Lynette McClenaghan writes traditional Gothic fiction and has published novels and novellas on Kindle and Amazon.
Where do you get ideas for stories?
Characters are based on people I know or people I meet. A conversation or a real experience might be the spark for a story. Ideas might originate from news items, historical events or even song lyrics. Sometimes a story outline emerges almost whole from a dream. [For ideas,] reflect on your outlook on life, your beliefs and ideals, what you are passionate about, what you are angry about – even your political views. For example, Charles Dickens was passionate about social reform and the pride of the poor; Raymond Chandler brought to light the corruption and violence at the heart of the American Dream. More recently, Amy Whiting in I for Isobel exposed the suffering and lack of opportunity for women in the 1950s. A genre fiction writer such as Stephen King writes powerfully about the abuses of power, particularly against children. The work of artists, poets, musicians and writers in some way reflects their views and values.
I take a misanthropic view of humanity and see the world in darker shades. Within that area of traditional Gothic, my work features stories of possession, struggle against evil forces, human weakness and vulnerability: an irrational universe and family dystopia. Gothic fiction tackles the big philosophical questions, such as the nature of identity, consciousness, morality, injustice, cruelty and powerlessness, good and evil, responsibility. Our fears play out on the pages and onscreen and we can be transformed by the experience. The horror and fright encountered in safe settings remind us of our vulnerability and ultimately our humanity.
How do you get started?
There is no formula but you will benefit from:
- Creating a timetable to write
- Drafting out a story board
- Creating a plan or template to flesh out your story structure or any piece of writing
- Committing to professional reading and research
- Attending workshops to assist you with the distinct processes involved in writing and publishing a completed work of fiction or non-fiction.
Writing is largely a solitary endeavour. Even for something small, like a report, you need to have the discipline to stay focused for a substantial amount of time, and to be comfortable with your own company and your capacity to deal with roadblocks, frustration and false starts.