time before I said goodbye to those characters.

So when I got the chance to be skip off to Scotland to write and breathe in the creativity, I grabbed it! I can’t wait to go back and enjoy the city again. Who knows what story will be born out of my next trip!

For anyone interested, I vlogged my trip, and experience writing with a group of authors in one of my favorite cities! You can check it out here: Edinburgh Vlog

Leaving this view and returning home was almost impossible!!

Until next time, embrace your magic!