Only You Can Write That Story...

+ the inspiration behind THE MCNIFFICENTS (14 days until publication!)

Jun 06, 2023

I am fascinated by what inspires an author to write a story. Anything and everything can be the start of your story. Is that wonderful? The seeds are EVERYWHERE!

One of my favorite parts of a book is the acknowledgements at the end because the author will often reference, thank, and acknowledge the inspiration behind a story. Some readers like to read the acknowledgements before they even start the book. I like to save it; it feels like such a juicy, anticipated treat!

A few examples of writers and real life:

Meg Medina’s picture book, Mango, Abuela and Me was inspired by her childhood and her far-away Spanish-speaking grandmother. There’s even a Spanish-talking parrot (love).

Mae Respicio’s experience as a Filipino-American plays into all of her middle grade novels in a really natural way.

John Green’s experience with a cancer-stricken teen when he was a student chaplain would inspire him to write the mega-hit THE FAULT IN OUR STARS.

This week,

Suleika Jaouad

wrote about paying attention to the smallest of details. Like the ants gathering on a leaf. Have you ever watched busy-building ants? The other day I stopped and stood very still to watch a bubble-bee buzz around, hover, and land on my pink rhododendron plant. It was absolutely mesmerizing. There’s a story there.

Suleika calls this “the Annie Dillard effect,” named after the Pulitzer prize-winning book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, where “anything and everything” caught her attention as she wrote.

The devil might be in the details - but so is great literature.

Suleika cites Annie Proulx and Cowboy Bar:

As the tale goes, she (Proulx) was there one night and caught a glance between a cowboy playing pool and another sitting alone at the bar—a glance that seemed to mean something more. She was curious, she wondered what that something more was, and she went back to her studio and wrote into that possibility.

That glance would become “Brokeback Mountain.”

Rebecca Makkai

took her boarding school experiences and turned them into the page-turning literary thriller I Have Some Questions For You. (I KNOW these schools!)

Everything, they say, is copy.

Using Real Life to Write Fabulous Fiction” part I and II.

Jillian Hess

writes a terrific

Substack

newsletter that looks at writer’s diaries. What a treasure trove! Sylvia Plath, Roald Dahl, and C.S. Lewis…I am obsessed.

The point is: YOUR stories are all around you. And only YOU can write THAT story.

Here is some McNifficent inspiration:

There once was a dog named Lord Tennyson…

He was grabbed and tugged and tolerated the children

He was dressed up for all of the holidays, much to his chagrin…

He accompanied the children on many naughty adventures…like pulling the bell at the library…

My friends, the tiniest detail could be the seed for a much bigger and important creative work.

Observing life has become such a joy as I write it down and share it with others.

And if you don’t write it, who will? Elizabeth Gilbert has this interesting theory in “Big Magic.” She didn’t have the energy to write a particular story and so the idea left her and floated to Ann Patchett who did write it…WILD and woo-woo and I kindof love it…

In conclusion:

Last week I spoke to a group of fifth graders in their library and a group of eighth-graders as part of their “career day.” We talked about this “real life to fiction” idea. You should have seen their eyes (and their teacher’s eyes!) light up at all the possibilities. I tell you what, our kids and teachers are going through it. THEY HAVE STORIES.

And so do you.

If you want to write, you have everything you need. It’s right in front of you. I hope you know that. Now the only thing left to do is…START.

Amy ❣️

Event News:

The McNifficents releases in 14 days. AHHHHH. Exciting times.

COME SEE ME:

Tuesday, June 20, MCNIFFICENT BOOK LAUNCH PARTY. Morgan Hill Bookstore, New London NH, 6pm. Preorder NOW and come for snacks, swag, and a special furry friend to take pictures with!

Tuesday, June 27, GIBSON’S BOOKSTORE Join me and picture book author, Kari Allen for a book signing meet and greet. Concord NH, 4:30-6pm.

Saturday, July 1, 2023, 2pm Wellesley Bookstore, Meet & Greet Book Signing, Wellesley MA.

Please spread the news and PLEASE BUY A COPY!

Thank you, friends. SO MUCH.