Famous Irish writer Darren Shan reveals Mitchelstown inspiration
AN Irish best selling author whose books have sold millions of copies around the world, has revealed that the inspiration for one of his best loved books came after an impromptu visit to Mitchelstown Caves.
In a post on his official Facebook page, Darren Shan has revealed that the inspiration for ‘Bec’, the fourth book in ‘ The Demonata series’, came after he and his then girlfiend visited the Mitchelstown Caves back in 2002.
Darren says that it was on a random visit with Bas to the Mitchelstown Caves on a wet and rainy day, that the seed for for ‘ Bec’ was planted.
“We adored the caves as soon as we arrived. They’re probably the best caves I’ve yet to see. They haven’t been over-developed, the features are incredible and they just have a magical feel. We came away buzzing, really excited and impressed,” says Shan in the post.
“While I was down there, I’d had a thought, a flash of an action scene. . The ‘movie clip’ I saw on this day was of demons breaking through into the cave.”
“Imagine what that would be like, trapped underground, a window open between our universe and the Demonata’s ; having to fight in this beautiful but deadly, claustrophobic trap,” he continued.
“The scene followed me from the Caves like a hound. Over the coming weeks, it echoed through my thoughts, tormenting me. It was a scene I hungered to write. I could tell it would work great on paper, a small band of heroes trapped in a cave, up against demonic forces, maybe the future of the world at stake.
“It would be like fighting in a massive coffin , if you died here, it would serve as your grave. I could feel the tension every time I played the scene out in my thoughts,” he finished.
‘ The Demonata’ is a 10 book series that finished in 2009.