I have been getting a lot of spammy comments on my Facebook Page lately about ‘Where do I get all my ideas’ from and ‘What inspired this?’
So, I thought I’d steal that and write an answer on my blog for the people who are actually interested and not just trying to sell me something!
I live not a million miles from Pendle Hill, in Lancashire. This is the site of a very famous case of witch fever from the 1600s. The family went on a walk near there recently.
Pendle is the ominous looking hill in the background! I have walked up it, it’s a steep one, but what do you expect from something called Hill Hill Hill (Pen Dul Hill is Hill in three different languages)
Anyway.
I’ve long been inspired by religious fervour, abuses of power and the supernatural. So gettign to explore this area, be inspired by it and live close by all helps keep the words flowing; even if the facts aren’t anything like the fiction.
I think the first book I read about a Witch Hunter was way back in school. It’s called Hellbane by Antony Esler. I don’t recall the hows or whys this book got into the house – I assumed it was a book that was borrowed from the library – but it’s always stuck with me for one reason or another. I have a copy of it, sitting on my little witchy bookshelf. I should probably give it a re-read! I think it’s more historical fiction than fantasy!
So another big influence for the Witch Hunter thing, is Warhammer Fantasy. Which I believe got its inspiration from Solomon Kane, the Puritan written by Robert E. Howard, the author and creator of Conan.
As for what inspires the individual stories about Elijah and Thrazo… that could be anything! A simple phrase overheard in passing could inspire an entire storyline.
The Witch Hunter’s Lie was inspired by a conversation I heard about a stolen Royal Mail Post Office uniform and how it had been used to steal a bunch of mail.
The Coven in The Witch Hunter’s Oath, was inspired by the visual elements in the horror film; Hellraiser!
Inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere, so long as we’re willing to listen and be open to it.
Until next time
J. L. Coulbeck.