Thursday’s Children March 21, 2013

Inspired by a friend
A weekly blog hop where
writers share their inspirations.
Please join us!


This week I've been struggling to edit my novel for two reasons: no time, and lack of knowledge/closure.

As you might or might not know, my novel takes place in Tlazazalca, Michoacan. Tlazazalca is a town, Michoacan is a state in Mexico. If you are wondering why my novel takes place there, well, it is because I am from there.

Okay, I lied. My novel takes place there because it tells a folklore legend that exists there, although  it is dying, because not many people know it. The old generation tell it, the young generation don't care about it because their minds have been stuffed with reality.

Anyways, me being away from the town where my novel takes place is a struggle. I had to do a lot of research, get places right, things, facts, etc. I spent two months reading the history of the town. Did any of it stuck in my head? NO!

I was told by someone who knows a lot about books,
"Write to entertain, not educate. Facts don't hurt, just don't sound like a history book."

With that in mind, I wrote tiny details, things many people could relate to. BINGO!

Then, I thought back. Everything I write about I imagine, but how is THE REAL THING? How does the town look at night, in the morning, during the day? The mountain?

For that reason, I found my old friends, the ones I went to school with, and found Daniel Luna. He first shared some amazing, amazing photos that fit so, so, so perfectly with my novel. (First photos here.)

Boost of inspiration!

Looking at those pictures and seeing how well they related to the legend, to what I write about, to the reason I began writing this long novel, made me feel something at the stomach, pushed my joy to the edge, and screamed at me, "FINISH IT! FINISH IT!"

Onto in now. I was low on inspiration this week and I stalked my friend a little more. Ha-ha-ha! And found 4 awesome photos!!! I am writing (editing) a chapter about the legend, the MOST important one.

Boost of inspiration!

You can visit The Chalzan on Twitter (Here) and read why the mountain in the pictures is important. It is the legend, the center of attention, the one that is, the one that was, the one that will become.

The mountain that shelters the cursed city and the terrifying, tamed White Zombies.

For the record, I invented the White Zombies. He-he! Just saying. The idea of the legend is too old, dating back to the 1600s, and clashing with another legend, which is also amazing. And which I won't tell. (Doing so much research made me discover the truth about the magic, and reality is something we know too much about. For that reason, a secret is better lived as a lie than lived as a truth.)

Feast your eyes, for this week these photos by Daniel Luna have given me the boost I needed to write about something I'm so far away from, yet know so much about, and have invented so much to fit it all together.

Blends of true and fantasy to become 'The Empire's Curse,' the first book in the Z Chronicles.








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Comments

  1. Those ARE incredible photos! I love, love, love when ancient myths/legends find their way into our lives and our stories. Awesome.

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  2. I agree. They are incredible. I'm very jealous now. Instead of mountains the highest point I have to look at is the Renaissance Center in Detroit. I think it's time for me to go on vacation.

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    1. I do not live near that mountain! NO jealousy at all. I need to visit soon, so I live by looking at picture, and imagining what is not there. ;-) Yes, vacation for you soon!

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  3. I'm so glad your decided to join the hop! Those pictures are absolutely stunning and I love that you're incorporating folklore into your story. I'm a huge fan of folklore, myths and fairy tales - and I just realized I don't have any from Mexico. I need to rectify that!

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    1. You don't? What! You need some! I know so many. If you need one, hit me. Also, I change most of the stories and make them my own.
      I even have a favorite creature from a Mexican legend! It is quite creepy, but awesome.

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  4. Hi!! So glad you joined today! Well, yesterday, lol. Anyway, I totally understand your frustrations. My stories take place in lands I've never visited, and involve legends I'm only just learning. How amazing to have a friend who captured the heart of your story in pictures for you to see. They're lovely!!

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    1. Thank you!! And yes, pictures are very necessary for me, specially when the place I write is real. I don't want to completely ruin the location, but I don't want it to be as is. Magic with words!

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  5. Yes I love the photos too - it is amazing to me how the shape of our mountains - where I live in Kapiti, New Zealand - I look at the shape of Kapiti Island everyday and it just sinks in. I love the idea of taking the ancient legends and giving a modern spin. We have a few here I'm hoping to tackle one day. Best of luck!

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    1. Thank you!!! I hope you do. Will keep and eye out for it. :-)

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  6. Oh wow! Love those photos! So amazing! And love that you were inspired by them. I have heard of White Zombies before, but don't remember much about them. Your novel sounds really fascinating. Good luck!

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    1. My White Zombies! Sweet! Means I'm not that crazy at all! He-he! And thank you!!

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  7. I've actually been to Michoacan! It was when I was a kid in the 80s. We went to see the monarch butterflies. This was long before it got touristy and the only way to get up the mountain was clinging to a rope on the back of a truck. It certainly is an inspiring place. Your novel sounds fantastic. Thanks so much for joining us on Thursday's Children!

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    1. No way! This makes me smile a lot!! I actually write about the monarch butterflies in my novel! *Let's all the smiles to faint* It is an amazing state. And it has a lot of history. Also, it is the one with the most volcanoes of all the 32 in Mexico. The most famous being the one in San Juan (located only a few miles from Morelia, where the monarch sanctuary is at.)
      Thank you! I hope I can keep doing it. It feels awesome to share with everyone posts like these!

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  8. Absolutely stunning pictures! And you had me at zombies. Anxious to read your masterpiece!

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