Nobody Knows How It Works
The finicky nature of creative inspiration
Inspiration is such a finicky little creature, whispering mind-blowing ideas and disappearing for so long we wonder if we will ever hear from her again. There are some incredible books and podcasts and classes about creating, and yet and still – nobody knows how and when the imagination will spark. It’s a mystery, and that is the best and worst part of creative inspiration.
I’ve been thinking a lot about all of this as I dive into a new project and the truth that we can never know if we should forge along an idea’s path or not.
There is no right or wrong when it comes to creativity – there is only mystery and jumping off high cliffs.
I just returned from Arkansas where I spent an incredible few days on a run through the state for If All Arkansas Read the Same Book, and that one book was The Secret Book of Flora Lea. It was my first time in Arkansas and I visited from the north to the south to the middle, drove through the Ozarks and walked the Arkansas river path in Little Rock. Look where stories take me! And on the last stop, I was completely unaware that there was a sparkling river behind me as I spoke!
On the first day, three librarians and I visited the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art that had a special gallery with a traveling art show: Exquisite Creatures.
Mind blown. Heart Exploded.
Creativity and Biophilia — nature’s narrative in color and textures like I’ve never seen. And suddenly, magically, there I am again — totally inspired by the creative impulses of humanity. Just when I was a bit bleak about the whole situation, about nothing new in this world, BOOM!
Meanwhile, I have been editing and polishing off THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND and I am getting so excited to share more about it with you! There will be a photo travel journal, giveaways of the advance copies, and so much more!
So here I am, as usual, with some of the things that have inspired me this month, imploring you to check out Exquisite Creatures.
WHAT IS INSPIRING ME NOW
BOOK: : A Great Marriage by Frances Mayes. The author of Under the Tuscan Sun is 84 years old and will release this beautiful novel set in NC, DC, NYC, Palm Beach, and London. Talk about inspiring! I will be interviewing her on August 15th at the Charleston Library Society if you want to join us!
PODCAST: Writers and Company interviews Jackie Kay on using her imagination and how it saved her.
ART: Exquisite Creatures. I wrote all about it above, but I urge you to check it out and find the beauty of nature’s narrative in the images.
PLACE: Libraries across our country. I’m serious; they are working tirelessly behind the scenes. I’ve been on a four-day run through Arkansas on a tour organized by the Arkansas Center for the Book and the State Library, and it gave me a real idea of how librarians are at the front lines of our freedoms and our stories. Support yours when you can!
NEWS
Meanwhile, you can check out all my latest news right HERE! Including…
A recent TV appearance on Little Rock’s ARStyle to discuss The Secret Book of Flora Lea.
EVENTS
I have one remaining virtual event associated with the “If All Arkansas Read the Same Book” programming. On Thursday, August 8th I will be participating in a virtual “Gathering of the Book Clubs” hosted by The Arkansas Center for the Book at the Arkansas State Library. Details on this Zoom webinar HERE.
Always keep an eye on the EVENTS PAGE on my website for the latest news and visit the TOUR page on the Friends & Fiction website to see what fin group events we have planned together.
FRIENDS & FICTION
We are busy as ever over at Friends and Fiction!
Did you catch last week’s LIVE episode where we interviewed Jamie Brenner all about her new book, A Novel Summer? If you didn’t tune in live last Wednesday night, you can watch it now on our Facebook page and YouTube channel or listen on our podcast.
Coming up this week…
Join us on Wednesday, July 24th at 7pm ET to watch our next episode of The Friends & Fiction Show with Kristy Woodson Harvey and me interviewing the #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin to discuss her new novel, THE SUMMER PACT, in which a group of friends, in the wake of tragedy, make a pact that will cause them to reunite a decade later and embark upon on a life-changing adventure together. Watch the video broadcast as it airs on Wed 7/24 at 7pm ET on F&F’s Facebook & YouTube, and catch it on our podcast Fri 7/26.
Keep an eye on the EVENTS PAGE on my website so we can see each other whenever I’m out on the road.
For now, back to planning for the March 2025 release and book tour for The Story She Left Behind—and plotting the book after that!
That’s all for now, my friends.
Love,
PCH
ABOUT PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY
New York Times Bestselling Author and Podcast Host
Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Globe and Mail bestselling author of seventeen novels and a podcast host. She is the recipient of The Christy Award—A 2019 Winner "Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year for 2020; and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for 2019.
Patti is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly web show, podcast, and online community, Friends & Fiction.
A full-time author, mother of three, and grandmother of two, she lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama, with her husband, Pat Henry. Her newest novel, The Secret Book of Flora Lea, is set outside Oxford in the hamlet of Binsey and was released on May 2nd, 2023, by Atria (Simon & Schuster).
Be sure to follow Patti on social media and visit my website for the latest updates and announcements!
Sounds like you are having a lovely summer! A library in a shore town I visit had a book sale fundraiser recently. I was so excited to pick up a copy of The Lost Book of Flora Lea in great condition from one of the tables and support the library by doing so. Thank you for all you do to support the literacy community. Enjoy the rest of your summer!