Discover Your Story

As a storyteller and a fan of all things archaeology I'm fascinated when treasures from the past are unearthed. Lately there have been some stunning discoveries in the news, too:

Hidden fortress found beneath Alcatraz

Nine Manuscripts Discovered in Qumran Artifacts

Northern California couple discover cans filled with 19th century gold coins

These news items are particular stupendous: A Civil War fortress we didn't know still existed, nine more manuscript scrolls from the Dead Sea caves that have never been seen, and ten million dollars' worth of 19th-century gold coins hidden in a bunch of buried tin cans. In addition to the wealth of knowledge these discoveries will provide, they also offer some exceptional possibilities as story inspiration.

Take the Alcatraz find, for example. If they excavate, what else might they uncover down there? Could someone have been using it in the more recent past, perhaps? And why would you build a prison on top of a Civil War fortress, for that matter (were they trying to keep something else from escaping?)

Those nine newly-discovered scrolls likewise have great story potential. What if instead of scripture they contain some wonderful -- or terrible -- secrets? What if we were never meant to find them? I've used an ancient scroll as a story-telling device, and I can tell you from experience that playing with ancient media is as fun as it is inspiring.

Obviously ten million in gold coins is a truly life-transformative find for that happy couple. But what if your protagonist was the one to find them, or (if you're writing a historical) bury them? Even back in the 19th century, that was a heck of a lot of money to hide. What if those coins were connected to a particular historic event, the details of which will now be altered by their reappearance?

Every storyteller will answer those questions differently, which is the other cool thing about using discovery news for inspiration -- your imagination will provide the unique spin you need to change it from fact to fiction. So make it a habit to check out your favorite news feed or paper, and search for discoveries -- you might just uncover something pretty wonderful for your next story.

This and That

There is nothing like a fabulous book, except perhaps a fabulous book that ends a streak of bad reading luck. Mine came along last night in the form of A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year by Ellen Evert Hopman.

At the moment I'm beginning some research into homeopath remedies to use with a writing project, and I always like to consult the pagans because they know more about herbs and natural healing than anyone. Ms. Hopman is a master herbalist and a terrific writer, and handles what would otherwise be very dry reading with superb confidence. I also liked the simple respect the author has for the Old Ways; she also included very specific warnings on which herbs should not be used by people with health issues, pregnant ladies and so forth. This one is a must-have reference book for your library if you're writing about the practice of herbalism, earth religion, the pagan calendar, or want to learn more about them.

I'm also finishing out my work schedule for the year by planning my online promo for Nightbred, book two in my Lords of the Darkyn trilogy. If any of you bloggers out there would like to have me stop in at your place for an interview, guest post and/or giveaway from November 15th through December 3rd, please e-mail me at LynnViehl@aol.com. In return I can offer your readers signed books as well as some holiday-themed goodies.