I had a lot of fun writing the Story Inspiration pages for my books and then sharing them here…

Choosing Bravery

Between Heaven & Hell 

Adella’s Enemy

Following Faith 

Between Love & Lies

Between Home & Heartbreak

But now it’s time for one final Story Inspiration page. This one is from my most recent release, The Calling Birds: the Fourth Day (part of the Twelve Days of Christmas Mail-Order Brides series).

THE CALLING BIRDS – STORY INSPIRATION PAGE 

When asked, which day of Christmas would you like to write? I immediately chose The Fourth Day because with the title The Calling Birds, I could use the name Jack Peregrine. His name was inspired by Inspector Jack Robinson from the Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries novels & TV series and the Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children novel & movie. Jack and then Birdie’s names came to me lightning quick, and might not have worked as well in more specifically titled 12 days stories such as the Hens, Doves, Geese, or Swans.

So, I chose the more generic title and then, as seems to be my nature, I became really specific. Peregrines’ Post and Freight had to be the plural because it’s a family-run business. The word “post” had to come before “freight” because when shortened to Peregrines’ Post, it stood for not only a postal office but a post on which a bird might rest AND a place to make a final stand – while trying to keep a business alive and a family together.

Next, I decided I needed four birds to form my family because it’s The Fourth Day, after all. Jack’s brother, Max, and Grandpa Gus came to life. Now I cannot imagine The Calling Birds without Gus. Jack and Gus’ banter was inspired by my relationship with my mom. She was great fun but also incredibly stubborn (to the point where I’d worry for her safety). It became our running joke where I’d call her determined, but I meant stubborn – and she knew it. She was never absentminded. That feature is mine but, like Gus, I’d rather find ways to get around my shortcomings instead of dwelling on them.

MORE INSPIRATION TO COME

• CLICK HERE if you’d like to read the opening of The Calling Birds on my website
• Find The Calling Birds on Amazon US | CA | UK | Aus
• Read the eBook for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited subscription

I hope you enjoyed learning more about what inspired me to write Birdie and Jack’s story. Join me again next Monday when…well I don’t know. Since I’ve now shared all of my Story Inspiration pages (so far), I’ll have to dream up something new to share  ❤

UPDATE: To read the Story Inspiration Pages for my other stories (I wrote more), click here.