My “Inspirations” series has considered a number of instances where one creative work was inspired by another creative work; but I recently came across a fascinating instance where a well-known creative work was apparently based on previous creative work by the same author. The author was Douglas Adams, best known for his bestselling comic […]
Inspirations: The Series
Posts from the "Inspirations" series by Jesse S. Smith explore the source of creative inspirations for popular works of literature, art, and media.
Inspirations: Les Misérables
As it turns out, the melody for the song “Bring Him Home” from the musical Les Misérables is closely based on the melody of the song, “Humming Chorus” from Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly.” The Songs The hit musical Les Misérables was hugely influential during my formative years. We used to listen to the soundtrack at home, […]
Inspirations: The X-Files and Twin Peaks
Watching the TV series “Twin Peaks” convinced me that it was the inspiration for the later TV series, “The X-Files.” Twin Peaks, in turn, appears to have been inspired by daytime soap operas.
Inspirations for Star Wars
Inspirations: Part 2 It was always clear to me that George Lucas found his inspiration for “Star Wars” in other science fiction writers and TV shows. Dune Tattooine, the desert homeworld where Luke Skywalker grows up and from whence he launches his adventure to the stars, was clearly inspired by Frank Herbert’s blockbuster sci-fi novel […]
Inspiration, the Series: Introduction
As an author of retellings, I am a huge fan of borrowed inspiration. Rather than something to be ashamed of, I think the links of similarity from inspiration to inspiration are something to “geek out on.” I have personally spent countless delightful hours tracing back the different versions of the Arthurian legends, from modern retellings […]
