Tangled, TikTok, and ways to find inspiration? Clearly, it’s been a fun week (or I’ve had too much coffee).
One of my new favorite authors, Christina Lauren (cool sidenote: she’s actually two people), has announced an adult contemporary romance reboot of my favorite Disney princess movie—Tangled. Tangled Up in You will be released next year (more deets here). What a fun place to find inspiration! Who doesn’t love at least one princess movie? After loving The True Love Experiment, I know that if anyone can do Tangled justice, it’s them (though, yes, I wish I’d had the idea first–Come on, brain!).
That got me thinking about where to find inspiration. Inspiration for my current work-in-progress (WIP) comes from an unlikely place—a children’s picture book called The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. Do you know it?
Here’s the gist of my WIP… A high school English teacher, Rowan dreams of home ownership the way other people dream of hitting the NYT Bestseller’s list (wink), and on a teacher’s salary, it’s nearly as difficult. When she finally gets her chance, she finds the perfect little house. But a botched marriage proposal and a run-in with some quirky neighbors give her second thoughts. Finding the treasured book The Little House, one of her childhood favorites, in the home she wants to buy inspires her to take a risk. But with the nosy neighbors and the obnoxious, man-baby writer living next door, will it be a good investment or a disaster?
Cool sidenote: The working title of my new manuscript is Yes, No, Maybe, planned for release next year.
You never know where one might find inspiration.
Like TikTok. In my quest to “put myself out there,” I’m dipping my toes in TikTok like an aquaphobe who doesn’t know how to swim. If you’re unfamiliar with TikTok, picture it this way… Whereas Instagram is a peaceful countryside with uplifting scenery and positive “outdoorsy” types, TikTok is a noisy city with music-blaring traffic, too many billboards, and artists on every corner. It’s a lot to take in, but that makes it an amazing place to find inspiration. So, if you’re a TikTok-er or, better yet, a BookTok-er, reach out, and let’s follow each other. And find me on Instagram (jessicasherry_books)
Other things that inspire me… Check out my awesome news.
- One Thing Better gets another stellar review! Fellow North Carolinian, avid reader, and blogger Carole writes, “…easily one of the best books I’ve read this year!” Check out her full review and her awesome website frommycarolinahome.com. Artful crafts, recipes, and book reviews, she has it all—you should sign up!
- One Thing Better releases on October 24! Preorder now to lock in the eBook launch price of $.99! That price won’t last long!
- The Delilah Duffy Mystery Series is getting a makeover! Our cover artist is hard at work creating a new look for my favorite amateur sleuth (I may be slightly biased). The big reveal is coming soon…
Other ways to find inspiration…
- Go to the movies… For the first time in years, Joe and I enjoyed a night out at the movies (this is what empty nesters do, I’m told) and saw A Haunting in Venice, Kenneth Branagh’s latest Agatha Christie adaptation (very adapted). As true Hercule Poirot fans, we’re thrilled that one of our favorite characters of all time is getting a reboot. A Haunting in Venice is dark, twisted, and a little scary (though not much like its predecessor, The Halloween Party). See it!
- Read a great book… Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is this week’s pick under books everyone should read. She has given me a new understanding of the world my mom and grandmother lived in, how things have changed, and how they haven’t. Read it before you see it—it will be a limited series on Apple TV starring Brie Larson and premiering October 13th. Yay—I get to do that thing where I talk Joe’s ears off by comparing the book to the show!!
- Have a beach night… One of the best ways to find inspiration is to get outside. Here’s a pre-tropical storm ocean pic from last night’s adventure.
And a Beach Cat…
Here’s a little more inspiration…
“Whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change – and change is what we’re chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others’ opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what YOU will change. And then get started.”
― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
Where do you find inspiration? Hit me back via email or comments on my website!
My WIP for next week’s news… Perhaps a word about serial killers and something fall… Have a great week!
Happy Fall, ya’ll!
Jessica
