Music and writing definitely go hand in hand for me, whether it’s for inspiration or mood creation. For instance, Stella, as I mentioned, was inspired by the images the songs created in my mind, whereas some pieces need a mood behind it to create the feeling and emotions from which the words can be generated.

Here’s a couple of examples: I listen to Mogwai or Pink Floyd a lot when writing crime fiction because it creates a feeling of edginess and sub-culture; I listen to reggae when writing poetry to lift my spirits and open up my mind; and I listen to classical when I’m editing because it relaxes me.

Thanks again to Lori for having me! 🙂

First off– congratulations, Colin, for the upcoming release of Stella.

My question to you is:

I have a piece, that hasn’t seen the light of day in some time, which was solely inspired by Peter Gabriel’s, In Your Eyes. Aside from Yello’s inspiring album, do you find that music and writing go hand in hand?

And, great interview Lori!!!!

Blessings, Laura

Thanks for stopping by today 🙂

Amie – if you do buy a copy, I hope you enjoy it 🙂

Lori – Another cracking question! How do I begin a story? Mainly it will come from an initial idea, a kernel from something I’ve seen or heard that intrigues me, that I then let my imagination run riot on.

My previous book, Hunting Jack, was conceived after I saw a homeless boy begging on the streets of Edinburgh during the Festival, and it struck me how he blended in and seemed to be no different to the street acts, other than the fact he was doing it to survive day to day.

Stella was born after a feeling and image I got in my mind after listening to an album. Small triggers with big ideas! 🙂

The actual writing of a story, thereafter, involves an initial ‘getting to know’ and development of the characters, but I can only take that so far. I don’t really get to know them until the story begins to unfold, and I don't really appreciate the full range of charactrers until I begin either. Someone new always comes in along the journey to stir things up!

With Stella, I had a fair idea of the two main characters, but even then they have surprised me with their attitudes and things they have done. Stella wasn’t supposed to leave Randolph standing in a hotel in San Francisco; she just did it and it hacked me off because it meant I had to change the plot a bit. Stella is a very strong character, and like all strong women, I’ve found there’s no point in arguing with her!

Colin, I can see where tight writing from poetry training can benefit the book writer. My questions – does your writing process involve outlines or character development charts? How do you begin a story?

Thanks for coming over Devon; I can always rely on you to hit me with a tough question, lol!

I think poetry and fiction have many things in common: Both require the writer to see things differently; examine the world through a third eye, to feel and become a part of an extension of whatever it is being written about. Even if that happens to be fantasy or sc-fi or whatever, the author still has to attach to the emotions – everything seems to come down to emotions at the end of day – for me anyway.

Following on from that, I think fiction writers and poets must attempt to explain these thoughts and ideas in a coherent sense that’s visually apparent to the reader. The prose must read to a natural flow and rhythm, and it must be tight and concise – no wasted words, and certainly, no more than is required.

So for me, writing poetry has given me practice in viewing the world differently, and to train myself in both standing off a subject enough to appreciate it, while absorbing myself in it enough to become part of it.

Also, poetry has helped teach me the art of trimming sentences and in getting the point across without losing the emotion.

Thanks for a challenging question and possibly next topic of my next book! 🙂