When a Story Becomes Song, and a Dream Finds a Voice

Model: Anita Pegan

Photographer: Krisztina Toth Instagram @shootingstar_cambridge

The official journey of InspireQuest began with a book. The interview collection "Dreamers and Seekers", woven with creative self-reflection exercises, was more than a series of stories on paper for me – it was an inner calling. A first step taken at a time when I had no idea where the yellow brick road would lead.

That book has just been published in Hungary, and while I’m still trying to process the surreal excitement of its release, a new project has been born.

This project is a song. But not just any song.

One special evening – while I was searching for a soundscape, a mood for the opening scene of my own novel – something came through. A melody, a message. With today’s technology, even as a non-musician, I was able to give it form. But the result left me puzzled, so I decided to let it rest.

The next day, a book found its way into my hands: Johannes Johanna by Anita Pegan. I began reading… and when I reached the part where Hanna is dreaming – my body responded. Goosebumps. Tingling. A racing heartbeat. I knew instantly: what I had heard the night before… was Hanna’s dream. It was as if someone had already composed that music for her story.

And if you know how that novel came to life – through Anita’s own deep intuition and “guidance” – you’ll understand why this felt more than coincidence.

From that moment on, there was no question: This wasn’t my song. It was Hanna’s.A musical imprint of everything she experiences, sees, and feels in the story. I immediately wrote to Anita and said: “I have to gift this to you.”In fact… I want to dedicate it to Hanna.

As both Anita and I live in the UK, we met in person and talked it all through. And so began the second creative project of InspireQuest. A book. A song. And an inner voice whispering: “It’s time to create something new. For someone else.”

Anita Pegan – a Hungarian-British writer giving voice to the shadows of the past

The book Johannes Johanna, which eventually brought Hanna’s song to life, is a richly layered historical family novel spanning two timelines. On one hand, it transports us back to turn-of-the-century Europe in the late 1500s and early 1600s, where we follow the life of John Barclay – a Franco-Scottish writer – and explore themes of faith, vocation, paternal expectations, and the search for inner freedom. On the other hand, in the present day, we get a glimpse into the life of a single mother who stumbles upon Barclay while studying – and with that, her own past is illuminated in unexpected ways.

I recommend this novel to readers who appreciate stories grounded in historical authenticity, and who are drawn to the complex depths of human destinies and family bonds. The book is built upon extensive research and draws subtle parallels between two eras – two souls, each navigating their own path of seeking.

Sam – the one who tells stories through music

Sam Mavor is a British composer, arranger, and musical storyteller – and I truly believe life didn’t bring him into my path by accident.

Last year, I attended a special event in England: the Ideas Festival, where we had our very first conversation – brief, but deeply meaningful. I mentioned I was working on a novel, and that for me, writing is not just about telling a story. It’s a tapestry of images, scents, moods, and inner melodies. Even then, the thought crossed my mind: how wonderful would it be to one day have a song inspired by my book?

But fate composed a different score: Our first collaboration wasn’t for my novel, but for Anita Pegan’s remarkable book Johannes Johanna. And so, organically, a story, a dream, and a melody came together – and with them, a message. I feel grateful that I could be the one to carry this through.

This is how a creative trinity was born – between Anita, Sam, and myself. Sam was not only attentive and flexible musically, but also generously supported the project’s community-driven spirit with his offer.

My role was to dream up a song. Sam’s was to bring it to life – to arrange and transform it into a living, breathing musical composition. He was the one who gave shape and sound to a world that, until then, existed only in our minds.

What we experienced in this collaboration confirmed something deeply important: Sam is a composer with rare sensitivity, capable of giving voice to stories – whether they live in animation, film, or the atmosphere of a centuries-old narrative.

His music blends the cinematic with the classical: refined harmonies, strings, horns, and atmospheric layers that immerse the listener. His previous works include a composition for the Score Relief 2022 competition, as well as his own reimagining of an iconic scene from the Bridgerton series.

Sam dreams big – and he dreams in film. And judging by the way he works – with dedication, vision, and soul – I truly believe he’ll get there.

You can explore more of Sam’s work here: https://linktr.ee/sammavor

And now… a new chapter begins. A creative open call and the song – coming in the next post.