nineteen-forties, and after years of trying for a baby, he died in a freak car accident. I hope she’s happy, and with him.
The council has put her bungalow up for auction. I think, perhaps, that Billy and I will put in a bid.
Origins
I have always loved to read about where an author found their ideas for stories – what inspired them to create. With the horror genre or even science fiction, this can require a giant ‘right step’ away from reality. For me, it could be when I read something or an event triggers me to think – but what if this happened instead?
Below I have listed each story, where they’ve been published, and where the ideas came from. Hope you enjoy the origins.
Being John
As you have probably guessed, this is auto-biographical – my only published story about my life. My world came down around me when my beloved father was diagnosed with cancer. What followed was the most surreal Christmas ever, as the adults hid the news from my two younger children, and my eldest son ended up being my support on forays to the hospital with my mother. My husband stayed behind with the younger two children, trying to spark some semblance of fun into the occasion.
Published December 2009 in Bits, Bobs and Baubles.
Wanted, Companion
This story was inspired by The Triffids by John Wyndham. Although my comets led to strange events and many stories, two of which are featured in this collection. On the surface, this is the age old tale of a vampire using a weak-minded human to aid where needed. But there is far more here. If you were homeless, unable to find work and alone, would you resist the suggestion of illicit activities for financial recompense? How strong would you be during a time of recession when nothing seems guaranteed?
Transformations
The second of my Wyndham inspired stories, this is about my childhood fantasies coming alive. I grew up desperately hoping my cat would morph into a human, that he did in fact change at night sometimes and watch me while I slept. I also decided (I was a precocious four-year-old with an imagination out of control) I was half cat – half human. This thought/belief/dream has never left me, and this story is a small outlet for my perpetual dream of felines-turned-human.
Published in the ABCtales Magazine, Issue 17.
Where Angels Sing
The origins of this story occurred when I was four, and I saw something I could not explain. Desperately ill, my parents rushed me to the hospital, and as they arrived, I lost consciousness and stopped breathing. At that moment, I saw everything below me, as if from a height many meters above. When I looked to see where my parents were taking me, I saw a crystal city, so beautiful I remember it clearly to this day. I fell back into this world when they stuffed a tube down my throat and drained my lungs (I had pneumonia). It could be I was simply suffering from lack of oxygen, it may be my memories have corrupted over the years, but the thought of an afterlife with that crystal city beckoning is not such a bad thing. This story takes that moment from my childhood and asks the question, ‘Is there somewhere else?’ And more importantly, ‘What do you have to do to get there?’
Won first place in Spintinglers August 2007 contest, also published in their 2009 anthology.
Published in Literary Magic e-zine Autumn 2007.
In the Closet
I am a vivid dreamer, and this story comes from one of those night time journeys when I travel into the odd world of my subconscious. I dreamt not of the ghost, but the part of the story not told here, the story of the woman who trapped a boyfriend when he wanted to leave.
Published in the UKAuthors 2008 anthology.
Mary Beth and Joe
Mary Beth and Joe explores abusive relationships and a man so nasty, he takes his revenge through into the afterworld.
Published in the UKAuthors 2007 anthology.
Naïve, Once Seventeen
I once read a sad article in a newspaper about a woman who, as a teenager, gave birth to a stillborn in secret and buried her baby in the park. Can you imagine how she felt at the time? I don’t think I can even scratch the surface of the place a young mother finds herself when in this position. But I tried and Naïve, Once Seventeen was the result.
Published in Secret Attic August 2007 edition.
The Girl That Could Fly
Another of my odd dreams, I thought this one worked better in reverse. I find it fascinating a demonic possession could be given by something as simple as a bite from an insect.
Published in Twisted Tongue Magazine, Issue 3.
Camilla
I found a Greek myth in an old reference book I own, and decided to update it and place the tale in a modern setting. The myth was about a young couple chased out of the city for the husband’s wrong doings. The wife dies, but the man escapes with his baby daughter in his arms. He comes to a sudden stop by a wide river with the mob not far behind. He calls to Diana to save his daughter, ties her to a spear and throws the baby over the river to Diana. The girl is saved and grows up to be fast and strong. I hope you find my updated version does the original justice.
Published in Capture Weekly, July 2006.
Motherly Love
This was written for a contest run by Stephen King. I saw the movie Poltergeist when I was far too young (at a friend’s house – isn’t it always the way) and slept for the next six months with the lights on – no joke – and the wardrobe doors removed, as they were far too similar to those in the movie where the giant tongue rolls out. Possession became a concept that could happen, and did happen to those unfortunate enough to stand in an evil spirit’s way. Motherly Love has elements of all of this, along with the theme of The Dome. At the time of writing I had not yet received the tome and took the idea of being trapped as my King influence.
Published by Static Movement, 2010
After the Storm
Inspired by a number of undone jobs around the house, After the Storm appeared.
Published by Voices from the Web, 2011-2012
Forgotten
In 2007 after weeks of rain, the Thames flooded. Our little village got a rough end of the deal, with half the roads and houses going underwater. This story came from that experience. Not included was the rash my daughter got after playing and swimming (without my knowledge) in stagnant water or the fun my youngest son had the day after the flood arrived as he waded up the high street, water well over the tops of his Wellington boots, catching goldfish as they swam by.
Published by Static Movement, Dec 2011
About the Author
Lisa C Hinsley’s career has been varied, working as an architectural technician, a pet sitter, a pharmacy supervisor and most recently a carer/companion for elderly ladies, all the while writing when she can. Born in Portsmouth in 1971, Lisa grew up in England, Scotland, and America. She now lives on the Wirral, in northwest England, with her husband, three children, four cats, and a dog.
You can find out more about her here:
www.lisahinsley.weebly.com.
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