When Inspiration Just Happens

Above: A wooden windowsill with various rocks and a pinecone. One rock in the middle has the word “Create” engraved in black text.

September 22, 2025

Remember a few weeks ago when I said I’m working on just one project for the first time in nine months? Yeah… about that.

Updates

The Way of the Wielder, Book Four: I’m now into part three—the final part of the final book of this series. As I build up to the final showdown, I’m enjoying how things are unfolding, although seeing the light at the end of the tunnel is a little bittersweet. 124k words down, less than 50k (I think… hope) to go!

The Way of the Wielder: If you don’t follow me on Facebook or Mastodon, you might have missed some exciting news a couple of weeks ago. The Way of the Wielder hit #84 in the Women’s Fantasy Fiction category on Amazon! Seeing my book in the top 100 was incredible (even if it was temporary), and I have all of you to thank for that. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

Inspiration Out of Nowhere

The benefit of working on only one project is, I can put all of my attention on my WIP (for context, I’ve written over 23,500 words since August 27). The drawback to working on only one project is, my mind has a lot more space to wander without purpose.

But of course, a writer’s mind never truly wanders without purpose.

It Started with a Book

A couple of weeks ago, I started reading a book titled Ishness, by A.K. Aston. If you haven’t read it, definitely check it out, because I think it’s one of the most original books I’ve ever read. What I loved most about this paranormal story is how the author portrayed loneliness, and the desire for connection in our darkest hours.

If you’ve read Convergence of Connection (and even part of Mysteries of the Material), you know I have a thing for stories about loneliness, and the emotions associated with it.

Or Maybe it was a Drive

One day last week, I went out to do some errands. It was a beautiful morning, with a brilliant blue sky and that subtle touch of ‘late-summer in New England’ crispness in the air. It would have been a sin to ruin such peace with music, so I rolled down the windows and let my mind wander.

Earlier that morning, I went for a walk on the treadmill and read Ishness. It was one of the more emotional parts of the story, where the main character was alone, separated from those she cares for deeply. It must have lingered in my subconscious, because I started to think about how I would write such a situation (again).

Before I knew it, two characters appeared to me. One woman, one man, both alive and well—but in separate Material Existences.

A Romantic Fantasy with a Twist

I’m still noodling over the details of this story, but what I can tell you is, it’s not your typical romantic fantasy. These two characters are drawn to each other, but they only meet in the realm of dreams. And they only meet once in a lifetime.

Over the course of several lifetimes, they come to realize that there’s a reason they always find each other: they’re soul twins. They vow to find each other in the same world one day, even if it takes centuries to do so.

There are two twists that make this story unique:

One—as the characters live their lives, there will be ties to the worlds I’ve written, or plan to write. Yes, that means there will be a connection to The Way of the Wielder series. Be excited.

Two—these characters will eventually appear in our world. That makes this story not just a romantic fantasy, but a magical realism romance.

It’s a story about the longing for an unknown—but deeply felt—love. It’s a story about loneliness and sorrow, joy and peace, separation and completeness. It’s a story that will tear out your heart, and stitch it back together in the most beautiful way. And if you’ve read my other works, I know you wouldn’t want it any other way.

In the Queue

I don’t have a specific timeline for writing this story. There are many other projects stewing around in my brain, some of which will need my attention sooner rather than later (namely, my next series). But this story… I can’t stop thinking about it. And the characters refuse to leave me alone. They appear to me in the most random of moments, telling me their hopes and dreams, and revealing their deepest, messiest emotions.

In truth, it might become my pet project—one I write on the days when I need a break from whatever project I’m working on at the time, or when my own emotions are too overwhelming for me to focus on anything else.

But I promise you, it will get written. And it will be beautiful.

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That’s all for now. Thanks for reading!

Until next time, be well, be kind, and stay creative.

~Sarah