With my head so far up Soulless‘s butt I can’t really see much else, I’ve been struggling to think of blog posts. I need to get some new fuel going, so I got to thinking about all those beautiful images I’ve been saving for prompts that I’ve found around the Internet and thought, “Ah-ha. Now there’s an idea!” So every once in a while, I’ll share one and talk about the inspiration it strikes in me. Hopefully, you can feel inspired, too, and share your own musings. The first one is an image I found on A Stairway to Fashion, one of my favorite fashion blogs, of the incredibly stunning Lupita Nyon’o,from July 2014’s Vogue magazine.
I had to pick my jaw up off the floor when I saw this photograph, because I had to wonder how in the hell the photographer got into my rough draft of The Second Asyentai and composed up the perfect image of Katrin Ferrore (modern clothes notwithstanding). A beautiful and strong woman, short shorn hair (because hair is a liability in a battle!), looking regal and poised and staring at, of all things, the same bloody Serpent that she represents. In fact, my idea for a cover of Serpent in a Cage is much like this image, only in an art nouveau style, and with Auferrix instead of Katrin. This is definitely Katrin, though. Auferrix is too young and inexperienced; there’s knowledge and power here, which perfectly embodies Auferrix’s great-great-great-great-great-great-how-ever-many-greats-great-grandmother. Every time I look at it, I feel that surge of inspiration and admiration for the character, as she’s one of my favorites and truly a bad ass.
Once Soulless is out in the world (another great tale of strong, bad ass women), I might take a moment to revisit The Second Asyentai, or at least revisit Katrin’s chapters, keeping this inspiring image firmly in mind. She’s such a complexity and a rewarding challenge to write. And now I even have a pretty good idea of who would be the perfect cast for her, too. I wonder if the Serpent would also be available for casting?
L.S. Engler 
It’s lovely when something so tangible as a photo can inspire/represent so perfectly our writing isn’t it? Gorgeous photo and your books sound intriguing too. 🙂
Thanks, Elaine! It really is lovely. Something just clicks, and it just confirms that you’ve got something really good going. Hopefully, one day, you’ll get to read them….I’ve got to get to finish writing them!
You do that and I’ll look forward to reading the results!! 🙂
I agree, that photo is stunning in every way! Great image and source of inspiration. Thanks for sharing!
That’s an awesome photo – the look in Lupita’s eyes is just – there are no words.
If that’s what your character is like, you’ve got an awesome, badass protag on your hands!! And yay to awesome badass women! 🙂