Do you ever use nature to inspire your writing? When I plotted out my Young Adult novel, I knew I wanted a place near a forest. That was simple enough, there are forests all over the world to use as a reference. But I’m writing a magical forest, a faerie realm, so I wanted to be a little more specific. I didn’t have to think about it very long to come up with my solution. There is only one place that inspired such a magical vision in my mind. The Teton mountains in Wyoming, and the Yellowstone national forest. I can’t think of many places more beautiful.

There was more to it than that, I came to find. Studies of the area pointed out that it was the first national park declared in America. An event that also happens in my book. On top of that, it was declared such in a year that fit within my story’s timeline. I found it interesting to say the least. I like to study history, so I knew some things I read, but Yellowstone has worked out better than I ever imagined.

Do you get inspired by things around you? Sometimes it seems to fit just a little too nice for it all to be mere coincidence. For me, I think we find what we need to find. Or at the very least, we find a special meaning in the things around us. I used to visit the Tetons every winter, I did so for many years. I hope that one day I can do so again, create my own annual tradition.

What inspires you?