Inspiration comes in the most interesting places. Where the idea for every book comes from always amazes me. It’s one of the things most people want to know…

Where does your inspiration come from?

I love when a new idea hits me. It’s like something I was missing just appeared in front of me. Sometimes I’ve been trying to think of something, an idea or a path, and it hits me from out of nowhere. Other times I didn’t know I was looking for an idea when one comes.

What do you do when you lose something? Your keys or your phone or something that you need? I always retrace my steps. Think back to where I was when I last saw what I’m looking for. Maybe I’ll ask my husband or kids.

If I’m stuck and looking for a path, I do exactly that. I read through the manuscript to where I’m stuck. I go back to reference books to find inspiration. I remind myself why I write, why I love it, why I keep going.

When the inspiration I was looking for jumps out at me, I nearly slap my forehead because it always seems so obvious. Sort of like when you find your keys exactly where you always put them instead of where you thought you put them.

What about those things you stopped looking for because you had no clue where they were. A gift card you were sure you got for your birthday but thought you must have spent it since you couldn’t find it when you looked. Or your favorite bottle of wine that isn’t at the liquor store anymore so you thought they stopped making it. Or those heels you loaned to a friend and never got back and forgot about.

When those things appear again, that’s how the other kind of inspiration is. A nice surprise that you weren’t expecting. The gift card shows up in the bottom of your purse. A friend comes over for dinner and brings the wine you haven’t found for months. Your favorite heels are sitting in a suitcase when you open it to pack for a trip.

There’s always a spark, though. Something that sets it off. A line from a song. A scene on a TV show. A person in a crowd. Even a word. Inspiration is all around us. When I’m open to it (and I’m not always, I’ll be honest), then it’s easy to pick up on.

Have you ever looked for something and been surprised where it showed up?

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