Sue Perkins grew up in Devon, England. After her marriage Sue and her husband spent some years travelling the world before starting a family.
In 1986 the family emigrated to New Zealand and became New Zealand citizens.
Sue and her husband live on a three acre property at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. She works as a graphic artist for a local trade paper. Her interests include writing, reading, genealogy, zumba and line dancing.
Inspiration for Writing - Sue Perkins
Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog. My 20th Century Historical novel Blitz is dear to my heart because it was inspired by my parents' love story. This made me look at the things that inspired me to write my other novels.
Inspiration for some authors comes from the smallest things while others think long and hard before a plot comes to mind. With me it’s the former. Anything sets off my imagination. An unusual boat’s name, a cliff silhouetted against the sunset, any unusual scene or even an overheard comment. I’m lucky, the scenes in my mind stick like glue until I write them down. Then they seem to sit quietly except for when I turn visit to find the best way to proceed. This usually happens when I’m trying to get to sleep.
Anything and everything can set me off. My novel Three Hearts began with my young daughter staring at a punk rocker on the London underground. She couldn’t take her eyes of the purple spiked hair the young lady was sporting.
My fantasy trilogy began with a song about Castles in the Air. I intended the first one to be a stand alone book, but somehow it developed into a trilogy. Some readers have requested either a prequel or sequel to the trilogy. Still thinking about this, although I do have ideas of how both stories would start.
Inspiration for me means the initial jog to the mind and the first scene comes full blown to me. If I am in the middle of another manuscript I will often write the first page, or first few pages, then make a few notes of the ideas I’ve had regarding the next few chapters. This file is then left to sit in the “To Be Written” folder until the idea has percolated enough for me to actually begin writing. Usually by the time I’ve finished one manuscript and sent it off, I’ve already got the next one spread out in my mind. Not plotted as such because I’m a pantser not a plotter, but definitely ready to go.
I’m not usually hit by writer’s block but at a writing seminar I learned some exercises to overcome this. Both have been extremely helpful for honing my inspirations. The first was writing with the left hand (I’m right handed so vice versa if you’re left handed). This really made me think of the words going onto the paper. The second method involved staring at a painting, print or photo for a good five minutes. The focus of your gaze is then removed and you begin to write. Don’t try to explain or describe what you’ve seen, just start writing. This one works every time.
I think the most important thing when it comes to inspiration is not to be intimidated by what enters your mind. Your thoughts may be strange or even weird, but maybe that’s your muse telling you to climb outside of the box and let yourself go. I never ignore ideas. I may not write the story then, but sometime in the future the little seed of inspiration will provoke a scene or even a full manuscript.
Thank you once again for inviting me to your blog.
Blitz - Desert Breeze Publishing
Blogspot: http://sueperkinsauthor.blogspot.com
Velma’s large family refuse to accept she is now a young woman. She falls in love with Jack and her family discuss whether he is a suitable husband for their youngest sister. She is determined to show her siblings she is now an adult and can make her own decisions.
World War II is declared. The engaged couple are forced to cancel their white wedding only days before the service. This puts a strain on the relationship between Jack and Velma. She must choose whether to let Jack go to war as a single man, or to marry in a registry office without the support of family and friends. Can Velma survive the worry of Jack being at the front? Will it be easier to cope if they are married?
Excerpt
The waitress approached, order book and pen in her hand as she waited for them to decide.
"Would you like egg and chips?" Jack asked. "That should keep us going until we go to the cinema."
"Sounds lovely." Velma made a mental note to eat slowly and make sure the egg yolk didn't drip down her chin.
The service proved quick and efficient, within five minutes two plates piled high with chips and two eggs apiece were placed in front of them. Velma's eyes widened in horror. She'd been brought up to 'waste not, want not. She'd never be able to get through all this. Valiantly, she picked up her knife and fork and prepared to attack the food.
"You can leave whatever you don't have room for."Velma glanced at Jack. He smiled. He must have been watching the emotions flit across her face. He'd guessed the thoughts passing through her mind.
"It's just so -- so much." Velma smiled at him. "Do you want any of these chips?"
"I don't think so," he replied. "I've got my own pile to deal with." Silence reigned for several minutes while they ate their meal. Jack had also ordered a pot of tea and this arrived as they decided they were full. Velma had eaten both eggs and about half the chips. Jack had managed two thirds of his plateful. The waitress shook her head as she removed their plates. As the woman walked away Velma saw Jack grinning from ear to ear. She put her hand over her mouth to smother a laugh.
"I think we're in disgrace but you have to admit we did our best." "Shall I pour?" Velma didn't wait for a reply. She picked up the milk and poured it into their cups then checked the tea had drawn properly. As she sipped her eyes watched Jack over the rim of her cup. At first his eyes were full of amusement then slowly they became sombre. He placed his cup on the saucer and she did the same. His hand reached across and enfolded hers, large fingers folding over her knuckles. She'd always had small hands. The pure white against his tanned skin made them look even tinier and more delicate.
"You do know how I feel about you don't you, Velma?"
"I -- I'm not sure. I hope you feel the same way as I feel about you." She managed to say.
"I think I've fallen in love with you. No darn it, I know I've fallen in love with you. Please don't be frightened," he quickly added as she tried to withdraw her hand. "I'm not going to rush you, Velma. We'll take it at your pace. I want to see you as much as possible before I have to go back to Aldershot."
A tremor of fright rocketed through at his words. Too much, too soon. They'd only met properly yesterday. The words imprinted on her mind and she wondered what frightened her. If she looked deep inside herself she had the same spark of love for him.
"I'm just a bit scared we might be going too fast, Jack. I think I've fallen in love with you too. How do I know it's the real thing? I've got nothing to compare it to. I've never been in love before."
"Good." He smiled at her shocked expression. "That means your feelings for me are one of a kind. I hate to think you've had these feelings for any other man."
"Have you ever -- I mean..."
"Loved another woman? No, I haven't. I knew as soon as I met you yesterday you were the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I think it's called love at first sight. I've never believed in it before. I do now." Jack's thumb caressed the palm of her hand and a shiver of excitement rippled out from his touch.
"Maybe we should leave it at that. It's time we were going. The film starts soon."
Jack paid the bill and held the door open for her as they left. Arms linked they walked slowly down the road to the cinema.
He's not only really handsome, he's also a perfect gentleman. Velma grinned as Jack paid for their tickets then led her over to the confectionery counter. For a moment her disappointment rose when Jack didn't head for the back row of the cinema. She'd assumed they would miss most of the film as they kissed and cuddled in the darkness. This had happened on previous visits with the youths she'd known since childhood. Instead, Jack led the way half-way down the aisle where he stood to one side to let her enter the row before him. Once they were seated he handed her the bag of chocolates he'd purchased in the foyer and she smiled her thanks.
Giveaway:
Would you like to win a copy of this book? Sue was kind enough to also offer you a chance to win an E-copy and all you have to do is leave a comment and you will gain an entry. Want even more chances to win? Hop around to all of her blog stops and Sue will be picking one lucky commenter from all her stops.
5/2/2011 Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
5/3/2011 Grace Elliot--gripping historical romance
5/4/2011 BK Walker Books Etc.
5/5/2011 Believing is Seeing
5/6/2011 A Chick Who Reads
Thanks for stopping in and good luck. Wishing you much success in the future Sue :).
Until next time,
4 comments:
Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog. I really enjoyed writing this book and it's lovely to see the article laid out so well.
That was an inspiring post, Sue - love your tips for writer's block.
Great post, sue. I always say life inspires me with my writing. Good luck with your book.
Hi-I am returning your kind book blog hop visit and am very glad we are now mutual followers
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