INSPIRATION INK - from the novel STEPSISTER

Inspiration was pale gold, made from black tea mixed with cocoa, a pinch of dirt from a poet's grave, and four drops of a lunatic's tears left to ferment in the light of a full moon.

"Inspiración", que era de un dorado pálido, obtenida a partir de té negro mezclado con cacao, una pizca de tierra de la tumba de un poeta y cuatro gotas de las lágrimas de un lunático, que después se habían dejado fermentar a la luz de la luna llena. (Translation by Pilar Ramírez Tello)


There are various inks that the Fates use to draw and write the lives of mortal people on the maps of each person's life, in the universe of this novel (penned by the author of the Waterfire Saga) -- and of course this one was and is my very own personal favourite (if you wonder why there is a Spanish translation, the novel has just been released by RBA Juvenil here in Spain!!).

If you're missing a certain ingredient that is green and strong, I have even written a poem that explains the reason why in verse:

No absinthe in the recipe
for Inspiration ink; 
'twas meant to write one's destiny
and not for one to drink.