Chantress: Touchstone Images
Like many writers, I see my story in pictures—sometimes just a snapshot, other times a whole scene. Most of these images exist in my mind’s eye alone, but sometimes when I’m browsing through books or galleries or the Internet, I’ll see something that’s like a dream or a memory of the world I’ve dreamed up. The very best of these images become touchstones: They help me see my story and its world more clearly.
I thought it would be fun to share some of the touchstone images for my YA historical fantasy Chantress-- a story about a girl who sings magic in world that forbids it.
Chantress starts on a lonely Atlantic island with Lucy Marlowe, the survivor of a shipwreck that she cannot remember, a girl growing up by the edge of the sea. I think of her every time I look at this gorgeous painting of Miranda from The Tempest by John William Waterhouse. Lucy’s hair is dark, and her clothes are from the 1660s, but it’s the mood of this painting that pulls me in. (So romantic, those Pre-Raphaelites!)
(Credit: Wikimedia Commons via Wikihttp://upload.wikimedia.
The sea is everywhere for Lucy, and it’s where the magic begins. Forbidden to sing, she’s lived a life without music, until one afternoon she hears an eerie melody on the wind—“the barest edge of a tune, almost as if the sea itself were singing..."
(Credit: Elsie esq. via http://www.flickr.com/photos/
When Lucy breaks the rules and sings the song, it takes her to London—where she nearly falls prey to the Lord Protector and his soul-stealing Shadowgrims. The Shadowgrims hold the kingdom in terror, and sunset is their witching hour.
(Credit: London Skyline by Tom Soper Photography via http://www.flickr.com/photos/
There are clockmakers in the book…
Credit: Gear Work 2 by Curious Expeditions (via http://www.flickr.com/photos/
..and secret passages…
(Credit: amanderson2 (via http://www.flickr.com/photos/
…an ancient grimoire…
(Credit: rosfirerising via http://www.flickr.com/photos/
…and a fierce spy on a secret mission.
(Credit: erix! via http://www.flickr.com/photos/
The fearsome fire of the Shadowgrims haunts Lucy as she tries to master her magic…
.. and when she attacks the Lord Protector in his most formidable stronghold, the Tower of London.
Amy Butler Greenfield
http://www.amybutlergreenfield.com
@ab_greenfield
CHANTRESS (McElderry/S&S, May 2013)
"…a beautiful love story, a harrowing mystery." – Mary Pearson, The Adoration of Jenna Fox
"I simply loved it. A delicious journey…” – Cinda Williams Chima, The Demon King
"CHANTRESS is truly enchanting." — Jessica Spotswood, Born Wicked
1 comment:
Hello! Cute blog! I was redirected by Kristi over at the Story Siren, and she said you were going to taking over IMM. Well, I came here a month ago too and it wasn't up. Are you still doing it??
Thank you!
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