How An 80s TV Show Inspired My Latest Book!

Approximate reading time: 1 and ½ minutes

One of my favourite 80s TV shows starred Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman, and even if you’ve never seen it, the title will give away the premise: Beauty and the Beast.
 
Though I hadn’t seen the series in years, I remembered how much I’d disliked the final season. So, when I was given the complete three seasons as a Christmas gift, I decided to re-watch it and see if my opinion was the same.
 
It was.
 
I came away from it with a single looping thought. I wouldn’t have ended it that way. Of course, that is an imagination-inducing thought for any writer! As you would expect, it led to the inevitable “How would I have finished it?”.
 
The more I thought about it, the more an idea for my own variation on the tale formed. I scribbled a few notes, thinking it was going to be a story for my eyes only, to satisfy my disappointment.
 
However, I soon received signs that told me differently . . .
 
A month into writing it, Sarah at Opium House Designs displayed the gorgeous cover that now wraps itself around BEAUTIFUL. It pulled on my heart and I knew it belonged to me, or more accurately, my book.
 
Then, there were all the unbidden conversations people started having with me about the different versions of Beauty and the Beast. I listened to the things they said they loved and hated. I was stunned to discover that I had included all the beloved parts (i.e. gentle romance, elements of darkness/danger, magic) and none of the despised (i.e. toxic/abusive behaviour).
 
Next, in a reading group I belong to, someone said, “You know what I’m in the mood for? A good Beauty and the Beast retelling”. After the shock wore off, I knew I had to release BEAUTIFUL.
 
Readers often ask writers where they get their ideas. As you can see, they can come from anywhere, including a favourite old TV show!
 
If you would like to know more about BEAUTIFUL, you can check it out here: link/photo.
 
Yours in love and Beauty and the Beast retellings,
 
A.K. Leigh xxoo
Fall in love . . . with Leigh!

Question: Do you enjoy retellings? Let me know in the comments below.