Readers need that sense of inspiration to pick up a book, whether it’s the cover, the blurb, or the author themselves, something grabs the reader and makes them need to read the story. For me, writing is the same…I must be inspired by my story, I must feel the need to know it, before I can write it.
I had always been a fan of Katie Couric through the many years she worked on the Today Show. So when she was appointed as the anchor of the CBS Evening News, I tuned in despite my typical aversion to television news programs, feeling a sense of camaraderie and sisterhood for a woman trying to break boundaries. How could I know that just a few weeks into her tenure, a two minute story would provide me incredible fodder for my second book?
It was a feature story about the glassmakers of Murano. While other countries were vainly attempting to imitate the artistry of the centuries old craft, few had come close to revealing the secret of the glass—the particular formula that made Murano glass so exceptional. Laced throughout the story were snippets of Murano glassmaking history. One point in particular caught and captured my imagination: for hundreds of years the glassmakers of Venice were virtual prisoners in their own land, captives of their government, a powerful republic determined to keep the prestige and the profit produced by the glass for themselves.
The percussion of inspiration in my mind was as loud as a foghorn blast in the middle of starkly still night. Within a half hour of viewing the story, I had a two page synopsis written, a complete plot mapped out about a young Murano woman who must somehow save herself while protecting the ‘secret of the glass,’ a phrase that would become the title of my second book.
Other than what I had gleaned from the news, I knew little of Venetian history and that of the glassmakers, though I was enthusiastic to begin my research. Always a favorite part of the process for me, the subject matter would also take me to the land of my ancestors (of full Italian descent, I am but a second generation American as proud of the land of my antecedents as I am of my homeland). Having spent the previous year researching France for work on my first book (The Courtier’s Secret, Kensington, Feb. 09), I couldn’t wait for my time in Venice.
And there, between the pages that brought the old world to life, I found Galileo. I was unaware of how much time he had spent in the magical city, unaware how prominently the land figured into his story and he in Venice’s. I was astounded when I learned that, like myself, the professor suffered from a chronic illness. The more I read, the more sure I became that, had the astronomer been privy to modern day medicine, his diagnosis would have been auto-immune, like my own. I found kinship in his tale of determination, one echoed in the story of the land itself and the people that had made it so unique.
It became a daily thrill to tell their story, to give breath to these marvelous characters. On every page are the words their inspiration gave to me.
I had always been a fan of Katie Couric through the many years she worked on the Today Show. So when she was appointed as the anchor of the CBS Evening News, I tuned in despite my typical aversion to television news programs, feeling a sense of camaraderie and sisterhood for a woman trying to break boundaries. How could I know that just a few weeks into her tenure, a two minute story would provide me incredible fodder for my second book?
It was a feature story about the glassmakers of Murano. While other countries were vainly attempting to imitate the artistry of the centuries old craft, few had come close to revealing the secret of the glass—the particular formula that made Murano glass so exceptional. Laced throughout the story were snippets of Murano glassmaking history. One point in particular caught and captured my imagination: for hundreds of years the glassmakers of Venice were virtual prisoners in their own land, captives of their government, a powerful republic determined to keep the prestige and the profit produced by the glass for themselves.
The percussion of inspiration in my mind was as loud as a foghorn blast in the middle of starkly still night. Within a half hour of viewing the story, I had a two page synopsis written, a complete plot mapped out about a young Murano woman who must somehow save herself while protecting the ‘secret of the glass,’ a phrase that would become the title of my second book.
Other than what I had gleaned from the news, I knew little of Venetian history and that of the glassmakers, though I was enthusiastic to begin my research. Always a favorite part of the process for me, the subject matter would also take me to the land of my ancestors (of full Italian descent, I am but a second generation American as proud of the land of my antecedents as I am of my homeland). Having spent the previous year researching France for work on my first book (The Courtier’s Secret, Kensington, Feb. 09), I couldn’t wait for my time in Venice.
And there, between the pages that brought the old world to life, I found Galileo. I was unaware of how much time he had spent in the magical city, unaware how prominently the land figured into his story and he in Venice’s. I was astounded when I learned that, like myself, the professor suffered from a chronic illness. The more I read, the more sure I became that, had the astronomer been privy to modern day medicine, his diagnosis would have been auto-immune, like my own. I found kinship in his tale of determination, one echoed in the story of the land itself and the people that had made it so unique.
It became a daily thrill to tell their story, to give breath to these marvelous characters. On every page are the words their inspiration gave to me.
The Secret of The glass
By Donna Russo Morin
If you'd like to win a copy of The Secret of the Glass then just leave a comment and be a follower of this blog. Winner will be announced in 2 weeks.
40 comments:
Great post! I love hearing from authors and the book sounds especially captivating.
Thank you for another great post in this series. I have truly enjoyed them all.
Please enter me.
kaiminani at gmail dot com
If the giveaway it's international, than sign me up :)
I'm already a follower :)
Interesting tie-in with Katie Couric - I'm also a fan of hers, wish she was still on Today. I would love to win this book.
And I follow your blog via Google Reader.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds interesting. I'd really love to read it.
I'm a follower.
forwhlz at gmail dot com
This book sounds wonderful!
Thank you for the entry!
Wendy
wendysfictionaddiction(at)gmail(dot)com
I'd love a chance to win a copy.
I'm a follower.
quirion (at)me.com
Jennifer@Mrs. Q: Book Addict
http://web.me.com/quirion
This book sounds fasinating. I really want to read it. I also love Murano Glass, so beautiful. I loved the way the concept of this book began, by watching the news. You can learn a lot of nice things and interesting history facts on the news along with the bad and sad.
The review was awesome. Thanks for the opportunity to enter contest.
I am follower via GFC
I am subscriber via email
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
Same with me, if it is open to all then I am in :)
blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com
This book sure sounds good, glass, have not been that interested in it, but I do like a book that can make something I have never thought about fascinating
This looks great! Please enter me!
I'm a follower.
BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com
wow. I love how she started writing it. That's how a lot of my research starts. I learn a little something and end up delving deep into a new subject. I follow you. please enter me in the contest.
freedom_turtle AT hotmail DOT com
Looks great!.if its international- Australia,
enter me please =). I already Follow.
bianca.riot.08(at)hotmail(dot)com
Sounds great. I love historical fiction and don't think I've ever read one set in Venice.
follower
alterlisa AT yahoo Dot com
I love how a chance comment started this book and how you got your inspiration to write this.
Thank you for the giveaway and yes I am a follower. Please count me in.
mystica123athotmaildotcom
That was a great post and I enjoyed reading it. I love historical fiction and would love to be entered in this giveaway.
I am a follower.
icewoman96 at gmail dot com
I love this kind of story. Please enter me too!!!
I'm a follower on GFC.
mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net
Please enter me, I'd LOVE to win this. I am a follower.
Thanks,
Kelsey
krae991@yahoo.com
This ounds like an interesting book! Please enter me for it.
I am a follower on google friend
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Just goes to show ideas can come from anywhere !
I often find that when I enjoy a book it is because the author has bothered to really research the subject they are writing about.
Please enter me in the giveaway.
I am a Follower.
Carol
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
Awesome post and review please enter me in the drawing i am follower a well
Sounds very interesting, I'd like to read it. Thanks for the chance.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
This sounds great! I'd love to win! Thanks!
This sounds like a fabulous premise for a story. I am always fascinated by the research that an author does to bring their story to life. The research, the knowledge gained is amazing.
I would love to win a copy.
ibeeeg(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like a great story!
Please count me in :=
This sounds like a lovely read! Thanks for the chance to win!
Interesting topic. Amazing what you can learn here in bloggerville, please enter me I am a follower...
momkelly2003@yahoo.com
Thank you!!
Great giveaway. Please count me in.
nocas82[at]gmail[dot]com
Great post, I always like to read more about authors, so I see the person behind the book :-)
Please enter me in the contest,
stella.exlibris (at) gmail DOT com
Wonderful post! This sounds like a very interesting read!
notreallysouthernvampchick(at)gmail(dot)com
I first heard of Murano Glass from my neighbor when she was showing me the items that she had brought back from her trip home to Italy. She actually grew up near where the Murano Glass is made. Based on the stories that she has shared with me, I would really love to read this book.
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
I forgot to mention that I am a follower of this blog. I am unsure as to whether this should be a separate entry or not.
I'd love to read this - thank you! I'm a follower --
teabird17 AT yahoodotcom
Thanks for the opportunity! I'm a follower on bloglines.
Laura
Keyes97 (at) aol (dot) com
I follow through Google Reader. Thank you!
sliugarcia@gmail.com
I love hearing about what inspires an author. Such an unusual story! Thank you for sharing it.
I look forward to reading the book. It's on my list.
Oregon Kimm
oregonkimm(at)gmail(dot)com
Please enter me in this giveaway!
I'm a follower.
saemmerson at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
I'd love to read this book! I've always admired the beautiful glass that comes from the Murano glass company in Venice. Thanks for the opportunity!
I follow in GFC
I follow with Google Friend Connect, and I'd love to read this book. I love Venice.
wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com
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