Inspiration at the Airport

Since I’ve been writing my children’s fantasy novel, I’ve become aware of the several sources of inspiration that I’ve used in my work. I’ve incorporated everything from childhood experiences, to overheard conversations, to a newspaper story.

What I didn’t expect was how much inspiration I’d get at the airport! Last night, while waiting for my husband to return from his third trip to Iceland, I couldn’t help taking out my trusty notebook and jotting down a few observations.

If you are ever feeling down and want an uplifting experience, just hang out for a bit at the International Arrivals Gate at the airport. I was completely caught up with the excitement and anticipation of people waiting for their loved ones…and sometimes, people they’ve never met.

Three kids ran across the entryway yelling, “Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!” while waving colored drawings. There was a teenage boy temporarily babysitting a toddler from the end of a baby harness. He followed her around sipping on a large iced coffee as she became mesmerized by the visual art in motion. A middle-aged man carried a bouquet of roses as he paced back and forth, waiting for his love to arrive.

As I stood behind the barricade, joyously feeling the love and excitement that surrounded me, I thought of ways to weave their happy stories into my book.

Suddenly, I realized that I was bouncing on the balls of my feet like a happy child, greeting all those travelers I didn’t know.