Thinkingdog Publishing

Let me set the record straight once and for all: inspiration does not strike like lightning. I know, I know. The myth is seductive. You imagine me walking along a sun-dappled forest path with my Papillon pup, Blueberry, a latte in one hand and a notebook in the other, when suddenly— ZAP! —an idea for the next great cozy mystery crackles from the heavens and lands fully formed into my brain. A plot! A twist! The killer was the garden club president all along! If only. Here’s the real story. Most days, I shuffle into my office (read: corner of the house where I've carved out 3.5 feet of creative territory), still wearing pajamas, hair looking like I lost a fight with a hedge, clutching a lukewarm cup of coffee. I sit down, take a deep breath, and think, Today’s the day I finish Chapter Four. I’m feeling it. And… nothing. No killer, no motive, not even a misplaced teacup. It’s like my brain has gone on strike and is currently picketing outside my window with a sign that says, “...

You know that old myth that inspiration strikes like lightning? Yeah. Let’s go ahead and toss that in the compost bin, right next to last week’s kale. As a cozy mystery author, I get asked all the time: “Where do you get your ideas?” There’s this widely held belief that writers are constantly floating around in a bubble of creativity, sipping tea and spontaneously birthing brilliant plots like literary unicorns. Let me just invite you into the real scene at my house. It’s 9 a.m. I shuffle into my writing space, which is honestly just a desk covered in sticky notes, empty mugs, and at least three pens I pretend I don’t chew. I sit down. Crack knuckles. Tell myself, “Today is the day I finish Chapter Four!” And… absolutely nothing happens. Not a plot twist. Not a witty line of dialogue. Not even a suspicious footprint on a doormat. Just blank screen and the sound of Blueberry, my extremely judgmental Papillon, sighing loudly from her perch on the armchair. If you don’t b...