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Karen: Sometimes readers are surprised to learn that even though I
spend most of my time shaping words and chapters, I’m even more drawn to photographs.
I love searching the Internet for interesting historical images. Every time I find
a good one, my mind buzzes with story ideas. I’m not unique, apparently. I’ve met several writers who have been inspired by photographs. Just this week, I met a woman at the Oregon Christian Writers conference who goes out and buys photos at antique shops so she can write stories about them. I love that! I always feel badly for the poor nameless pictures mixed in with the antiques. I want to know the people’s names and stories. Just recently I was able to reconnect a set of orphaned portraits with a ministry who desperately wanted them. It was a fun experience, and I’ll be writing about that Monday over at my own blog (www.KarenBarnettBooks.com).
Have you ever been inspired by an image? Here’s one that got to me.
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| (Photo courtesy of Stanford Medical History Center) |
I knew I had to capture this imagery in my novel. My character wasn’t a surgeon—he was a doctor working with X-ray technology. No matter. I’d find a way to get him in that room with the scowling surgeon. I had to.
It became a turning point in the novel. The tension visible in the image fed into the scene, creating a make-or-break moment for my character. I loved the amphitheater setting so much, I had another character visit it later in the book—and receive news that would bring her to her knees. If you’ve read Beyond the Ashes, you know what I’m talking about. (Don’t spoil it for anyone else!)
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| (Photo courtesy of Stanford Medical History Center) |
Karen has graciously offered a free copy of Beyond the Ashes to one lucky winner! Share in the comments what inspires you about this picture of Union Station in 1923. What kind of story do you see? We’d love to hear your thoughts! (Don't forget to fill out the Rafflecopter. Sorry, due to shipping costs, only US Citizens are eligible to win.)
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| (Free image courtesy of HistoricalStockPhotos.com) |
About Karen
Inspired by God’s devotion to His people and her own passion for research and learning, author Karen Barnett creates historical romances that explore her characters’ faith and how their experiences impact the way they view God.
A graduate of Valparaiso University and Oregon State University, Barnett’s debut novel, Mistaken, was released in 2013 and earned her the Oregon Christian Writers “Writer of Promise” award. A former park ranger, she loves getting out into God’s creation. She spends her free time taking photographs, dragging her kids through dusty history museums, decorating crazy birthday cakes and watching movies.
Karen, her husband and their two children live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
To learn more about Karen Barnett, visit karenbarnettbooks.com, become a fan on Facebook (KarenBarnettAuthor) or follow her on Twitter (KarenMBarnett).
About Beyond the Ashes
He’s still missing his heart’s desire.
Is it really better to have loved and lost
than never to have loved at all?
Where better to rebuild and face one’s fears than in 1906 San Francisco, a city rising from the ashes? Ruby Marshall, a young widow, is certain she’ll discover new purpose assisting her brother Robert with his cancer research, but she doesn’t anticipate finding new love.
Dr. Gerald Larkspur dreams of filling his empty home with family, but he’d always hoped it would be a wife and children. In the aftermath of the great earthquake, the rooms are overflowing with extended family and friends left homeless by the disaster. When Robert’s widowed sister arrives, the close quarters seem close indeed.
Ruby and Gerald’s fledgling romance is put at risk when Gerald develops symptoms of the very disease they’re striving to cure. Together they must ask—is it worth a second chance at love when time might be short?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Really enjoyed this post. I'm so into photography; taking my own photos and looking at photographer's photos as well. I'm really into historical photos. I think the union station photo is about two conductors conversing before starting a shift or either something important has intrigued them. Possibly, there is a delay in trains leaving the station.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win Beyond the Ashes by Karen Barnett. The story sounds so good.
That's a great thought, Rebecca! And it would create a lot of tension. Those conductors were sticklers about being on time!
DeleteI would have to agree, Rebecca. Those men look as if they are sharing some sort of information. They look awfully nonchalant, but perhaps that's because they don't want to draw attention to themselves. :)
DeleteI love, love looking at historic photographs! It's wonderful when authors use these for inspiration and research. Honestly, I believe it comes through in their writing. Does it make you stop, slow down with dialogue, and pay attention to description, scenery, and atmosphere? I would think so.
ReplyDeleteI have loved your books so far, Karen and can't wait to read this one. Gabrielle, I'm looking forward to reading your novellas and hope you can get another contract soon.
Thanks, Sylvia! I think it does slow us down. Sensory detail helps to draw the reader into a scene and photos often trigger those for me. What does the place smell like? Sound like? How does the light fall in the room?
DeleteThank you for your kind words, Sylvia. Yes, photographs definitely help with writing the story. In my Love Inspired story, I know exactly what the children look like (little replicas of their mother), and I can see the pain and anguish each one is feeling. To write a scene ripe with emotion, I simply needed to look at the picture and I could feel it (which makes it easier to relay on the page).
DeleteGabe and Karen, thank you so much for this fascinating post. As the saying goes "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words", I am glad you were able to capture them in novel form. I see spiritual indicators from the sun shining through the windows in the Union Station photo. I would love to read Beyond the Ashes. Thanks for the chance to do so.
ReplyDeleteYes! The first thing that drew me to the photo was the light. Then you see the shadows. I hadn't thought of the spiritual element. Good one, Caryl! Isn't it amazing how we all see different aspects?
DeleteI love your perspective, Caryl! I also love the brilliant rays of sunshine. It could so easily represent a spiritual message in the story. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteInteresting post, thank you!! It prompted me to investigate cancer, a topic of interest for me - having had it twice, and undergoing testing for a possible 3rd bout of it now. I didn't realize it had been around since BC, you'd think there would have been cures found to have made it an extinct disease by now.
ReplyDeleteThe pic at Union Station prompts my imagination re: the stories of the people sitting on the bench, however, my first thought was of the beams of light representing God's light shining in the dark recesses of one's soul.
I'd love to read "Beyond the Ashes", thanks for the giveaway opportunity!!
Thanks, Bonnie! I love the idea of God's light shining in our souls. Nice imagery. It sounds like you and Caryl were thinking along the same lines.
DeleteI'm praying for you, Bonnie! I love when something (a picture, a story, etc.) prompts people to do more research on their own. I also love your ideas about the picture at Union Station. The light is so brilliant--just like the Light of Christ.
DeleteI enjoyed reading the post today.. I think Union Station in 1923 would have brought out a lot of interesting characters to meet & learn their stories. I'd love to put Beyond the Ashes in my TBR stack :) dkstevensneAToutlookD OTcOM
ReplyDeleteYes, Deanna! So many people traveled by train in those days, all across the country. I'm sure there are countless stories to be told about Union Station. :)
DeleteThose were some interesting pictures. The book sounds interesting also.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, Edward! I couldn't agree more about the photos, or the book. :)
DeleteThanks for sharing ladies! Old photos are definitely interesting. I love the light coming through the upper windows in the Union Station photo.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting this book so I hope I win. I haven't ever read your books but I love finding new authors I haven't read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteCharis Z.