HOW WRITERS GET IDEAS

by Patricia Bradley

Have you ever wondered how writers come up with a new book or a series? That’s a question I’m often asked, and before I was a published author, I asked as well. “They” say experience is the best teacher, and it is. Before I was published, I only had one book and it was written. Back in 2012 my brand-new, sparkling contract called for two more books—a series—The Logan Point Series.

Gulp. I’d wished to be an author since I was 35…be careful what you wish for! Somehow, with a lot of prayer, I came up with two more ideas or concepts for the series and then another idea when they asked for a fourth book. Then the publisher wanted another series, this time with four books right off the bat. Gulp again. 

I’d always wanted to write a cold case book, and that’s how that series came about. Also, a lady had spoken at my church about human trafficking. I’d had no idea of all she talked about, the statistics, the heartbreak, and in my heart, I knew I had to write about it. Human trafficking is a difficult subject, but I was convinced God wanted me to address the issue in my books. 

The first Memphis Cold Case Novel, Justice Delayed, laid the foundation for the last book in the series, Justice Delivered. The other two stories, Justice Buried and Justice Betrayed, revolved around things I’d grown up with, like the Pink Palace in Memphis, and Elvis. I mean, you can’t write about Memphis and not have an Elvis book! Of course, that one wasn’t about Elvis but about Elvis impersonators.

Once that series was finished and my publisher wanted another series, I wasn’t sure I could come up with another idea, but then I remembered I’d always wanted to write a book set on the Natchez Trace. And when my editor wanted it based in Natchez, I was thrilled. I’d never been to Natchez but had always wanted to go, so off I went to do research. What fun it was touring all the old houses and places on the Natchez Trace at the southern end. Four books were born of that idea.

After that, I moved to the mountains around Chattanooga and researched caves—the first book involved my heroine being kidnapped and taken to a cave in the area. The last book in that series is Deadly Revenge. The concept actually came from my water aerobics class. I couldn’t think of a good crime to have in the book and asked for suggestions—see sometimes authors ask their readers for ideas. One of the ladies said two words. Eminent Domain. Bingo! I’d had experience with that and a story blossomed. By the way, if you leave a comment, I’ll enter you in a drawing for a copy of Deadly Revenge.

In November, On the Edge of Trust releases and it circles back to the very first book I wrote, Shadows of the Past. I'd always wanted to redeem the alcoholic teenager in the story, Scott Sinclair. Ten years later, Scott is an undercover FBI agent who is back in Logan Point recovering from a gunshot wound. The heroine is a true-crime podcaster trying to keep her nephew from being charged with murder. Her podcasts are also responsible for freeing a man from prison, convicted of a crime he didn't commit.

And now I’m working on a new proposal for my publisher, one set at an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee—there really is one near my house. In the first book, an elephant discovers a bone when she pushes over a tree and brings the bone to the barn. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations calls in a forensic anthropologist, and a Natchez Trace Park Ranger gets involved when an employee from the elephant sanctuary is found dead on the Trace…

And that’s how this author comes up with ideas. If you have questions you’ve always wanted to ask a writer, leave it in the comments, and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a print copy of Deadly Revenge. Unfortunately, the print copy is for US addresses only…a digital copy for all others.

Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with time, and someone bearing a grudge is clearly set on revenge. With the former mayor of Pearl Springs now running for the US Senate, Jenna will have to call in backup to ensure his protection.

That's where Agent Maxwell Anderson comes in. He and Jenna used to work together in the Chattanooga Police Department, and there was even a smoldering fire of attraction. Now they team up to track down the killer before a big political rally that promises to bring not only the former mayor into the crosshairs but hundreds of civilians as well.

As the sparks of romance reignite and the threads of the investigation get tangled when another suspect comes into play, Jenna and Max will have to draw on all of their skills to stay alive and prevent the wave of disaster poised to hit the community of Pearl Springs. The question is, can either of them fully trust that the other has their back?