People often ask how, as a writer, one comes up with the concept for a book. It is different for every writer, and I know just how different. My husband is a writer too, and there is nothing similar at all in the ways we work or in the books that we write or our style of writing. (Check out
his website). He's the author of a very funny memoir called
Turtle Feet, about his time as a Buddhist monk in India.
I think that I mentioned in an earlier blog that I was inspired to write Angelology during a visit I made to a convent, while sitting in the chapel, but there were other moments of inspiration which helped form the initial concept, most of which happened while I was traveling to do research. I went to Paris to find locations for the book but it was only toward the end of writing Angelology that I discovered a new interest in the grand old museums of art in Europe. The Louvre in Paris, for example, is one of my favorite places.
I also love to walk through the 1re arrondissement in Paris — I like to walk through the 'Jardin des Tuileries' (btw the Orangerie Museum has been renovated and is fabulous) — have a coffee near the 'Palais Royal' — and then spend an afternoon in the museum. Also, this restaurant was delicious, and the setting is amazing and right next to the museum.
Anyway, over the course of writing Angelology, I have come to love the angel paintings of Fra Angelico, Botticelli, and Leonardo Da Vinci. Check out this site for images of the paintings which I found useful.
The Annunciation pictures and panels are amazing. That made me think about the encounter (in the Bible) between Archangel Gabriel and Mary. The enormous frightening power of the flapping wings of the angel, the glowing light — completely frightening. I would have turned around and ran. Probably to the Louvre.
What's your favorite museum? Favorite paintings? Please post below.
It's been a great week. If you'd like to hear more of my carrying on, add me as a friend on Facebook.