Samael in images

When I wrote Samael, it played in front of my eyes, just as if I were watching a movie.  I could see each scene so clearly. I knew exactly what each character looked like, what they sounded like, what they smelled like.  And the same for the locations - each house, each field, each wood.  Part of the joy of reading a book is, to me, making one's own assocations; of putting one's own imagination to work.  And so I did wonder about making up a Pinterest board for Samael.
But, then again, I thought how much I'd love to see the inspiration behind some of my own favourite books.  Movies are never quite the same because so often the author is not part of the equation (though the Harry Potter series is an exception of course).
Anyhow, I have made the board (and also ones for the two sequels) so do take a look and tell me what you think.
In the meantime, a few of my favourite images...

This is how I imagine Tabitha...slowly emerging from ice, becoming more real as Gen moves towards her, away from her own mother...

Not quite Zeke, but not far off really...the body's there, and the tatts... Not too surprising that Gen feels a frisson, huh?

The sound of the violin echoes through Samael.  Both Samael and Zeke play exceedingly well - as they prove at their epic battle at the band's gig.

Something so poignant and macabre about this image.  All those lost children... dead childhood. Abandoned toys in Samael's chest. Who stole them?

So nearly Star.  Star's hair is usually neon pink - and she prefers Converse most of the time...but I'm sure she'd have a go at orange and DMs... And yeah, she really shouldn't smoke - it will wreck her skin and give her foul breath!

No picture of Samael?  Of course not. I know exactly how he looks.  But how you think he looks...well, I leave that to your imagination.  Some loves should never be pinned down and dissected too far. :-)

Summoning

I have to grasp my moment while everyone’s attention is elsewhere.  While the hubbub, the hullaballoo, rages, I can slip under the radar.  While the mob race around rejoicing, gloating, I can go deep undercover.  I can slip through the veils.

I have to perform the Rite.  Just as I always have/did/will do.  But first I must purify myself.

I slide away from the world.
I fast.
I meditate.
I pray.

I strip myself naked and scrub myself with salt.  I cleanse my body with water and anoint it with oils.

I make sacred the space.
I light the incense. 
I tone the sigils.
I trace the sigils.  On the floor.  In the air.  On my body. 

I summon Them.  To guard me as I work/worked/will work.

And They will come. They always came. They come.

They are here. 

And how terrible, how terrifying, how beautiful They are.

It starts…

From Tanit…

Where I write

I am endlessly fascinated by where writers write.  If I see a supplement or magazine feature about an author I will pore over the pics, trying to read the titles on the spines of the books; I'll check to see what kind of computer they use; what kind of desk, chair...  Do they have a view or face a wall?  I dunno, I'm just intrigued by the whole process of writing so it's of interest.

I am hugely lucky.  I have a positively ginormous study.  It was the old dining room of the house and I've had floor-to-ceiling bookshelves fitted on two walls.  Instead of a desk I use a large kitchen table - because I like to draw as well as write.  There's a squashy sofa in the window alcove with more bookshelves either side. 

I like to surround myself with things that inspire me, that intrigue me, that spark off stories and thought processes.  So I have a few tarot packs (from my extensive collection) around me, runes and the I Ching.  I listen to music when I write - my soundtrack for Samael is extensive and I keep an old-fashioned beatbox on my table as I still like physical CDs (unlike Gen with her iPod).  I burn candles when I write too - my absolute favourite is Aromatherapy Associates Relax.
Scent is hugely important too - and those Jo Malone bottles in the bottom left are to remind me of how my characters smell!

But, when it came to writing Samael, I didn't actually do it at this desk or even in this room that often.  The whole book was scribbled longhand into a series of black Moleskine notebooks (three, to be precise).  I wrote it all over the place - in bed, in the car, on the beach, in numerous cafes, curled up on the sofa, in the garden.  The first chapter was written on the train as I returned from lunch with my agent in London.
Each chunk would be typed up here though...and the edits will happen here too.

btw, for those who have asked, Samael is finished (well, first draft at least).  It's now gone out to editors so hopefully I'll have some good news for you soon.