July 22nd, 2009 | by Lydia Parks |
We all find inspiration — for writing, life, work, love — in different places. As an author, I’m often asked where I find stories. I’ve got to tell you, I don’t. Stories find me. (I know, it sounds stupid, but it’s true. Ask any author you know and I bet you’ll get the same answer 9 out of 10 times.)
One of the most fun things I get to do now and then is attend writers’ conferences. Since I work as an engineer, it’s always a blast for me to be surrounded by writers. Last week, I spent time with 3,000 of my favorite romance writers. All that wonderful energy attracted stories like you wouldn’t believe. I swear, I think I saw some floating around in the bar looking for homes. I grabbed as many as I could and stuffed them in my brain for the trip home. One or two may have dropped out (joining a few days of life) when we were trying to land in Denver on Sunday and hit wind shear over the runway. Yow! But the rest arrived with me and I’m making notes between dinner and laundry.
I was fortunate enough to hear Janet Evanovich, Linda Howard, and Eloisa James speak (ended up in tears for two of those talks), and I had a chance to meet Kate Douglas, Sharon Page, and a bunch of other wonderful Aphrodisia authors. We drank, ate, and talked books. Too much fun for one person to handle! And BadBarb made my day! (Hey!)
Now that I’m back in my real life, I have to look for inspiration in the usual places: books, newpapers, television, neighbors, family…life in general. There’s so much out there! I’ve warned my family to be careful what they tell me; some version of it may end up in a book. My friends and coworkers are fair game.
I hope my books will inspire you in some good way. Maybe your evening with your SO will be a little hotter? That possibility makes me smile.
Need a new read? I have copies of DEVOUR ME, which is due out September 1st. I’ll give one away here. I have a number between 1 and 50 (it’s written down, so I can’t change it). I’ll give a signed copy to the person who gets the closest in a comment before tomorrow (Thursday) evening at 6:00 pm MT.
May your tomorrow be full of inspiration!
13
by Amy S. · July 22nd, 2009 at 9:38 pmI would love to win this book.
I pick # 33
by sara hurt · July 22nd, 2009 at 10:19 pmNumber 6 for me.
by Pam P · July 22nd, 2009 at 10:26 pmYay for guessing games!
How about 24…just because I love that show, LOL
BTW, that is one very sexy cover
by Cheryl McInnis · July 22nd, 2009 at 10:30 pmGreat cover!
I pick #11
by Eimy · July 22nd, 2009 at 11:05 pmMy pick will be #27.
Love the title and the cover! Yum!
by annalisa · July 23rd, 2009 at 1:09 amMy number is 35.
by Maija P. · July 23rd, 2009 at 6:16 amI pick 37.
by Pam S · July 23rd, 2009 at 10:23 amI choose #2.
by Stephanie M · July 23rd, 2009 at 1:14 pmI choose #19.
by Armenia · July 23rd, 2009 at 1:52 pmSomeone already picked my lucky number so I am going to go with #48. High school crush football number.
by Gina · July 23rd, 2009 at 2:49 pmI will go with 38.
I love that cover.
by Larena Wirum · July 23rd, 2009 at 5:03 pmI’ll go with 28.
by Jane · July 23rd, 2009 at 5:45 pmI will gues 41
by Cathy M · July 23rd, 2009 at 6:50 pmHi,
by Booklover1335 · July 23rd, 2009 at 6:51 pmI am going to go with 39. Here’s crossing my fingers
I’ll go with 22!
by Lisa F. · July 23rd, 2009 at 9:26 pm7
I’m giving away seven copies of Wicked Harvest so that’s the number I pick!
Best!
by Anitra Lynn McLeod · July 23rd, 2009 at 10:36 pmALM
40
Glad you enjoyed an inspiring time!
by Fedora · July 23rd, 2009 at 10:40 pmThe number for 42, so Cathy M. wins with 41! Congratulations, and thank you all for trying (and for the nice comments!). I’ll be giving away a book again soon, so stay tuned… like, join us on the chats! (hint)
by Lydia Parks · July 23rd, 2009 at 11:15 pm~Lydia
So, Cathy, email your snail mail address to me at Lydia@LydiaParks.com.
by Lydia Parks · July 23rd, 2009 at 11:16 pmI must be tired. The number was 42, not for 42. Yikes!
by Lydia Parks · July 23rd, 2009 at 11:18 pm~Lydia
Thanks so much Lydia, will get an email right out to you.
by Cathy M · July 24th, 2009 at 4:45 pm