Every character in Fingley World has a story, a piece of real-life inspiration woven into their very being. Some appear suddenly, as if they’ve always existed, waiting to be written, while others take shape over time, crafted by experience, memory, and the places that leave a lasting imprint on the soul.
Merrylegs Spindleton was born from such an experience, one that took me to Tanera Mòr, a semi-remote island in the Summer Isles, Scotland where nature, solitude, and creativity merged to form something truly magical.
A Writing Retreat Like No Other
In the summer of 2009, I was living in Findhorn, an eco-community in Scotland, when I joined a small creative writing group. We were a group of five women, brought together by our love for storytelling, eager to share our work and develop our craft. That summer, we were fortunate enough to spend time on Tanera Mòr, an island untouched by modern distractions. It was a land of wild beauty, where the sea stretched endlessly, the air was crisp and pure, and the sense of isolation was both humbling and freeing.
We stayed in a small, remote farmhouse, surrounded by the vast expanse of the untamed Scottish landscape. Here, time seemed to slow, and the only sounds were the whisper of the wind, the distant cry of seabirds, and the rhythmic crashing of waves against the rugged coastline.
Each evening, after our supper, we gathered around the open log fire, forming a circle where stories, laughter, and creativity flourished. But what made these evenings even more magical was the spinning jenny that one of the women had brought with her. As the spinning wheel hummed softly, another member of our group, blessed with the most angelic voice, sang to us in Gaelic, filling the room with an otherworldly melody. It was a moment of pure enchantment, as if time itself had folded, and we had been transported to another era, where storytelling and craft were the heart of existence.
The Birth of Merrylegs Spindleton
That experience, the remoteness of the island, the warmth of the fire, the rhythmic hum of the spinning wheel, and the ancient beauty of the Gaelic songs became the foundation for one of Fingley World’s most endearing characters, Merrylegs Spindleton.
In Fingley World, Merrylegs is a wise and skilful weaver, known for spinning threads of magic and memory, binding together the past, present, and future in ways unseen by ordinary eyes. She is an elder of quiet strength, living in her cave, a place hidden deep within Fingley World, a sanctuary of ancient weaving traditions, infused with enchantment.
Her presence in Fingley World is a reminder of the beauty of craft, the power of solitude, and the magic that exists in even the smallest, quietest moments. Merrylegs was inspired by the women who surrounded me on that island retreat, women who wove their stories, just as Merrylegs now weaves the very fabric of Fingley’s magic.
The Women Behind the Character
Merrylegs Spindleton is more than just a character, she is a tribute to the women who have shaped me.
She carries the spirit of:
The spinners and weavers of the past, those who crafted with patience and purpose.
The Gaelic singer by the fire, whose voice wove magic into the air.
The wild, untamed island of Tanera Mòr, where nature and solitude fed the soul.
She is a reminder that:
Every thread tells a story.
Every stitch holds a secret.
And sometimes, the greatest magic is found in the quiet moments of creation.
The Threads of Fate Continue
Merrylegs’ story is not yet finished. Her magic runs through Fingley World, quietly influencing the lives of those who seek her out. And just like her loom, my own storytelling continues, spinning new tales, weaving new magic, and crafting new adventures that keep the spirit of Fingley alive.
Because in the end, we are all weavers of our own destinies… and the question is, what story will you spin?
Leaving the Island a Different Person
When I left Tanera Mòr, I wasn’t the same person who had arrived. Something had shifted within me, a deeper connection to nature, a renewed love for storytelling, and a profound appreciation for the company of like-minded souls. It was a trip that changed me, shaped my writing, and, in many ways, gave life to Merrylegs Spindleton and her place in Fingley World.
And though the island itself is miles away, its magic now lives on in the stories I tell, the characters I create, and the world of Fingley that continues to grow with each new tale.
The Magic of Shared Creativity
We often think of creativity as a solitary act, but some of the greatest inspirations come from the people we surround ourselves with. That summer, on a remote island, I found:
The warmth of friendship around a fire.
The rhythm of creation in the spinning wheel.
The deep, humbling magic of the natural world.
The power of storytelling, passed from one heart to another.
Merrylegs Spindleton may have started as an idea, but she is also a tribute, a tribute to that island, to those women, and to the power of shared creativity.
And for that, I will always be grateful.
Have You Ever Been Changed by a Place?
Have you ever visited a place that left a lasting imprint on your heart?
Has an experience ever sparked a story, a character, or a creative idea? Because sometimes, the most unexpected journeys lead to the most magical creations.
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