Lisa Dale | What Inspires You? Tricks, Practice or an Idea?
July 31, 2009
Many people ask me where I get my ideas for my books. Sometimes, there’s no
other answer except that inspiration falls into my lap like a star falls from
the sky. For example, on the night that I got “the call” from my agent that my first
book, SIMPLE WISHES,
would be published, I couldn’t fall asleep. I sat on the couch in my little
apartment, and since there was nothing to do, I just turned on the television
and vegged out until the wee hours. As I was watching the Discovery channel, a show came on about meteorite hunters—
folks who collect and then sell meteorites. It was like I got struck by
lightning. I knew then and there that the hero in my next book would be a
hunter of meteorites. I’ve always had a thing for nerd guys. The end result was that in my new book, IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT,
which comes out in late October, the hero is a sexy, science geek type. The
book is about two sisters who own a wildflower farm in Vermont. Lana Biel longs
to leave Vermont so she can travel and see the world. And her sister Karin
wants nothing more than to put down roots and conceive the child she and her
husband just can’t seem to have. When a lighthearted fling with a mountain
biker leaves Lana expecting, she finds herself tumbling headlong into
motherhood while her sister Karin can only look on. For help, Lana turns to Eli Ward (the professional meteorite hunter and her
best friend for the last ten years). But Eli’s keeping secrets that could turn
their friendship on its head. As the Vermont seasons change and the flowers in
the wildflower meadows begin to fade, Lana must make some meaningful decisions
about her family, her friendships, her love life, and her dreams. I think you’ll really love IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (available for pre-order now). Babies,
meteorites, flowers, Vermont, sisters—and, of course, romance. It’s a “meaty”
story, tackling big questions but still offering the happily-ever-after that I
love so much. But since it’s not out yet, I’d love to give away a copy of my
first book, SIMPLE
WISHES, to one reader today. It’s about a young woman who makes a mistake
in New York that makes her flee to her mother’s cottage in the mountains of
Pennsylvania. There, new friends (and a life-changing new love) make her see
her troubled past in a whole new way. To win a copy of SIMPLE
WISHES, tell me about one thing that’s caught your attention lately, one
thing that you found surprising and fascinating. Best wishes, Lisa Dale www.lisadaleblog.com LOVE TO READERS drawings every month
Comments
28 comments posted.
Re: Lisa Dale | What Inspires You? Tricks, Practice or an Idea?
Hi Lisa
Your book sounds so good I love the meteorites and the wild flowers and Vermont I never been there but love it. The thing that got my attention is the coast of California where we live the waves were very high last week we went to see them and even though they were high the guys still surfed the wind was strong too. Great blog today thanks for being here I enjoyed reading and will be getting your new book. Thanks penney (Penney Wilfort 1:17am July 31, 2009)
This sounds like an awesome book! (Joanne Reynolds 6:42am July 31, 2009)
The thing that has caught my attention is how crazy the weather pattern is here in Massachusetts lately. Much of the summer has been spent under a cloud - a cloud spewing rain, lots of rain. Then a couple of days of extreme heat, followed by...more rain. Can't wait for autumn. Margay (Margay Roberge 8:40am July 31, 2009)
The cover of Simple Wishes catches my attention every time I see it.
However, the one thing that recently caught my attention was what authors weren't being ordered by libraries. That led to a bunch of research on my part, and some interesting discussions at the DFW TeaReaders montly dinner this last week. (Sandi Shilhanek 11:32am July 31, 2009)
The mountains of the northeast, old and worn down but still a challenge to all who try to tame them. Your upcoming book sounds great. I'm glad that it has a happy ending. Good luck! (Rosemary Krejsa 11:33am July 31, 2009)
My kids used to hate when I got clothes for the family from thrift shops. Now, it's come full circle and they go on their own thrifting and call it vintage. My sister went to Plato's Closet in Florida for the first time on my recommendation and scored some finds including a $300 jeans for $12 for teen in college. (Alyson Widen 11:39am July 31, 2009)
The thing that has caught my attention lately is that because of the troubled economic times we are in, we are returning to the simpler thingsin life. We are getting back to cooking at home, to staying in our own backyard for vacations. I think that this simplicity makes for a better lifestyle. (Linda Cacaci 11:50am July 31, 2009)
The name of one of the sisters, Karin, caught my attention because of the spelling :>) I hope she is nice :>) (Karin Tillotson 11:58am July 31, 2009)
What has caught my attention lately is my 2 year old daughter's imagination. I was amazed while watching her play the other day with her creativity. It was so precious. Made me wish I had the camcorder with a tape in it and ready to run. (Cherie Japp 1:17pm July 31, 2009)
the Sunflowers on the cover of the book caught my attention. (Vikki Parman 1:24pm July 31, 2009)
I certainly like "meaty" books and anything to do with geology of any type, including galactic. And I prefer wildflowers to most garden ones.
I guess, like others, I've been amazed by the weather this year, especially as it pertains to Canada: heat of previously unknown proportions in the west and north, and rain and cold in the east and most southern parts, where I and the majority of Canadians live. What's going on? (Sigrun Schulz 2:06pm July 31, 2009)
Simple Wishes sounds delighful. Thanks! Marjorie (Marjorie Carmony 2:13pm July 31, 2009)
I find nature to be inspiring. Flowers, a beautiful lake, birds singing, green grass, quiet solitude always get me going. Simple things like puppies playing,a baby smiling, friends laughing, old couple holding hands melt my heart too. The clean, fresh smell of rain is awesome too. (Donna Petrilla 2:16pm July 31, 2009)
Hi Lisa, Your book sounds really good. I always enjoy stories where friends become lovers, these books are usually more character driven and interesting. Recently I've been fascinated by how my daughter has grown into a beautiful young woman. She is twenty now and has a wonderful job that she can make a career of, it seems like yesterday she was starting kindergarten. (Dena Walton 3:18pm July 31, 2009)
My attention lately has been caught by trying to live a healthier life, cooking and baking more. (Maureen Emmons 3:52pm July 31, 2009)
I work at a research university -- so am always hearing about very cool research. (Shannon Scott 4:18pm July 31, 2009)
Just returned from Sea World in San Diego, CA where we observed lots of families, with hands on daddies.They were pushing strollers, wiping sticky faces,playfully pointing out wonderful things to both kiddies & wives while actually looking like they were enjoying the experience! Hooray for them & the joy we saw on all those beautiful faces!! (Jean Merriott 5:22pm July 31, 2009)
Love the beautiful over of Simple Wishes.The smile on a young childs face inspires me (Teresa Ward 6:16pm July 31, 2009)
What has caught my attention? This summer has flown by so fast and we are now getting ready for the back to school time; the weather has not been very good and I keep wondering how people on vacations must be feeling cheated this year, I know I do! (Diane Sadler 7:09pm July 31, 2009)
What has caught my attention lately is my grandson he's 2 1/2 and while always a character he's just non-stop now. (Sherry Conrad 8:40pm July 31, 2009)
What's caught my attention is how we really take life for granted. I know, sounds cliche, but we do. We don't stop to see how pretty what we have around is really is. I was walking home from the store the other day and realized how beautiful my neighbors yard is. The person's yard right next to my own. I only drive by it several times a day and never take the time to just pay attention sometimes. We need to slow down and breathe. Take the time to notice the life that is going on around us before we loose it totally. (Tami Winbush 9:09pm July 31, 2009)
We were visiting the local wildlife refuge and found a flock (is that what you call them?) of pelicans. They were absolutely wonderful and I thought about them several times over the next few days. Later, we decided to take a trip to the coast and as we followed the river, there were more and more pelicans along the way. By the time we got where we were going, I just couldn't get my mind off those wonderful birds. We stopped at an out-of-the-way antique shop and there was a precious sculpture of two pelican sitting on logs. It was a surprisingly low price and I bought it. Why? This inspired me to create a beach scene with the pelicans as the focus. Now, I'm on the lookout for the perfect base that I can fill with sand to set them in. I will include some shells and other objects and use it as a conversation piece in my living room. (LuAnn Morgan 9:47pm July 31, 2009)
What captures the essence of a good book to me, comes from an idea. The mind focuses on things and the idea is put into words. How unique. (Cheryl English 10:27pm July 31, 2009)
I think people are cooking and baking more now and discovering the benefits aren't just in the pocket book. The food is healthier and the family unit is stronger because they're eating together also. (Sue Ahn 11:22pm July 31, 2009)
Our son's puppy was too smart for her own good. She is a 7 month old pit bull and as sweet as can be. Unfortunately, she can open our storm doors. About 3 weeks ago, she got out while I was getting ready for work and was hit by a car. A woman came up and said she had called our vet and they were sending someone out to pick her up. It was animal control that came for her. It was obvious that her back was seriously injured and I asked him if he had a board or blanket so we could move her carefully. He said the damage was done and picked her up by the scruff of the neck and threw her into the back of the truck saying it was going to hurt. He got to the vet before I did and never told them she had an injured back. (sorry, I'm still very angry at how callous he was.) She was paralyzed and I was going to have her put down. My husband called our son at work and we decided it was his decision. He took her home and spent a rough few days nursing her. It just broke my heart. However, she has just amazed us all. She asked to go out early on, so we knew those nerves still worked. She started wagging her tail and pulling herself around. Our son made a wheelchair thing for her, but hopefully she won't need it. She is now standing and in the last day or so, you can see her muscles twitching in her right rear leg. She may not regain full use of her legs, but she is making amazing progress. Today she even managed to make it up a few stairs. It hasn't slowed her down much. She is as stubborn as our son. It has been an experience watching her progress. I don't think the vet is going to believe it. With a broken leg and a crushed vertebra it didn't look good. I am so glad the decision was my son's and that things are working out so well. (Patricia Barraclough 1:00am August 1, 2009)
Thank you all so very much for sharing your wonderful ideas with me! Usually I like to pop in an "chat" with folks, but a computer glitch yesterday kept that from happening. Luckily it's fixed now! (Oh...the joy of computing!)
As for the winner of Simple Wishes, I like to leave fate to decide who wins a copy of the book so I've asked my wonderful mother who is sitting here looking at wedding dresses with me the number of the comment that should win.
And the winner is, Dena Walton!
Dena, please send me an email with your address to lisa @ lisadalebooks.com.
If you'd like another chance to win more stuff, I do hope you'll stop by my blog. I'm giving away a fun tote bag this week to anyone who leaves a book recommendation for me. And I also give away one big "Love To Readers" prize every month! The URL is www.LisaDaleBlog.com.
Again, it was so wonderful reading all your comments. Have wonderful weekends! (Lisa Dale 7:58am August 1, 2009)
The heat here in California has really caught my attention. Was it this hot last year? Your book sounds really good...that, also, caught my attention. (Patsy Hagen 6:04pm August 2, 2009)
thanks Lisa, I look forward to reading your book (Dena Walton 6:05pm August 13, 2009)
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