I’m back in Glendalough, where the idea for my fantasy novel was born. A year ago, I was walking along the ancient pilgrim paths here, and my imagination just ran wild. What if the old stories about saints and miracles were all true? What if the forests hid elves, wild beasts, and unseen magic?

That spark turned into the book I’m now finishing. Being here again, surrounded by lakes and monastic ruins, I feel why I wanted to write this story in the first place. Because stories have always been the oldest form of magic I know. They transform how we see the world, lift us out of our everyday struggles, and connect us to something bigger.

In this episode, I share:

The moment this book idea came to life.

How the history and legends of Glendalough shaped my story.

Why I think stories themselves are a form of real magic.

If you’ve ever wondered where ideas come from or how places can feed your creativity, you’ll want to hear this one.