What inspires you to get those words down on paper? Is it blogging? That steady stream of consciousness, that writing exercise to pump up your brain and flex your fingers? Is it that jolt of caffeine in the morning, awakening your mind? Is it a quiet house…a good run…a shot of tequila? What exhilerates you?

For me, generally, it’s music. As I sit here listening to my favorite songs downloaded off that wonderful web world of Napster, I can listen to whatever I want and let my mind wander. More than one novel has been spawned by songs that touch my heart. Among them:

Marina’s Bane – Obviously, Maren had a thing for the Boss, or so you who have read her story know. 🙂 “Paradise” played a big part in that book and helped inspire the setting. When Thad and Maren meet back up together in the South Pacific, and they’re standing on the beach, Sarah McLachlan’s “I Will Remember You” echoed in the background. The words could have been ripped right from the story. And the end of the book popped into my head while listening to my daughter’s Shrek 2 CD. I could hear Jennifer Saunders singing “Holding Out for a Hero” while Maren was running through the jungle, Declan close behind on her heels.

Wait For Me was inspired by one song, years ago. Originally a Bruce Springsteen single, “If I Should Fall Behind” was rerecorded by Faith Hill a few years back. Other songs that helped that book come to fruition: “You’re Missing” by the Boss, “The Promise” by Tracy Chapman, and “Matters of the Heart” by Michael McDonald. (*sigh* I love that song. Can so see Ryan in it.)

Science of Silence (my WIP) has roots in Kenny Chesney’s “I Go Back”, and Make Me Believe – the next in the long line of books to be written – was inspired by Martina McBride’s “How Far”.

Without music, I don’t know where I’d be. My most favorite plotting time comes when I’m listening to my MP3 and going for a run in the early morning. The scent of fresh rain just after dawn, the fatigue in my muscles while exercising, and the inspirational words and tunes filtering through my mind. Works for me every time.

And then there are those moments when I’m driving in the car and I turn up the volume to drown out the sounds of my arguing children. That always works too…

“Quiet time, kids. Mommy needs to think.”