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I is for Ireland or Imagination

This week, I'm very pleased to welcome multi-published author Claudy Conn who shares her thoughts on Ireland--Imagination--and Travels.

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I for Ireland or the imagination—which brings us to travel.

I have always found that visiting somewhere, anywhere takes on a life of its own and works its way directly into my writing.

A 30 minute ride to Office Supply (living in the country-anywhere is 30 minutes away), brings me into rows and rows of boring and endless paper, pens, printers and suddenly I look up and see two men discussing business. Are they partners? They appear displeased with one another. One of the men looks particularly angry and as I cast a sideways glance I look up and discover that he is staring with hatred at the other man’s back. Oh no, do we have murder in the making?

Having dinner out in the metropolis one evening and I bend to pick up my napkin. As I lift my head I see a surly man and his eyes are wide and appeared crazed as he stares across the room. He stares at a woman there who is bending to kiss the man she is with. I hear him mutter her name--I hear a low throttle of indignation in his throat. I know without being told that she is his wife. His hand goes to his waist and I see the gun tucked in at his belt. Will he pull it out? Does he mean her harm? Imagination.

Travel almost anywhere is what you make of it. A trip we took to Scotland demanded we explore Lock Ness and as we gazed at its rolling dark blue waves I was sure I could see Nessie and her newborn dipping down deep as they made their way back to the sea and her life-long mate.

In England, a trip to Stonehenge and the Standing Stones made my mouth drop. I moved in closer to stare at the monoliths in awe and it happened--I heard their call in the breeze and I went closer. What stories they whispered. I reached out and touched the stone expecting it to be cold but it wasn’t. It burned into my skin and I felt electricity shoot up my arm. There right before me were portals to a Faery Realm, and other dimensions and I couldn’t look away. Right there before me was mystery and ancient myths demanding my attention.

Travel. I stood in the ruins of what was once a castle in Ireland and the walls rebuilt themselves for me and I can see men in armor drinking ale and toasting one another after a long hard fight in the battlefield. I see their wenches cavorting with them. I hear the minstrel…

I stand before a Fairy Mound and I know that the tales that began long before the written word must be based in fact. I am a strong believer in the adage, ‘where there is smoke there is fire’. I see the fire and it is full with history. I know how the tales of leprechauns and winged tiny fairies emerged and my mind explores the possibilities.

As a writer, I have always found that research opened up my mind as I found the unexpected in ancient texts. Letters written by Lord Byron, Shelly, Keats and Moore taught me the language and style of the day.

Travel, any kind of travel is one of a writer’s greatest boons which directs us back to I—Ireland or if you will the imagination. If you are a writer, you have it in abundance—use it for it is your gift. If you are a reader, enjoy it, because that is our ultimate gift.


Hi: You might already know that writing is a must for me. Inspiration comes from everything, but especially from my hot Irish husband, our incredible daughter and her handsome husband.

And then not to be ignored is Cherokee, our ¾ wolf--her (now 3year old) l70 pound son, our horse and Mr. H the turtle.

I used to write regencies and historical romances (over 40 mass market bestsellers). “Spellbound-Legend” is the first installment in my paranormal Legend series.

Thanks so much for your interest and hoping you will stop by and say hello.

Claudy Conn

http://www.claudyconn.embarqspace.com/



Maxine faces danger everywhere she turns. She has to keep an evil and ancient woman at bay, and all the while be instrumental in stopping the Fae Wall from coming down.

So much depends on her developing her innate magical skills. So much depends on the two men who have entered her life—one, Julian, the moody High Druid Priest who awakened after a two hundred year coma, and the other, a Fae Prince who wants to protect and keep her for his own. Maxie has decisions to make…


Available from Wings ePress.