By Donna Russo Morin
Like so much of life, the inspiration for my second book came to me when I was least looking for 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.
Tell me who inspires you and why and enter to win a copy of my latest release, THE SECRET OF THE GLASS.
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Leave a comment or question for Donna to enter to win THE SECRET OF THE GLASS. If you’re reading this post through a feed on Facebook, Goodreads, or another social network, please visit the comment trail at Muse Interrupted to be eligible for the draw.
To read Donna’s bio and the back cover blurb for THE SECRET OF THE GLASS, see yesterday’s post. To learn more about Donna and her books, check out her website.
What an awesome story. Thanks for sharing! I love how something as simple as a two minute news story can spark an entire novel idea and Venice is one of my favorite cities. Your research sounds fascinating and your joy is apparent!
I love the story behind your book. The passion you feel comes through in the blog, and I imagine it must come through even more in the book.
I’m inspired by one of my CPs. She’s fighting her seventh round of cancer, yet she rarely takes a day off from her full-time job, she spends time with her family, and she still writes. I never hear her whine. She’s my hero.
Oh! Hard question because so many people inspire me. My family who loves my writing even when it’s stinky (holding nose), My husband who continually encourages me (he better with four teenage boys under our roof), the writing community-who encourages me with reading their struggles and their understanding of what I am going through, my children who keep me grounded and remind me I am a mother first and for most!!
Hi Donna,
Intriguing muse food – love your premise. Also, amazing cover! I could hear your excitement about the glassmakers of Murano, their secret technique. This type of research interests me as well, but at the moment I’m into medieval political upheaval.
As for inspiration, there are so many amazing people who inspire me daily. One of the biggest who sadly is no longer with us, “Pope John Paul II.” Congratulations on the release of, “The Secret of the Glass,” and may you have every success!
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby
Romance Edged With Danger
Hi everyone, and welcome to Donna Russo Morin!
Donna, I love the story behind your book. I visited Venice while backpacking through Europe as a student. We couldn’t visit Murano, because of a strike with the boats that took you out there. There were a lot of strikes when I was in Italy, LOL.
Even though he’s no longer alive, my inspiration is my grandfather. He lived to 106.5, lived on his own until 105, squaredanced until 103, played horseshoes and Canadian bowling until 105, and went tandem skydiving – for the first time in his life – for his 100th birthday. He had a can-do attitude that can’t help but inspire me and probably will the rest of my life.
Hello everyone,
It’s wonderful to be here and wonderful to hear from you all. I love hearing these stories and wish I could write about all of them.
I was surprised myself Aimee, that something so short could trigger such a powerful response. I’ve learned to keep myself much more open since then; I believe there are as many inspirations in the little things that we see every day.
Edie, aren’t such people incredible? I know someone in a similar situation, and she takes my breath away. Whenever I think to whine or complain, I think of her.
Tonya, how blessed you are to have such an astounding support sytem. I couldn’t make it through some days without my two boys, almost 20 and 16 (Wow…four of them…bless you).
Thanks Diana. Wondeful inspiration.
Cindy, thank you again for having me here today. I remember your stories of grandfather and they made such an impression on me, that I’ve passed them along to others. The triumph of the human spirit never ceases to amaze me!
Your story sounds so interesting! Having been to Venice and seen the glass factories of Murano, I know the beauty that is there. Your interest in the history is what completely attracted me to this story of yours.
Who inspires me? Anytime I pick up a book and am absorbed in the story, that author inspires me to achieve the same magic. There is nothing more powerful than words in a sentence turned into emotions for a reader. To make someone laugh, cry or simply want to turn to the next page is an amazing accomplishment.
Much success with your book, Donna!
Thanks Robin. How I envy you your trip to Venice. It is at the very top of my travel wish list. I hope you brought home a piece of glass as a keepsake.
I am inspired my by 13 year old high functioning autistic son, who always reminds me about what is most important in life – family, love, health, laughter, and living truthfully according to your passions. It is he who is now inspiring me to finally write my first novel. (and he is writing a fantasty one himself!).
🙂
ChickLitAuthor, Thank you so much for sharing your inspiration with me. How wonderful to share your love of books and writing with your marvelous child. My very best to you both.
I would say that my daughter’s inspire me. My oldest daughter tried for seven years to get pregnant just to give birth at 23 weeks. She held up strong when they were giving us nothing but bad news before the birth and after she was born she held up wonderfully for 4 months until our little girl came home. My youngest daughter stood by her even though she has a 6 and 4 year old at home. Now she is expecting her third child and still manages to help me because I have severe RA and need help with shopping and doctor appointments. They are both wonderful women and I’m very proud of them. They inspire me every day.
Linda, your daughters get there strength from their mom. I too suffer from an auto immune disease, psoriatic arthritis. There are many days I couldn’t get by without my sons. Enjoy those babies!
Your book sounds cool – I’ll definitely keep my eyes peeled for it!
As for what inspires me, like you it’s the little tidbits I pick up in books, on tv and just in history in general. Though one of my mss came directly as the result of a dream about a woman who does NOT want to be rescued while imprisoned during the French Revolution…I had to find out why!
Hi Donna,
Your book sounds super intriguing! I’m looking forward to reading it. Thanks for sharing what inspired you. Now maybe I’ll start watching the news again =)
My first book was inspired by one friend’s dating story and another’s experience with fire.
Good luck with your book!
Thank you to everyone who dropped by – and thank you so much to Donna!
Aimee C. has won the copy of THE SECRET OF THE GLASS. Congratulations, Aimee! Please look for an email from me in your in-box.
My next guest is contemporary romance author Bonnie Edwards. Bonnie is giving away a copy of her first Blaze on March 9th. Please join us.