"Where I get my ideas" by Amy Reade

Author Amy Reade

I was giving a presentation several weeks ago when a woman in the audience asked me where I get my ideas for novels. 

The question stopped me cold. I know, I know, I should have expected it. It’s one of the more common questions authors receive when they give talks or participate in book signings and I’ve answered it myself dozens of times. But for some reason there were so many answers swirling around in my head that all I could manage was to stammer, “Um, my imagination, I guess."

Face palm.

I eventually recovered and started talking about all the places authors’ ideas come from. And there are as many places as there are authors—probably many more. We get ideas from news headlines, obituaries, overheard pieces of conversation, dreams, even other books. Sometimes we have no hint as to where an idea came from. Sometimes an idea comes when brainstorming answers to a “What if?” question.

Once there is that little seed of an idea, that’s where the imagination kicks in. I thought it would be fun to share with you some of the places I’ve found ideas lately.

The first is an article I read on Flipboard, a personalized magazine app I have on my phone. Just the other day I read a story from “Rolling Stone” about a man who, after coming under suspicion for killing his second wife, also came under suspicion for the death of his first wife. (https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/black-widower-how-one-man-allegedly-murdered-two-wives-w513791). 

   

The second was nothing more than a headline (I can’t seem to find it now) about a woman whose bag was misplaced by airport handlers and finally returned to her years later. I got thinking: what if the woman had put something in the bag that connected her to a crime? What if that item was missing when she got the bag back? That could make for a very interesting situation.

The third is another headline: “Stabbing disrupts class for anger management.” I could see this happening in a book by M.C. Beaton.
 

Fourth is an obituary you have to read to believe: http://www.portlavacawave.com/obituaries/howard-wayne-neal/article_966733bc-7c30-11e6-ac8c-6b78ed8e909e.html. I love it. How fun would it be to write a book with such a main character?

And finally, an overheard conversation: at a local shop just last week, I listened as a woman and her husband argued over what to buy the woman’s mother for Christmas. I got thinking about what type of arguments they have in private if they’re willing to argue like that in public. And more “What ifs?” popped into my head. What if the woman suddenly turned up dead after the argument, which other people also overheard? What if the mother was found dead? These could make really interesting stories.

The next time you come across an intriguing headline or an over-the-top obituary, I encourage you to ask the follow-up “What if?” questions. You might find—or invent—a great story. And for those of you who, like me, enjoy true crime stories, it’s often the case that the truth really is stranger than fiction.

Thanks for having me here today, Pat. It’s been an honor and a privilege.

My pleasure, Amy. Thank you for being my guest. 

Here are Amy's social media locations:

Websites: www.amymreade.com and www.12slaysofchristmas.com

Blog: www.amreade.wordpress.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/amreadeauthor

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/AmyMReadesGothicFictionFans

Twitter: www.twitter.com/readeandwrite

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/amreade

Instagram: www.instagram.com/amymreade

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8189243.Amy_M_Reade

September News

I’d like to talk about what I call Realistic Fiction. 

I read mystery/suspense novels almost exclusively because I love a mystery. Always have; probably always will. Of course, there are wonderful books in all genres but mystery/suspense is my genre of choice – to read and to write.

I love to read and one of the reasons I read is to escape the real world with all of its problems. When I read, I want to go to a world where I can get to know and care about the characters, visit new places - real or imaginary - and, of course, try to solve the mystery. If I learn something from the book, that’s a bonus.

Now, having said that, I want the fiction I read to be realistic. The characters and the plot have to be believable in order for a book to draw me in and to keep me reading. But I have my limits. There are certain topics I avoid reading about. Some things hit too close to home and/or are a bit “too” realistic for me.

For example, awhile back I started to read a novel by a well-known author, a really good writer. But, after reading a few pages, I realized that the main character’s father suffered from Alzheimer’s. The author was trying to put a humorous spin on a serious disease. I’m sure lots of people enjoyed his book and maybe I’m overly “sensitive” but I had to stop reading it. While I realized that what happened in the book wasn’t “real,” it was too depressing for me.

If you’ve read my Malone mysteries, you may be thinking “Hmm. In the series, the main character’s husband is an alcoholic and another of the characters is an elderly woman in a wheelchair. How is that not depressing?” In fact, I had one review for “Mixed Messages” where the reviewer expressed exactly that sentiment. And now I have a chance to explain the difference – as I see it. Each of my books ends with what I consider to be essential in life and in fiction – Hope!

Yes, David is an alcoholic and, yes, Olivia is in a wheelchair. But, as the series progresses, you will see David recovering from alcoholism (you might learn something about this often misunderstood disease) and, as you get to know Olivia, you’ll realize quickly that the accident that crippled her happened when she was seventeen and, not only has she adapted to her situation, but she is one of the happiest, most positive people you’ll ever “meet.”

I’d love to hear from you. Are there topics you avoid when you read? If so, would you like to tell us why? And, if not, I’d love to hear about that too.