by Denise A. Agnew

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