by People are forever asking writers, “Where do you get your ideas?” And we look at them blankly, because we can’t comprehend the question. The reason for that is that we are inundated with ideas. Everything we see or hear or read sets our busy little minds to spinning.
For example, take the idea for my June book, An Impetuous Abduction. For reasons I have now forgotten, I was perusing the list of given names in my fifty-year-old Webster Collegiate Dictionary. I noticed that the English name ‘Demetra’ is derived from ‘Demeter’, the Greek fertility goddess.
Well, duh! But who knew? That put me in mind of the famous myth of Demeter; her daughter, Persephone; and Hades, Lord of the Underworld. You know the one? The one that explains why we have fertile summer and barren winter?
In a nut shell, Hades absconds to his realm with Persephone, and her mother pines so much that she doesn’t do her job of making things grow. Zeus, Chief God, has to get into it and negotiate a deal that allows Persephone to stay with her husband, Hades, for six months of the year and with her mother for six months. Thus winter and summer.
Mother love is a beautiful thing, and it has its place in the world, but can you imagine poor Hades having Demeter as a mother-in-law? Can you imagine being Persephone and being tugged first one way and then the other? How are the honeymoon couple going to live happily ever after?
There is more to this story than just Zeus’s solution!
And I decided to write it.
Thanks, TGTBTU, for letting me join you today!
Hi Patricia!
Oh, I love the mythical background! Can’t wait to read this!
Just finished this last night! It was quite enjoyable.
Hi Patricia,
I love the idea behind the story and will have to read this one. The history of a place is usually what pulls me to write a story, but I do enjoy the books that are based on fairytales, myths, legends too.
Kathryn Albright
Hi, Devon. I’m so glad you enjoyed An Impetuous Abduction! I enjoyed cooking this one up.
And Deb and Kathryn, thanks for stopping by. It was getting lonely.
Hugs to all–
Patti
Patricia Frances Rowell
I love all things greek mythology. This sounds soo interesting, Patti!
Hi, Patti!
An Impetuous Abduction is on my list for purchase at my favorite brick and mortar this week. Can’t wait to see how you’ve blended Greek mythology with romance fiction. Your books are among my favorites, and I’ve read them all several times 🙂 Your storytelling talent is amazing!
Best wishes for continued success,
Shawna
Hi Patty!
How lovely to see you in the spotlight!
Smooches!
le sigh… I haven’t had a chance to even post on my faves here
Work sooooooo gets in the way of fun. I haven’t had a chance to read yours yet Patty. I just finished Pam’s yesterday, which was very enjoyable but I am a sucker for a western ;).
But I plan to get to yours soon! I bought it when I picked up the others. (And yeah I bought them even though I have most in e) It is time to start shelf shopping because the one I have that holds my HH is out of room. And that was before the 55 books I bought used. OMG it was a treasure of early 90’s HH. I mean WOW. I can’t be the only one with a bookcase JUST for HH.
So Patricia I wanted to ask you, willl this be a series? Or is this a stand alone? hmmm does HH have many stand alones?
What I truly admire is that you did it consciously, Patricia! Whenever I’ve done something like that it’s been completely accidental and I’ve only seen what I’m doing about half way through, or when I’m writing a synopsis to clear things up in my mind. That’s when I spot patterns and sources for my ideas. When I wrote a synopsis for His Lady Mistress years I found Sophocles, Alexander Pope and Charles Dickens in the mix. This was in the days before I had a website or blogged anywhere, otherwise I’d have offered a book prize to any reader who could spot the references!
Elizabeth
Oh goodness no – you aren’t the only one with space devoted to just HH books Sybil! I have a hanging single shelf in my home office where most of them are – and I’ve gotten to the point where I’m stacking them on top of one another. I also have a small collection in my office at work – mainly because I tend to have my eHarlequin orders delivered there. Then, of course, there’s the small stash I have stored on my computer because lately I’ve been buying HH as ebooks. My last count? 91 HH titles. Sigh. It’s a sickness I tells ya.
Patty, I have to buy this book. Not only is the mythological reference fascinating, the cover’s fantastic. You just keep getting better and better! Well done.
Oooh, Patricia, Greek Myths!
I adore them, but your poor heroine, the Persephone/Hades myth – how could you do that to her?! Am longing to read your take on it. An image has popped into my head of that beautiful Pre-Raphaelite painting of Persephone with the pomegranite…lovely.
Best wishes
Carol
I love myths and using myths to inspire writing.
The whole Persphone myth is one of the more interesting myths. I am looking forward to reading your take on it!
Hi Patti, I’ve always loved mythology, interesting background to this story. Looking forward to reading it.
Hi, Hussies–
Thanks to all of you who stopped in to comment. I am so out of it where all this e-networking is concerned. (Surely that doesn’t mean I am getting old, does it?) I appreciate the support.
Hugs–
Patti–Patricia Frances Rowell
Hi, Sybil–
This story stands alone. It is my fifth book with HH. The only two that relate to one another are the first one, A Perilous Attraction, and the fourth, A Treacherous Proposition.
Patti
Hey, Shawna! It is good to see you here. Thanks for the kind words.
Patti
Hi, Donnell–
Thanks for coming by. I hope you enjoy the book.
Patti
Hi Patti,
Can’t wait to read your new book. Don’t you have a signing this week at Barnes and Noble?? I’m looking forward to hearing you speak at the chapter meeting tomorrow. Sue (your other Sue)
I can’t wait to read this book. Loved the excerpt and book cover.
Hi, Kimmy–
Thanks for looking in. I hope you enjoy my story.
patti