What In-Spirals Me?

Last week I talked a little about what inspires the creation of my characters – namely the cast of thousands of young people that I have come across during my many years of teaching.  Other teachers and school staff in general, are not immune to my search for ‘inspiring’ character traits.  What inspires me – is the topic of this week’s episode of Reel Time.

As corny as it may sound, life inspires me to be constantly asking: ‘Why is it so?’, and ‘When can it be so?’ and ‘How so?’

What I have discovered, since beginning the research for the Star Ways Chronicles, is that creating stories is not dissimilar to carrying out a scientific investigation.  An author has an idea, like a scientist, tests that idea makes an observation, documents, improves on the idea and tests again.  The process itself is inspiring, as well as a ‘spiralling’ one. (That’s a double ‘l’ for Aussie spellers, one ‘l’ for Americans).

Spiralling is a significant term in my book.  It is what spirems do – um, in their spiral formations.  The term ‘spiral’ can also mean ‘star’.  Either way, they are natural wonders that I can never get enough of.  Here are some of my favourites.

http://www.chrisbray.net/tutorial_star_trail_photography.php

This National Geographic hyperlink leads to some amazing photography taken by Chris Bray of the motion of stars.  You’ve got a digital LSR and want to have a go yourself?  Then link to James Vernacotola’s tutorial.  Look at the stunner he captured.

http://www.jamesvernacotola.com/Resources/How-To-Photograph-Star-Trails

Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for our modern world’s sphere of Terra.