I often get asked where my ideas come from. For me a story idea doesn’t just come from one place instead it draws on many much smaller ideas, which when left to bubble away at the back of my mind come together–often at very odd times. This was a 2am idea, or at least it was 2am when the ideas came together to form the story of THE GOBLIN KING.
It went something like this:
I was feeding a restless baby, it was cold and dark and I was tired. I have an overactive imagination at the best of times so I was wondering why the baby was so restless, and then I began thinking about things that could go bump in the night.
Ghosts, no, we live in a new house. Brownies, I wish then they could do the housework. Goblins…goblins. Grey twisted creatures that love gold and battle…swords…heroes with swords (grin)…how would goblins work as a romance? A curse…oh, I know he’s a cursed Celtic King.
I only remember this because it was one of those very clear moments where the first scene just unravelled as if it had been waiting for me (this has only happened for me twice, usually I spend time actively working up an idea). By the time I went back to bed I had the first scene clear in my mind and that first scene changed only a little to what is in the book.
Here are a few of the things that went into the pot to make THE GOBLIN KING.
- I’d just written some Vampire romances and I wanted to do something different, so I was researching different cultures and different myths looking for something to spark and idea.
- I’ve always loved Roman Britain–from the Celtic point of view. It would have been a period of such upheaval and uncertainty. However I’m not a historical writer. So while I love history and often use it as a starting point I can’t see myself ever writing a historical romance (although I love reading them).
- I love men with swords and was watching King Arthur with Clive Owen and Tristan and Isolde. Give me a tormented warrior hero with a sword and I’m hooked.
- Beauty and the Beast. I grew up with the Disney version and can still sing some of the songs. But who can forget the moment when the Beast falls in love but knows Belle will never love him because of what he is, or when Belle looks beyond the Beast’s fearsome exterior to see his heart? Magic!
- I knew I wanted to write about an ordinary woman who suddenly found herself on the edge of another world. She’s not kick-ass and couldn’t wield a sword to save herself.
- Music. Rogue Traders’ ‘What You’re On’ and ‘Snakeskin’ by Gyroscope. Later, as I was editing, other songs attached themselves but these were the first two.
I didn’t actually write anything down at 2am, but I did in the morning and he even had a name–Roan, THE GOBLIN KING.
What inspires you?
THE GOBLIN KING BY SHONA HUSK – IN STORES OCTOBER 2011
Once Upon a Time…
A man was cursed to the Shadowlands, his heart replaced with a cold lump of gold. In legends, he became known as… The Goblin King.
For a favored few he will grant a wish. Yet, desperately clinging to his waning human soul, his one own desire remains unfulfilled… A Willing Queen.
But who would consent to move from the modern-day world into the realm of nightmares? No matter how intoxicating his touch, no matter how deep his valor, loving him is dangerous. And the one woman who might dare to try could also destroy forever his chance at a … Happily Ever After.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debut author Shona Husk is a civil designer by day and an author by night. She lives in Western Australia and through history, myth and imagination she creates heroes that are armed and dangerous but have a heart of gold-sometimes literally. For more information on Shona and THE GOBLIN KING, and where to download the FREE prequel, THE SUMMONS, please visit: http://www.shonahusk.com/
Click THE SUMMONS to get for FREE!
To comment on Shona Husk’s blog please click here.
No Comments
Comments are closed.