Signs from Above

When I am working on a project, I find the names of my characters popping out at me from unexpected places. Like most authors, I imagine, I've taken inspiration from my environment, but when the environment seems to be inspired by my writing, it's a little unsettling...but really cool.

For instance, I've been working on revising Asylum. The main character's name is Trista. So I walked through Target's toy section the other day with my kids and saw this...

Interesting, huh? It gets better. Her last name is Carlisle. At a restaurant not long ago, I received this...

It happens all the time. I took a picture of a ride at Chuck E Cheese one night because it was called the JettRider. Yup, two of my characters from Poison and Fusion (and Reconciled, if I ever get the blasted book written...) I was even reading a book for work a few days ago and came across this...

Yeah, that would be Jett and Rider's last name. And a handful of others.

I love when I see stuff like this, though. It feels like confirmation. Validation of what I'm doing. Like the universe agrees with it and wants to cheer me on. Sure, I know I'm bonkers because that's just not how things work. But I hold onto these magical moments anyway. They keep me going.