Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Wings of Inspiration by Anna J Stewart

Looking at my writing schedule, I'm about to delve into the second book in my Butterfly Harbor series (tentatively titled Flutterby Dreams).  Due to some "shifts" with the line I'm writing for, it means a change in plot, circumstance, conflict and some other things, but one thing that's definitely not changing: the setting. The fictional town of  Butterfly Harbor, California, is my homage to the Monterey area and more specifically, Pacific Grove.  Can you blame me? *sigh*




Tell me you can't hear those waves or smell that briny air? I'm a Northern CA girl down to the deepest chromosome. I was raised in San Francisco and even though I've moved north into a rather hot valley, there's something about the Bay Area, and more specifically, being so close to the Pacific ocean that lightens my heart.  It's strange as I'm not particularly fond of water, but there's a calm that comes over me the closer I get to the water and a peace that makes it feel as if I'm coming home whenever I head down south.

The name Butterfly Harbor is actually in homage to my grandmother, who loved butterflies. I still have a number of her butterfly items scattered about the house, with lacy colorful wings and lithe, sturdy bodies. Butterflies fascinate me. They're so delicate and yet withstand so much, especially the Monarch, which in Butterfly Harbor, they find refuge. There's an amazing butterfly habitat in San Francisco where I've spent time just standing and watching them flit around, perching on the edge of the most dainty of flowers. It's the best meditation I've ever found. And a reminder there's so much to marvel at  in life.




As my series progresses (hopefully!), I'll be delving more deeply into the conservation and preservation aspects of making sure these amazing creatures thrive. It's kind of nice, being able to write my stories and include something that for most of my life has been a constant. It's as if my grandmother is hovering over my shoulder, her whisper as soft as a butterfly's wing beating, and pushing me onward.  

Thank you, Grandma. For the wings of inspiration.

Happy reading, everyone!
~Anna J

A geek at heart, national bestselling author Anna J Stewart writes "refreshingly unique, quietly humorous, and profoundly moving romance" (RT Book Reviews) for Harlequin Heartwarming and Berkley Intermix. Visit her online and make sure to sign up for her news only newsletter. She gives away a surprise gift box to one lucky subscriber in every issue!

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7 comments:

  1. Awesome photos - and I love butterflies, too! How sweet you have some butterfly things that belonged to your grandmother.

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    1. Hi Shanna!! I had fun taking them. Might be time for another trip to the bay. :) gotta restock my images! Lol.

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  2. Your homage to your grandmother is beautiful, Anna :) I love the name of the harbor and your setting in general. I was born in CA, spent lots of days on the beach with my parents raising me up over the "big" waves (we were probably in calf deep water :) and loving it. Then we moved to Long Island and I got to spend more of my childhood on the Atlantic which I also love. Finally we moved to Upstate New York beside Lake Champlain- a very large, deep fresh water lake that roughly spans a little less than half the length of NY state... I'm a water sign- so I guess it makes sense that I can't imagine my life spent living anywhere "landlocked" - even Lake Champlain connects south to Lake George then to the Hudson River then to the Atlantic or north to the Saint Lawrence seaway and then again out to the Atlantic. I can't wait to read your new series and I good luck adjusting your storyline to meet your editor's wants. I know that can be stressful. On the first book of my new contract, my editor asked me to change it to a secret baby story and I had to scramble to reimagine my story! But in the end, I like it so much better now and am grateful that I made the changes :)

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    1. Change can be good, Karen. At least that's what I tell myself. It's funny, as much as I love the water, or maybe the idea of it, I'm happier on land. Lol. Thanks so much for posting! <3

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  3. What a great premise, Anna! Hope it lasts a long, long time.

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    1. Me, too, Mel! With you at my back, it should. <3

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  4. I love your pic of the bay. I'm with you about the sea, although I live a long way from it now. But being near the Great Lakes is not a bad second. I love your butterfly story idea and the homage to your grandmother. My mother loved butterflies, especially monarchs. Now whenever I see monarchs floating about my flowers I remember mom.
    Thanks for sharing. I like reading about others' writing journeys since I'm on my own writing journey. :)

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