I recently joined a fabulous group of women for a global writing challenge—Gail from Is This Mutton (UK) Deb from Deb’sWorld (Australia), Mary Katherine from MK’s Adventures in Style (USA), Penny from Frugal Fashion Shopper (UK), Australian blogger Sue Loncaric from Women Living Well After 50, Leslie Clingan from Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After and Marsha from Marsha In The Middle. On the third Thursday of every month we’ll respond to the prompt “Tell Us About XXX” which could cover any subject matter. It could be a blog post with opinions or memories; a poem, photos, anything at all. Last month, the challenge was Travel and was prompted by Sue from Women Living Well After 50. This month, I chose the prompt of Imagination…
Imagination is a gift that’s been with me since I was a kid. I’m a 47-year-old woman who’s always had a thing for books. And let me tell you, I’ve got quite the imagination – a little mad, some might say. From getting lost in stories as a child to penning my own tales, my journey through imagination has been anything but ordinary.
From Reading to Writing
Back in my early twenties, I read an interview with Jenny Colgan, a favorite chick lit author of mine. She spilled the beans on how she landed a book deal. It got me thinking, if she can do it, maybe I can too. So, I wrote a book, a fun one that fit right into that chick lit genre. It didn’t set the world on fire, but it was a blast to write. A few literary agents thought it was good, but they said it felt too much like Bridget Jones – which was annoying because I hadn’t even read the book then. So, the book ended up in a drawer, and life went on.
Adventures in Publishing
I ended up working in publishing – writing, assisting editors, and finally becoming a magazine editor. But as life does, it threw me a curveball and I got let go from that gig. That’s when my imagination kicked in again. I figured, why not give fiction writing another shot? So, I did. I’ve self-published 13 novels since then, and I’m proud of each one. My imagination has been my compass, especially in my Young Adult Urban Fantasy series called The Raven Witch Saga. Set around the mountains of British Columbia in Canada, it’s full of adventures and odd creatures.
Weird and Wonderful Worlds
Then there’s The Praxos Academy series, a story about two sisters discovering they’re not your everyday humans and ending up in a special school for supernaturals. That was a hoot to write – I got to invent even more quirky characters. And let’s not forget The Winterbourne Witches, a dive into witches, magic, and all that good stuff. My favourite character in that series is Willow, a house with its own peculiar personality. Oh, and I created the book covers too!
When Imagination Gets Real
Now, let me tell you, having a wild imagination isn’t always a walk in the park. Sometimes, I’ll be out and about, and my mind will conjure up some creepy scenario from a speck of dust in the wind. Dark water? Forget about it – I’m seeing sharks and piranhas. Kids holding balloons that bob about in the air become dragons swooping down from the sky! And a black dustbin bag on the side of the road becomes an old witch. Yeah, having a vivid imagination has its moments of making me jump at shadows.
Exploring New Avenues
In today’s tech-driven world, imagination finds new ways to express itself. I’ve stumbled upon a creative sidekick in tools like Leonardo AI. It’s like having a pal who gets my imaginative musings and helps me turn them into real images. Creating visuals that match the dreamlike scenes in my head has become a breeze. Those eerie shadows, peculiar creatures – they all come to life effortlessly, thanks to Leonardo AI. It’s as if I’ve found a creative ally in technology, someone who aids me in translating my ideas into captivating images. With this modern companion, I’m right at home, crafting visuals that bridge the gap between my fantasies and reality. All the above images were created by AI. Cool, huh?
Embracing the Quirks
But you know what? I love having an overactive imagination. Even when it sends a shiver down my spine, I wouldn’t trade my imagination for anything. It’s the engine behind my stories, the reason my characters take on a life of their own, and my ticket to crafting tales that are a bit different. It’s down-to-earth, simple, and sometimes a bit wild, just like me.
So, here’s to imagination – that crazy, wonderful, sometimes hair-raising thing that’s been my sidekick since day one. It’s shaped my journey from being a book-loving kid to a woman who’s not afraid to let her imagination run wild on the page. Whether it’s witches, shapeshifters, or just the everyday shadows that make me jump, my imagination keeps life interesting, one story at a time.
Don’t forget to go visit all the other fab bloggers posting about Imagination (links below). And next month, Leslie has chosen the wonderful prompt of: Legacy.
Debbie has a vivid imagination which can work for and against her at times. In this post she looks at the role of imagination in everyday life and how we can nurture our imagination to enhance our lives https://wp.me/p2juKh-e8F
Gail from Is This Mutton wonders if we are less imaginative as we get older https://www.isthismutton.com.
Leslie is having to really use her imagination to talk about August’s Tell Us About theme…Imagination! https://onceuponatimehappilyeverafter.com/tell-us-about-08-2023-imagination
Last month, when I chose “Imagination” as our August theme, Marsha thought she’d go in one direction, and then she took a completely different road! Come along as she searches for her imagination! http://marshainthemiddle.com/
This month’s topic of Imagination has Mary Katherine thinking of two summer creatures that inspired her imagination from childhood to now! Check out her post to see what they are… https://mksadventure.com/
Penny wondered if she had any imagination but yes, she could ….. imagine….https://frugalfashionshopper.co.uk
Have you ever wondered what makes some people more successful, happier, and fulfilled than others? What is the secret ingredient that allows them to achieve their goals, overcome their challenges, and live their dreams? Sue, from Women Living Well After 50 finds answers to these questions and discovers that Imagination is a key to living well after 50. Women Over 50 Living Well – Women Living Well After 50
FOLLOW SUZY TURNER...
