Author Anna Hackett‘s debut Silhouette Nocturne Bite story Savage Dragon has some real historical inspiration behind it. Find out the facts — and leave a comment about your own sources of inspiration for a chance to win an Amazon gift card from Anna! — in this blog post by Anna…
by Anna Hackett, author of Savage Dragon
I confess I love old things. I’m an ancient history buff. I was the kid in the fourth grade who said I was going to be an archaeologist when I grew up. I’ve marveled at Stonehenge, stood in the Colosseum, seen the Acropolis, visited the ruins of Troy and been inside the Pyramids (twice!)
Well, I didn’t become an archaeologist, I became an engineer (a mining engineer, so technically I still dig in the dirt), but I never lost my love for history. When I started writing, it was no surprise I decided to write paranormal. Taking myths, legends and places out of actual history and using them as a basis for a story was a dream come true.
I draw on my travels, my reading and research for endless ideas for my stories and the paranormal beings that inhabit them. I often use facts, places and names that have basis in history, and curious readers can look up these facts and find the real myth behind the fiction.
When I decided to write a story about dragons, I didn’t know much about them except for the fire-breathing and the scales. I was stumped as to how to make scales sexy! Once I started researching, I found a wealth of information on dragons from all parts of the world.
In my current Nocturne Bites, SAVAGE DRAGON, the hero and heroine are both modern day knights of the Order of the Dragon. I ripped the name right from the pages of history. In 1408, Sigismund, King of Hungary founded the chivalric order to fight the enemies of Christianity. One of the more interesting members of the Order was a man named Vlad Tepes, better known as Dracula. I wondered what a modern day order of knights would be like, what they’d fight for, and SAVAGE DRAGON and the world of the Order of the Dragon was born.
I also came across legend after legend linking dragons to the four elements, but I felt this had been covered quite a lot in other stories. Then as I was researching some Chinese myths, I stumbled across the Wu Xing — the five Chinese elements: earth, water, fire, metal and wood. These became the basis for the magic of my dragons.
I love those “Ah-ha” moments, where something-a place, a person, a story, a curious fact, a cool action sequence in a movie-speaks to you. You get that excited tingle, that sense of inspiration, you feel connected to something. As a writer, when I get those moments I know I’m onto a potential story idea.
I got that feeling when I read about the real-life Order of the Dragon. I got it when I saw a tattoo of a band of flames around a muscled bicep and the hero in my September Bites, WIND KISSED, FIRE BOUND was born. I got it when I stood in the ruins of the Roman Forum (in a spot where Julius Caesar had stood) and set my October Bites, TAKEN BY THE SOUTH WIND in history-filled city of Rome.
So, how about you? I’d love to hear about that person, place, story or thing that gives you that sense of inspiration. It might be the spooky woods behind your house, an old photo album, the latest blockbuster movie you saw or the sexy guy at the coffee shop. Share your inspirational moments and you’ll go in the draw for a $15 Amazon gift card!
Note: contest will close on Sunday, July 26 at midnight — so be sure to leave your comment by then for a chance to winner! We’ll announce the winner here on Monday, July 27. And remember, if you wish to comment without registering, you can use our generic account: username and password both “Anonymous“. Good luck! ~Amy
Hey Anna,
Look at that I’m the first to comment! I’m usually such a slacker, maybe I’m turning over a new leaf. Before I get into my inspiration I just want to take the time to say congratulations again on your debut, it is really wonderful.
I get my inspiration from many different places too. Books, movies, history, and people are the big ones. I love looking at an event or myth and taking it one step further by asking what happened next. I also get a lot of inspiration from music. A great song can paint a picture in my mind and the next thing I know I am zoned out and a new idea is flashing in my head. I love those Aha moments too, they make me feel like a real writer. Congrats again on Savage Dragon and best wishes for continued success.
Karyn/Sophia
I get my inspiration from my fellow (but published) authors. Just knowing that they’ve blazed a trail for me is enough to inspire to keep going.
As a descendant, or at least im hoping based on my own studies, of Vlad Dracula I’m impressed by the research you did (though i have not read the ebook yet, as I can’t afford it), but his father, Vlad Dracul, was the first of the family to be in it when it was founded, and obviously that carried from father to son.
Anna, congrats on Savage Dragon! I love researching history as well. The history bug didn’t bite me until I was researching our family tree several years ago. Now I have two WIPs based on fictionalized versions of our family history. Can’t wait to read your next WIP!
MickiB from eHqn
fHi Karyn/Sophia,
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the congrats on Savage Dragon. You are so right about music being a great source of inspiration! Writing my second WindKeeper Bites, TAKEN BY THE SOUTH WIND, I listened to the gladiator soundtrack for inspiration. I need you use music more often. Thanks for sharing.
Anna
Hi Lou–
How cool to have such exciting ancestors. Vlad Dracul is almost as interesting as his son. Both of them being members of the Order of the Dragon was great inspiration for me. Glad to hear you get inspiration from your fellow writers.
Anna
Hello Micki!
Wow, two WIPs based on your family tree — what a great source of inspiration. Maybe I need to look at my family history and see if there is anything (or anyone) interesting hanging out there. Thanks for the congrats on Savage Dragon and I hope you enjoy the WindKeeper stories.
Anna
Hi Anna,
Fairy tales, myths and legends.
Congrats on the release of SAVAGE DRAGON. When I was reviewing it for my blog, I mentioned how your work is always well-researched. It makes your storytelling so solid, being steeped in history and its reality.
I was wondering about the elements thing – I knew of the four. Five is cool!
This post has made me think about what I find inspirational – and there’s a list…:
*Other books. Yours, Anna, for example!
*Pictures. Mainly of semi-naked men. Or very beautiful scenery. Same thing, right? Hehe.
* Music. If you find the right piece of music to feed your muse, it works…
* Places. I get spiritual about a beautful untouched beach or a thick forest.
* People. Historical figures and the world-changing events that they were involved in.
There’s a lot out there to get inspired by! Great post, Anna.
~ Emily. x
Hey Emily!
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the fab review you did of Savage Dragon. You have a great list of inspirational things. I find semi-naked men inspiring too – hence why I was so pleased with the cover for SD. And I agree on the beautiful, untouched beaches — I’m lucky to have some of those where I live (got to be an advantage to living in the middle of nowhere!)
Keep those ideas flowing, because I love reading your stories!
Anna
Also, Sunday isn’t the 16th. it’s the 12 and the 19.
Anna, I’m so excited about your dragon books. I love love love all things historical!
Thanks for pointing that out, Lou! It should have said the contest closes for comments on the 26th.
~Amy
I I get a lot of inspiration from my friends and family. I have always
said our lives could be a soap opera. Your book looks fascinating, can’t
wait to read it.
Linda Henderson
Hi! I agree with most of the above-noted inspirations. Amazingly enough, I get inspired by going to http://unscramble.net. I type in a word, for example,under Rhyme or Dictionary, and it lists dozens and dozens of other words. WORDS inspire me! My mind can wander in so many directions! Good luck!
Laney4
BTW, is there a reason why this blog is dated July 17, 2008 (at the top)?
Hi Stephanie–
Thanks for stopping by. And I know you love all things historical from reading your Bites! Anyone into Ancient Greek mythology should check out Stephanie’s Bites.
Anna
Lou and Amy–
Thanks for sorting out the dates for the end of the contest!
Anna
Hi Linda–
Glad to hear you get inspiration from your family and friends. A soap opera, huh? Sounds interesting (-:
Anna
Hey Laney–
Thanks for the link to unscramble.net. I’ll check it out and see if I get inspired! I have no idea why the date is incorrect, btw.
Anna
I Just hope everyone is reading still.
This contest has me on the edge of my seat, and I really wish I win..but grats early to whoever does.
Thank you to all who entered the contest! Comments are now closed and the winner will be announced shortly.
~Amy