Being Open

When I decided to combine three, finished novellas into one novel, it was something new to me. It meant three couples, with only one of them what might be seen as typical-- even there, the supernatural is involved. As for the themes of the novellas, each was covered loosely in the previous blog. 

Because I am hoping to do more promoting of my Mystic Shadows Series, I got to know these books better, as I edited them for the umpteenth time. Fortunately, for the novellas, their original covers still worked.

Those covers represented three couples, but when the novel came along, what kind of cover would work? Maybe, no couple but background or a monster or two? With its title being Diablo Canyon, I wanted something that represented the challenge these humans were facing. I believe, in many ways, the conflict we still see-- supernatural or physical.

The thing is, although the first novella began with a dream, in actuality, they all were aimed toward the challenge in the last book. It is there, the reason for everything is revealed, with, of course, another romance and how the two earlier ones were doing.

Those, who haven't been reading my blog for very long, might not know that dreams are a big part of my life-- the night-time sort. Some of mine are prosaic or seem that way, pieces of my life, or scenes that I see like going to a movie theater. Mine are usually colorful and the beauty of nature or the sort of art I wish I could have when I wake up. In my experience, dreams don't always make sense. Mine are sometimes where I've been, but not always. They don't have to, as it's the brain playing around, or is it the muse trying to speak to us? In the past, some of my dreams have worked to be inspiration for books. 

The one, that began that first novella, came because I had lost a cat I loved very much. I'd have paid a lot of money to save her life. She was too young to die, but something was catastrophically wrong inside. All I could do was let her go, which happened when the veterinarian came out to the house and gave her a merciful end. I cried so much. I still cry when I think about it, which is why I don't include her picture here. I think we love many animals, but always there is one very special. She was that for me and still is.

 That night I asked for a dream to know if reincarnation was true. I had thought this cat had come to me twice before. Both other times, she'd lived out her whole lifetime. This time I wanted to know-- could I get her again? Was reincarnation true? 

The dream did not turn out to be about my cat, but it was powerful.

A man and woman were on a train. They had been lovers in previous lifetimes, but always star-crossed. This time they were both destined to die early from accidents.

There were two spirit guides looking at what was happening. As the lovers kissed, a gold ring was clearly seen over the kiss. The guides saw it and observed how rare true soul mate love was.

 'They will just ruin things again if we don't let them fix it this time,' they said. 

At the same time, there was another couple, where the woman was plotting to kill the man to get his fortune. What can fates do to fix these two star-crossed lovers? The dream had the answer.

When I woke that morning, I realized I had to write this story. For it to work, as a book, it'd take some adjusting, like no train, but the ideas for what would work were already percolating. I knew it'd be set in the ranching country of Montana. Having raised cattle for a big part of my life, with many trips to Montana, the setting was a natural. The cowboy life has long fascinated me, even though our piece of it is small.

 

After the first came together, it led to a second and then a third novella, each with their own romance and mysticism. I wrote about the general premises of all three in the previous blog. What I didn't expect is to put the three together, with the spice, for which there is no room for in my novellas. That became the novel-- Diablo Canyon.

~~~

 Once again, this blog has ended up too long. The importance of Diablo Canyon, its cover, and theme, that'll be next blog. Remember, what I am trying to do with my blogs on writing is to encourage others to find their own creativity. Sure sales are nice but mainly to know others found something of value in choosing the books.

To me, ironically, Diablo Canyon became my most important book with its combinations of energy and the unexpected way it worked out. Why did that happen? I believe it came about because I was open to it. That is also to me what creativity is all about-- being open in life and our dreams.