Transforming the Normal to the “Novel”

“Where do you get your story ideas?” I am asked that more than any other question, once people get past the shock.

Why are they shocked? Well, usually I get asked the question when I am with highly educated and accomplished people. I am lucky enough to travel in their circles, people who run charitable organizations, are college professors, lawyers, highly successful businessmen and women. So when asked, what I do for a living, they expect me to answer that I am in a similar field to their chosen profession. They are shocked when I say “I write romance novels.”

story ideas

Actually, they are flabbergasted. Their faces reveal all. They are both fascinated and repulsed. They feel that genre of novels should be beneath them, or me. Given a second, they are drawn in nonetheless. Because behind closed doors, most of them are secret romance readers. And after a few minutes, their confession is out. “I read romances,” they admit with excitement.

Then they blurt out the question. They can’t help themselves, because now they are curious, dying to know more.

Where do you get your story ideas?

Hearing this question so often has led me to give it some thought. After all, I have a notebook full of story ideas just waiting to be written when the opportunity arises. I should be able to answer easily yet I usually just laugh off the question and fail to answer.

To be honest, my inspirations come from a huge variety of sources and it is difficult to parse them all for a conversation at a dinner party. But I can share a few with you, my readers. Here are some specific inspiring moments for “Bedazzled”.

1/ Why does Keeli live in the small town of Gilman? My choice of Gilman was based on a childhood memory. My older sisters attended the University of Illinois. We visited often, speeding down the highway from Chicago to Urbana until the the road ended abruptly at the Gilman/Onarga exit.

I loved driving those two lane roads the rest of the way south. I loved the small towns and the farm stands. I still get nostalgic for them. So when I needed Keeli to leave home, I had her leave Onarga. But beta readers thought Onarga was not relatable. So she hails from Gilman, IL. I drove back there to research my book and it has changed, but the feelings that swamped me are just the same.

2/ How do I pick restaurants for those romantic dining scenes? I have a very trendy niece, Jordyn. When I am lucky enough to spend some time with her, I ask her and all her equally trendy girlfriends about the new hotspots in town. This group is in the know. They tell me all the newest “in” places. Then I check out their recommendations. They are always spot on. The Chicago Athletic Association was my favorite scene to research; the place was amazing. Good choice, Jordyn.

3/ Where do I get my ideas for gala events? This one is easy. In a city the size of Chicago, there is a fundraiser every weekend and my philanthropic family and friends are often attending one or another. I pick their brains and collect the programs.

Wyatt’s art museum fundraiser was based on the Art Institute of Chicago only after I saw them preparing for a wedding there one Saturday evening. I had never considered the museum as an event venue, but as we shuffled out at closing, florists were bringing in the most beautiful flower arrangements. The chairs were set up in precisely aligned rows, the musicians were tuning up and the room was transformed into a magical place. I was immediately inspired to write about it.

4/ Why is Keeli a jewelry designer who sells her designs at festivals? The inspirations for these are the most clear-cut to me. I dedicated the book to my friend Barb who was starting her jewelry business just as I was writing “Bedazzled.” In fact, I was helping her set up her bookkeeping system between chapters. Keeli needed to establish her own business and that is just what Barb was doing. The connection was immediate, like a bolt of lightning for me, and Keeli Larsen Designs was born. Art Festivals? I was attending one almost every weekend that spring and summer, so the connection was made. I loved describing the Lakefront Festival in Milwaukee because it is my favorite of the season.

There are other inspirations too numerous to cover here. Another time I will share how I find the houses I describe, why my bachelors are from Lake Forest, and of course, where I determine their numerous character traits.

Speaking of character traits, right now I am asking for help with my last Beguiling Bachelor novel. What one character trait do you want to see in Tyler, our hero in book four? Generosity? Confidence? Smarts? Tell me what you would like to see in the comments below or participate in the poll in the Madison Michael’s VIP Reader Group on Facebook.

Use your imagination and have some fun with your responses

 

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