MORE Writing Tips from a Teacher turned Author
try using these to inject life into your writing!

1. a place - a visit to Ostia Antica inspired the setting for 'The Thieves of Ostia'

2. a face - the 2000 year old portrait of a boy from Herculaneum inspired the character of Lupus

3. an artefact - a wax tablet inspired the idea of retrieving an important message which has melted ('Assassins')

4. a smell - the smell of lemon blossom in Sorrento inspired the idea that a smell can be an 'inciting incident' ('Assassins')

5. a song - 'Slave Song' by jazz guitarist Larry Carlton has inspired ongoing scenes in Nubia's life (from 'Pirates' on...)

6. a myth - Greek myths provide an almost limitless pool of ideas (all my books)

7. an historical event - the eruption of Vesuvius inspired the idea behind 'The Secrets of Vesuvius'

8. an incident - driving along a cliff edge in Capri singing 'Volare!' inspired a scene in 'The Pirates of Pompeii'

9. an anecdote - stories of feral dogs 'forcing' students to 'play fetch' at the University of California inspired a scene in 'Thieves'

10. primary sources - a letter by Pliny praising his seaside villa inspired the setting for 'The Dolphins of Laurentum'

11. a title - 'The Pirates of Pompeii' inspired scenes in 'The Pirates of Pompeii'

12. formulas - I use the 'seven plot beats' in every book I write! (previous funsheet)

...and don't forget what Picasso said: 'Good artists copy. Great artists steal.'

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