Wattpad brings you a guest post from Natalie Wright, author of Emily’s House: Book 1 of the Akasha Chronicles:
Do you believe in magic?
What is magic?
To me, magic is about getting what I want, despite the odds against it. Maybe that’s why magic appeals to children and young people. When we’re young, just about every aspect of our life is beyond our control. And we think, “If only I had magic, I’d get what I want.”
Magic is a popular fantasy for adults too. Even when we “grow up”, our lives often feel out of our control. We need look no further than the worldwide popularity of Harry Potter for proof of our nearly universal thirst for magic.
But what if magic isn’t fantasy? What if magic is real?
I offer you an experience of my own to consider as you ponder whether magic is, in fact, “real”.
It was late August, 2010. I’d driven four hours to Las Cruces, New Mexico on a self-imposed exile to finish the first draft of the manuscript that would become Emily’s House.
In Emily’s House, the young protagonist Emily learns that she is the descendant of Saorla, the last High Priestess of the Order of Brighid. Emily’s quest to learn of her heritage – and her power – takes her to Ireland.
I’m not Irish. I’d never been to Ireland. I’d scoured books and internet articles about Ireland. But I had no real life experience from which to draw while writing about Ireland.
On my return trip from Las Cruces, the first draft done (woot, woot!), all I could think was that I had to go to Ireland. I couldn’t finish the story without going to the place that is at the heart of the story.
I spent the entire drive thinking about Ireland. I didn’t think about how I’d get there. Instead, I thought about why I wanted to go.
This is the first step in magic. You must create a clear, specific, concise asking.
The next step is, I think, the hardest. You have to believe.
I can’t explain why I believed I’d go to Ireland. All external signs indicated that it was a pipe dream. I didn’t have the time, the funds, or someone to watch my kid.
Yet I believed anyway. Trust me when I say that this belief, despite reason and logic, was unusual for me at that point in my life.
I drove home on a Sunday. On Monday, I was in my car running errands. I turned on XM Radio and I caught the tail end of an announcement, “ … the last day to enter for a trip for two to Dublin, Ireland …”
I didn’t hear the rest. I felt as if that announcer was talking to me. I know that sounds crazy, but in my mind, it was like she said, “You, Natalie Wright, this is for you. Go enter.”
I did. One time. No need to plead and beg when you believe. When you believe, one entry is all you need.
That was on a Monday. On Wednesday, the phone rang. The caller ID said, “Sony/XM Radio.” Could it be?
“You won!” the voice on the phone said. Within ten days, my husband and I were on a plane to Dublin. Everything fell into place easily. Funds, time, babysitter.
While in Ireland (which is phenomenal), I got to visit all of the historical sites that I’d written about in the book. The experience of going there enriched the story. To see the airport (where Emily and her friends arrive), walk the streets, eat the food, smell the odors (wet leaves and cow pies!).
The stone walls of Ireland. Monasterboice, County Louth
Some may say, “It’s a coincidence.” Others call it “luck.”
I call it magic and it’s real.
Just ask Emily Adams.
Do you have stories of real magic in your life? I’d love to hear them.
Chat with me on Wattpad or Twitter.
You can find Emily’s House at: Wattpad, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, iBookstore.