Local inspiration

The second semester of my MA in Creative Writing is titled 'Source and Transformation'. We're working through fictional pieces which originated from other, usually factual, sources. An example is Tracy Chevalier's novel 'Girl with a pearl earring' which arose out of Chevalier's fascination for the famous Vermeer painting. She delved into the life and times of Vermeer and out of her research evolved the wonderful novel. (If you haven't read it then do try. Her writing is beautifully subtle and understated -

rather like Vermeer's paintings. Reading the novel is like being immersed into one of his masterpieces. The film with Scarlett Johannson and Colin Firth is worth a look too - sticks mostly to the book and captures the atmosphere of both the novel and the historical period.) We've covered 'Girl with a pearl earring' in the MA along with Michael Cunningham's tribute to Virginia Wool 'The Hours'. We'll also be looking at both historical and art sources for fiction, as well myths and legends.

Now every story I've ever written has been triggered by some fact I've read or discovered on TV/radio/film etc. I'm often stimulated by fairytales, myths, legends and Old Wives' Tales. So this module should be a doddle. You'd think! But I'm struggling to find a topic that I haven't explored before. I want to write a longer short story on a theme I've not used before. And I'm struggling for inspiration ...

I drive past the Steyning Musuem at least once a week but have never ventured inside until today. I had half an hour before my dance class started and took the opportunity to wander around the exhibits. As I scribbled away in my notebook one of the on-hand volunteers enquired about my interests and we had a stimulating chat about some of the things that had caught my eye. I will be returning to explore some ideas further as a number of interesting local stories intrigued me.

During Queen Mary's reign (Bloody Mary) 3 men were burned as Protestant heretics and one man, John Launder, was burned at Steyning (on Chantry Green) - as the town was a spot in mid-Sussex chosen to be used as a warning to others. Hmm, perhaps it still is a hotbed of heretics? I know quite a few writers live there... The town dates to pre-Saxon times and was where St Cutham built his church over 1300 years ago. Apparently he pushed his mother in a cart (or wheel-barrel) over the downs (we don't know why) and finally came to stop in Steyning - well it does have several nice teashops ...

If you're in need of inspiration for your fiction then why not visit your local museum. They often mount exhibitions with a local slant and many are focusing on the Great War this year. There are kept alive by volunteers who are always keen to talk with anyone who shows an interest. I quickly confessed to being a writer, but you don't have to - unless like me you express an interest in the more macabre exhibits ...

Keep Writing. And please share where or how you get inspired ...