I hang out with a lot of authors. Now, when I say ‘hang out’ I mean I’m on Facebook all day. That’s not entirely true either – sometimes I’m on Twitter or….well, you get the idea. But then there are the fantastic times when we get to non-virtually hang out at events such as GRL (11 days and counting!). Then we can gab all about GLBT romance and other cool stuff. Oh – and drink. A lot.

However, one of my favorite things to discuss when I speak with an author about one of my favorite books of theirs, is where did that idea come from? I’ve heard some kooky anecdotes as to why or how a certain book, character or series came about. Do authors ever seek vengeance by writing an ex as a particularly beastly character? Oh yeah. That one’s pretty common. Especially when they make sure that character dies some horribly gruesome death. *grabs notebook and starts jotting down ideas*

It’s also typical to use a negative workplace situation as the setting to an angsty story. I won’t say who certain characters were based on, but I will say that my Gin & Jazz series was an excellent opportunity for me to rage about my personal experiences working in the entertainment industry in the viper pit known as Hollywood. Of course, to keep everything ‘fictional’ I set it in the 1920’s. Come on, I’m not that old.

There are tons of different ways authors come up with story ideas. A dream, an argument observed at the grocery store, a news article, a friend’s romantic drama, the look between two people at a bus stop – anything and everything is a potential new book for a writer. For my latest series, Sin City Uniforms, it began with a TV show.

Since I write a lot men in uniform stories, it probably comes as no surprise that I like Cops and other similar shows. One of my all time faves though is Vegas Strip. There have been episodes that literally had me saying, “Are you freakin’ kidding me?” Every manner of bizarreness abounds on the Strip. I think my favorite episode is the one where the guy claims he’s pregnant with a dinosaur egg. His reasoning involved government conspiracies and I think his toothpaste might have been sending him messages – I can’t remember all the details. I dare any M-Preg authors out there to write about that one. That first idea is free – I start charging after that. I accept American Express and chocolate.

Back to Las Vegas. I can’t imagine what it must be like to try to control such an alcohol-fueled open air mental institution such as the Strip. Oh wait. I did imagine it. It gave me the idea for a series that at this point has at least six books planned. The first one came out yesterday and is entitled All Fired Up. Because I love my foot patrol officers on Vegas Strip, one of my MC’s had to be a cop. The other is a firefighter. Ooh-la-la. There’s a lot of craziness and suspense – but of course – lots and lots of romance.

What book have you read where you really, really wanted to know how the author came up with the idea? Did you ever get the answer to your query? If so – please share!