How do you continue to find inspiration after writing so many novels? AUTHOR LINDA LAEL MILLER
How do you continue to find inspiration after writing so many novels?
That’s a very good question. The answer, I suppose, is that I’m always and forever reading and shamelessly eavesdropping on other people’s conversations. Everything is grist for my mill, so to speak. I might read about a situation and think, “what if–?” and then I’m off and running. My Clare and Tony mysteries, commonly called the Look Books, are a good example—I used to see this guy on TV all the time, when I lived down in Arizona, a lawyer advertising for business. His hair was slicked back and his suit was fancy and I remember thinking he was the ultimate ambulance-chaser, with a clear message: no matter what awful thing you’ve done, we can get you off. I knew that attitude was bound to really tick off, say, a homicide detective, who would have a vested interested in seeing the culprit sent to prison. Voila! Clare Westbrook was my defense attorney heroine, and she was involved with Tony Sonterra, a homicide detective, of course. I’ve been writing for a long time, and I use many techniques to prime the pump—mixed media art is my hobby, and I find that I get some of my best ideas when I’m snipping, gluing, painting, etc. I keep an art journal and make artist trading cards. Trips are always good, too—a change of scene and environment is very stimulating. I need a lot of visual stimulation, I find. I spent a lot of time just looking at things, and imagining things that could happen. I spent a lot of time in Europe, years ago, and oddly enough that was what clued me in that I needed to focus on westerns, since that’s basically my life. You know the old saw, write about what you know.
June 7th, 2012 at 9:58 am
I love a creative mind that’s able to do just that — take what it sees and turn it into something that people want to read. You’ve obviously mastered that skill in spades! Thanks for coming to the RJ blog!
June 8th, 2012 at 9:52 am
Linda, your books are always wonderful, and I you have a world of insperation in your books. We your loyal readers can tell..
June 11th, 2012 at 8:10 am
It is wonderful that my favorite authors are able to create such great stories year after year.
June 14th, 2012 at 8:08 am
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June 15th, 2012 at 6:05 am
I loved the Look series. Although your cowboy series have all been exciting and wonderful stories, I hope you’ll write another series like the Primrose Creek stories where women are central to the theme. I really loved the way you “built a town” and took the readers from history to modern day. Great stuff.
You’re so right on about story ideas coming from our daily life experiences. The hard part, of course, is getting the story mapped out and on the page. You certainly do a fantastic job of that.
I always look forward to your next book. I wish you all the very best.