Author Blog

Where do stories come from?

Memory, past lives, what we call our gut or a hunch — are they built into our DNA?

Diliny M. De Alwis

18 Apr 2024 — 3 min read

Staircase at Yapahuwa, Sri Lanka https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yapahuwa#/media/File:Yapahuwa_Staricase_2_cdm.jpg

Where do stories come from?

In my mind, the imagery is born of a life living between two worlds: Canada and Sri Lanka. I will always be an invisible outsider visiting Sri Lanka with a Canadian perspective.

Yet, something in my gut resonates with its exotic and strange pre-colonial history. I’ve grown obsessed with understanding my culture, which sprouted from its legend of being the Isle of Demons, fertilized liberally with Buddhism and influence from the Indian subcontinent.

How did Sri Lanka remain stubbornly independent of external influence for SO LONG?

Scene and setting

I’ve visited rock temples and deserted stone bridges. I’ve seen the jungle and muddy rivers snaking through the green countryside. I’ve seen the paddy fields. Yet, when I envision a scene for my series set in ancient Lanka, somehow — I am carried there.

The photos of places such as Sankapala Mahavihara and Yapahuwa strike a deep chord.

How can I see around the corner when it’s not photographed? Am I channelling some energy that runs deeper within my genetic makeup?

Culture

My hunch was to have an orphan sent to a random village estate to be raised in a collective (unfinished book 4). Researching historical records, I discovered that those shipwrecked on Lanka’s shores were randomly placed in villages in 1s and 2s (Robert Knox’s experience, source).

Is this some knowledge overheard, or did I instinctively feel this is what would be done in a predominantly Buddhist culture?

Genre

This week I’ve struggled with my YA Fantasy series. For one, I’m wondering how much demonic possession belongs more in horror and whether or not the story I’ve written could be considered historic. I’m doing the research but making up huge swathes of details. I don’t know names, faces, places. It’s all based on recorded folklore.

**Excerpt** **from the Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Volume 4, Colombo Apothecaries Company, Published in 1866 (an actual book recording the tellings of villagers)**

I’m purposely going ancient—pre-500 BCE. There is no sign of Mahasona (admittedly terrifying)—not yet. But if you’d like a taste, Prasanna Srinath Subhasinghe has weaved a great tale.

Demand

I’ve also started the query process for my first novel, a precursor based in the Indian subcontinent. Perhaps I made a mistake and should have started here. Definitely, the second book of the series has more draw and pull.

More later.

-D.M. De Alwis