Learn How Can America’s National Parks Inspire Writing Ideas

Today I am delighted to welcome back Gayle M. Irwin, animal lover, appreciator of the outdoors and romance writer. 

Saguaro National Park America’s National Parks – An Epicenter for Writing Ideas

Many of America’s national parks are older than the agency that manages them. Congress established Yellowstone, the first national park not only in the United States but the world, in 1872; the National Park Service was created under the Department of Interior in 1916. Prior to the NPS, the U.S. Army managed Yellowstone, its lands, wildlife, and visitors.

The U.S. National Park Service celebrates its 105th anniversary this summer (created on August 25, 2016). Even before its creation, nearly 10 parks were set aside for the public enjoyment, protected from development in perpetuity. These included Yosemite and Sequoia in California; Mount Rainer in Washington; Wind Cave in South Dakota; and Mesa Verde in Colorado. These lands became protected because of their incredible landscape, wildlife, and cultural values.

Not only are lands in the West set aside for the public’s enjoyment and education, but other special places, such as Revolutionary and Civil War battlefields and iconic monuments such as George Washington’s birthplace and the numerous monuments in Washington, DC, are found in the Eastern United States. These unique places and spaces offer innumerable opportunities for writing, whether nonfiction or fiction.

Wild Horses, WyomingNational Parks and Romance Writing

I recently discovered a romance author who weaves national parks into her books. Karen Barnett writes vintage national park love stories, including a book based in Yellowstone. Additionally, Janet Fox wrote a young adult historical romance with a setting in Yellowstone called Faithful. I’ve enjoyed these author’s works and recommend them if you’re drawn to America’s national parks and romance stories.

The Wyoming Arts Council, a non-profit arts organization in my state, annually offers a creative writing and journalism fellowship for a writer who demonstrates “series inquiry and dedication to the Great Yellowstone region through their work.” I applied one year but was not the recipient. I hope to try again in the future.

I did, however, have a story accepted in an edition of Chicken Soup for the Soul about the parks. Titled “National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” the story appears in the compilation The Spirit of America. The book was published in 2016, the centennial of the U.S. Park Service. I believe America’s national parks are jewels, and we are fortunate to have these treasures. Whenever I visit a national park, monument, historic site, forest, or other public land, I find inspiration, and I experience joy.

Whether viewing wild horses on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, observing waterfalls along the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone, walking a battleground where soldiers and others laid down their lives for freedom, or hearing elk bugle in a national forest, I am moved. My soul stirs and my heart bursts with gratitude.

These are some of the reasons I set my sweet, contemporary romance novels and novellas near national parks. Whether it’s my first novel, Rescue Road set in the Yellowstone area or the prequel, Rhiann’s Rescue with its (primarily) Arizona location, readers find reference to these special landscapes.

The prequel to my Pet Rescue Romance series, Rhiann’s Rescue, takes place in Washington, Idaho, and Arizona (which is the primary location). In the story, my major female character, Rhiann, travels with rescue dogs between Flagstaff and Cave Creek (near Phoenix) and between there and Tucson, placing her close to Grand Canyon and Saguaro national parks. I’ve visited to both places, and I love the scenery at each, from the deep crevice that is the Grand Canyon with its multiple colorful rock layers to the towering spiny-armed cactus found in the southern regions of Arizona. Grand Canyon became a national park in 1919, and in 1994, Congress elevated the status of Saguaro from a national monument (created in 1933) to a national park.

As summer unfolds and travel beckons, I hope you’ll take time to enjoy some of the numerous national parks, forests, monuments, and other public lands throughout the U.S.

Happy trails – and don’t forget to take a book along for the ride! 

Rhiann’s Rescue – A Sweet Contemporary Pet Rescue Romance Prequel

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Is the man worth the risk?

Rhiann Kelly dreams of starting an animal rescue sanctuary, and her beloved grandmother desires to see her achieve that dream. However, they don’t agree on when or where. Because of her Grams’ health, Rhiann thinks they should stay near large cities; Grams wants to return to Montana, where she was born and raised. The two also clash over Rhiann’s reluctance to date; her writing career and caregiving duties take priority in her life. Can the two resolve these conflicts during their annual trip to Arizona? Will the beauty of the landscape and spirit of the culture result in a change of heart for Rhiann, especially after she signs a book deal, meets nature photographer and art gallery owner Elias Griffin, and helps his mother adopt a dog? Is she willing to risk heartbreak again?

Excerpt from Rhiann’s Rescue

Elias stopped walking and looked at her. “Book? I don’t think you told me about that.”

“Oh, maybe not. I hadn’t received a firm commitment from the editor until yesterday, and with helping your mom with Holly today, I just tucked it away.” She smiled. “I’m writing a book about the rescue work I’ve been doing, especially highlighting working with reservation dogs, here and up north. I meet with the publisher and editor on Friday.”

“That’s wonderful, Rhiann! Congratulations!”

“Thanks. I’m pretty excited.”

Elias grasped her forearms. “You should be.” He searched her face. “You’re quite a woman, you know that? Freelance writer, dog rescuer, caregiver, book author … I’ve become very taken with you, Rhiann.”

He searched her face.  “I know what you said about dating, about romantic involvement, but I really want to kiss you right now.”

Her eyes locked onto his, and a moment of silence passed between them. A small smile came to Rhiann’s face, and she said, “Nothing says friends can’t share a kiss.”

She leaned her face closer to his and closed her eyes. Her heart pounded in anticipation, and when Elias’ lips closed over hers gently, Rhiann savored the bliss. Their lips parted, and her smile widened. She felt Elias’ hand upon her cheek, and she opened her eyes. He was studying her face.

“I hope you change your mind about just being friends, Rhiann,” he said in a soft voice.

“Perhaps … perhaps I can … I can at least think about it,” she responded quietly.

He leaned down and brushed his lips against her cheek. “Let me try to persuade you,” he whispered.

His mouth captured hers with passion. Surprised by his sudden move, Rhiann attempted to step away. However, desire rose, and she closed her eyes. As she allowed her lips to dance with his, she delighted in emotions she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in many years. She wrapped her arms around his neck. A moan escaped from Elias, and he deepened the kiss. Rhiann relished the senses he’d awakened and that she recognized from him.

Elias pulled away, a bit breathless. He lay his forehead against hers.

“I take it we mean more to each other than friends?”

Rhiann smiled. “Friendship is a good place to start … but this is good, too.”

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Meet Gayle

Gayle M. Irwin is an award-winning author and freelance writer, being recognized by Wyoming Writers, Inc., and the Wyoming Press Association for several of her works. She is a contributor to seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books and the author of many inspirational pet books and stories for children and adults. Her sweet, contemporary romance series, Pet Rescue Romance, consists of Rhiann’s Rescue, Rescue Road, My Montana Love, and Finding Love at Compassion Ranch. Gayle volunteers for various dog rescue and humane society organizations and donates a percentage of all book sales to such groups. Learn more about her and her writing and follow her bi-monthly blog on her website: https://gaylemirwinauthor.com/.

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See Gayles earlier visit to Maddy’s Romance Madness “My Montana Love”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2 Comments

  1. Thanks for hosting me again, Maddy! I recently spent several days in beautiful Montana — even saw 2 bighorn sheep moms with babies!! I so enjoy nature, and I will likely use that scene of the rocky cliffs near the river and the sheep in an upcoming book!

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