Inspiration for SEE ME…
By Natalie-Nicole Bates
I did not begin as a writer.
For many years I was
simply a book lover who turned reviewer. About two years ago, I decided to
start writing my own novel. A year later, I was a happily published author of
two contemporary romances.
I was always fascinated by paranormal romance. But
as a reviewer, I watched the paranormal market literally explode. Vampires,
werewolves, shifters, even zombies were making appearances at an alarming rate.
Writers were writing these markets and writing well.
So what to do?
Inspiration came fast.
I am an avid collector of
Victorian-era photography. To me, there is much beauty in these old
photographs, and to my delight—much inspiration as well.
My first published paranormal short story, Antique Charming,
was centred on a cabinet card from 1896 of a man standing outside of a funeral
home.
Antique Charming was successful, but could I write a
paranormal that would be a longer length than Antique Charming?
Once again, I returned to my photographs. I had
recently bought a Carte de Visite (1860’s) of a beautiful little girl about age
3, her photo surrounded by a memorial wreath. In my mind, Baby Charlotte was
born.
SEE ME begins in 1896, where we meet sixteen year
old Charlotte. Charlotte always knew she was special, but never knew why. She believed
it all stemmed from a near drowning incident when she was three. An incident
her family members refused to speak of.
Her hunch comes true one day in 1896 during a lumber yard fire when her true powers reach fruition.
One very small photograph from the 1860’s suddenly
became one huge idea for a novella.
I then went in search of my Daniel Tremont, the hero
of SEE ME. Daniel’s inspiration is a magnificent 1860’s Daguerreotype of a
young man. The matt on this photograph is purple, which is usually the colour
of significance for mourning, which means this young man probably passed away
young.
He was perfect.
Sometimes what you know well can be a powerful ally.
In writing, this is so true. I took my love for Victorian photography and
turned it into a plot for a novella that combines romance, paranormal, and a
touch of my beloved horror.
I hope you will read SEE ME, now available at Leap of Faith Publishing. To view the photographs that inspired both SEE ME as well
as Antique Charming, visit my new blog Ghosts and Phantoms at: http://ghostsandphantoms.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter: BatesNatalie
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