Greatest Writing Inspirations: Travels In The World
As we head into fall, it’s still warm…uh…hot in the desert southwest. Yet not so long from now, I’ll be enjoying my favorite month of the year. October. During this month I always remember the far off places I’ve had the good fortune to see, and the wonderful inspiration I discovered in this glorious places. Today I thought I’d share but a tiny glimpse into these adventures.
My bio mentions that archaeology creeps into my work from the fact that I’ve been an amateur archaeologist since 1985. Most of my excavation and site survey work happened in Colorado. One adventure in archaeology occurred at Hovenweep, Utah. Fierce wind, flying dust, and long hikes dominated that Memorial Day trip. We even woke up to snow one morning. It was my one and only tent camping experience. I know I’m a wuss. Nevertheless, archaeology found its way into my novels PRIMORDIAL (Ellora’s Cave), SHADOWS AND RUINS (Ellora’s Cave), FOREVERMORE (out of print), and UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER (coming up in October ’07 from Samhain Publishing.) I’ve managed to sprinkle it into other books as well.
While I wouldn’t call myself a world traveler, touring Britain and Ireland seemed to launch some of the most creative inspirations I’ve ever experienced. In 1983 I lived a dream come true. I’d wanted to see Ireland all my life, and I was able to travel for nine days from coast-to-coast and absorb memories that will stay with me forever. 
I’ve always adored castles, and Ireland is full of them, of course. One of the most authentic experiences I had was at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. To this day I affectionately refer to this hulking edifice as “Ratty Buns.” Castles like Bunratty assisted my inspiration years later when I wrote my reincarnation novel FOREVERMORE. Also an inspiration for this novel was the haunting Rock of Cashel in Tipperary, Ireland.
Even today Ireland is inspiring me; the round houses I viewed in Crannog gave me ideas for my heroine’s abode in my current work in progress set in Roman Britain.
When I heard in ’95 that the U.S. Army was transferring us to England, I almost screamed with joy. I’d always, always wanted to see Britain…Scotland in particular. Was I lucky lady or what? We lived in England for three years, and my productivity and creativity seemed to be at a triple high point. While visiting Windsor Castle one October day, I was hit with an idea for a time travel that I eventually set in 1318 Scotland. That story, BRIDGE THROUGH THE MIST, is being reissued by Ellora’s Cave in November 2007. Wish I had a cover for you already. Keep your eyes peeled on my website for a cover, blurb and excerpts.
Even the village next to where I lived (see my lovely little house picture) inspired me with its typical village high street, ancient abbey, beautiful churches and cobblestone streets. Walking along the Great Whyte Road in Ramsey on a cold, cold October morning would bring images to mind for the next story. Cool, foggy days seemed to surround me with the quiet, the atmosphere I needed to begin my story on Jack The Ripper (MIDNIGHT ROSE) and other stories with a paranormal slant.
Beyond living in places that gave me inspiration, I find these days that people are also giving me ideas for new stories. My experiences with the military introduced me to many intriguing characters, and my profound respect for our military continues to inspire me to write stories like those featured in my HOT ZONE series. MALE CALL, the first story in this series, is already out with Samhain Publishing. The next installment is UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER (October ’07.) Following that will be PRIVATE MANEUVERS, CLOSE QUARTERS and MISSION: LOVE. Military or former military characters have shown up in many of my other novels, too.
I’ll be forever grateful for my travels and the vast storehouse of ideas they’ve given me. I’m planning to see Williamsburg, Virginia in ’08, yet another place I’ve always wanted to visit.
Please post your wildest or most inspiring travel experiences. Tell me about those wacky adventures! You could win the prize for my Tell Tale today. 
Just in time for serious Halloween reading, I’m giving away the first book in my vampire trilogy, DEEP IS THE NIGHT: DARK FIRE.
Thanks so much for sharing just a tip of the iceberg with me in my many travels. It’s always a pleasure.
Denise A. Agnew
Step off the edge…
Into dark, delicious adventure…
www.deniseagnew.com
September 17th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
I haven’t traveled a lot. My family and neighbors went on a trip to Myrtle Beach. We all had a great time. We swam so far out into the ocean that the lifeguard had to call us back. We didn’t kow we was out that far either. lol. They had a ride at the amusement park that when you got to the top all you could see was the ocean. It was beautiful. I’m dying to go back, it was such fun.
September 17th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
I have traveled to Canada and I am planning to travel to Vancouver this Friday for a week. I hope to take a lot of pictures and enjoy myself for my birthday. I would love to travel to Ireland and England. I think it would really spark my interest and my writing. I keep hoping to win a trip or save enough money after I get all my other goals done to go and enjoy myself far away.
Great post!
September 17th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Hmm, the strangest experience I’ve ever had occured on our Honeymoon, and no, I don’t mean that! lol
We were returning from Florida when we were bogged down in some of the worst fog the Gulf Coast had ever experienced. We tried to find a room all across Alabama, into Mississippi. Finally, through the dense fog we see a sign for a hotel, The Trade Winds, that actually had a vacancy. We go in, and are greeted by a Lurch look-alike. The place had seen better days. We discovered later, it generally rented rooms by the hour. As we passed the really lovely dining room, something out of an old Southern mansion, all decked out in linen, silve and lovely china we noticed the cobwebs decorating the chandeliers. Oy!
We finally make it to the room, travelling up the wheezing elevator with a couple of ladies of the evening draped in black and red satin. The room is smallish, dank and dark, but safer than the fog shrouded highway. The bathroom was dismal, the tub sported a huge rust stain. The room had one of those old-fashioned a/c heater combinations that sounded like someone breathing heavily. I went into shower and was attacked by the biggest damn roach I’ve ever seen. My poor hubby almost had a heart attack when I screamed bloody murder. We settled in to rest, till the fog cleared,but this is one night we’ll never forget!
September 18th, 2007 at 12:20 am
I have traveled a lot. We drove everywhere for family vacations when I was growing up. That tradition stuck with me after I was married. My most horrendous vacation was when I was about 13. We were driving from CA to NE to visit relatives. My dad is the type that drvies until he is tired. So, we’re driving through Arizona and he decides to stop in Albuquerque, however, there’s a convention in town and there’s no vacancies. So, he kept driving and pulled into this small town (Winslow, which has grown since then) and stops at the first place that has a vacancy sign. Oy! The owner/desk clerk, tells my parents, “yes, there’s a pool, but we filled it in with dirt! The inusrance was too high to have it.” So, we go to our room, as we open the door & turn on the lights, the carpet moved - nothing but cockroaches! There was a bar behind the motel so you could here all of the drunks in the alley talking. My dad decided taht he was too tired to drive so he we ended up staying! I think he slept about 2 hours before it got to him and he said that was enough and loaded everyone back into the van. If I remember correctly, he stopped not too far down the road and we slept in the van!
To this day, we still talk about that motel!
September 18th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Hi Amy,
Sounds like your vacation was a lovely time. Was that trip quite a time ago or recently? I’m glad he lifeguard was looking out for you.
Denise A. Agnew
September 18th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Waving to the other Denise! How are ya girl? Please be sure to say howdy on my chat loop when you get back and if you like we can post some of your pictures on the loop. I’ve never had the opportunity to go to Canada.
Denise A.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:09 am
Angel!!! Wow. Now that begs for a great Halloween story! I love it. I’ll bet you weren’t too amused by the whole thing until later eh?
This also reminds me that I have this move called VACANCY that I haven’t watched yet that I plann on watching today. Taking some R&R today.
Denise A. Agnew
September 18th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Jodi!!! UGGGG on the hotel. How awful. Back in the late sixties and early seventies we had a few family trips like that through various places because my dad wanted to drive until he couldn’t drive any more. What’s up with that? We were lucky that none of the hotels were quite as bad as what you’ve mentioned, but pretty darned close.
Denise A. Agnew
September 18th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Dark Fireis already on my keeper shelf, so don’t enter me in the contest.
I have only traveled a bit in the U.S., but I am trying to organize a trip to Ireland for my 40th wedding anniversary.
My wackiest vacations were those we took as a family growing up. I remember the summer we borrowed a camper, and everytime you went around a corner, all the cupboards opened up. So, all the kids were assigned a corner that they were in charge of, and used hands and feet to keep everything closed. That was the same vacation that my Dad hit a low hanging branch in a church yard and put a giant whole in the top of the trailer. But we were only half way thru the vacation, and just duct taped blankets over the hole. It added some freezing cold nights to an already crazy trip. We all still laugh about it now.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Cathy M,
I’m so pleased Dark Fire is on your keeper shelf. That’s a great compiment. Thanks! I think you will love, love, love Ireland. It’s a wonderful place. Wow, though. Your childhood camper experiences are truly funny! Although I’m sure you didn’t think they were funny at the time, right?
Denise A. Agnew
September 20th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
My sisters and I all laughed about it at the time, but shut up fast when my parents were so not amused. They had the whole insurance hassle to go thru. But years later, the whole family laughs hysterically whenever that adventure comes to mind. As for Ireland, my boys were born on St. Paddy’s day, and they are the ones actively socking away money to go, though, there is still a slim chance that we could make it a family trip. I would love that.
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:59 pm
The trip was about 12 years ago. It was so fun. We didn’t realize we were out that far.
September 25th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Cathy, isn’t it amazing that those things that can be the most irritating can sometimes end up not feeling like a big deal later? I’ve often wondered about that.
Good for your sons socking away travel money for Ireland. Here’s sending you good wishes that you’ll be able to go. 
Denise A. Agnew
September 25th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Amy, were you the least bit scared when you realized how far out you were?
Denise A. Agnew
September 26th, 2007 at 8:35 am
I think we was out about as far as a surfers would have been. We just swam back when we found out we were out to far. Now it scares me, but not then. Our friend that was with us had a jellyfish brush by her and it was just like it stung her. Her leg swelled up and everything. I did see a little girl that had been stung by a jellyfish and her arm was so swollen.