People often ask where my ideas and characters for my novels come from. My wild imagination, of course. But there is nearly always a seed from my own experiences. And here is how it works.

With my latest novel, The Curator, (published under my pen name, Linda Greene), the idea of a novel began when I found a landscape painting behind my parents’ sofa when we were helping my mom move. She had forgotten it was there and said that my dad had intended for me to have it as I am someone who appreciates art and dabbles in painting.

After researching, I learned it was likely a California landscape painting. My imagination soon took off, and I pictured a divorcee finding a valuable California landscape painting in her closet and she suspected that her “ex” stole it. I went down that road for a while, developed a charming, handsome pilot, Peter, a naive young lady, Audrey and an eccentric woman, Mrs. Windermere, who owned a cottage in Cypress Cove. And a novel wouldn’t be complete without an antagonist, so along came Vincent, the rude, self-centered nightclub owner who collected art and hung around shady characters.

But as I spent more time with Vincent, he revealed a softer, more complicated side. I soon abandoned “Peter” as a love interest and developed Vincent’s character. I retained Mrs. Windermere but there was only a slight mention of Peter in the final version.

Of course, with my novel complete, I still have Peter waiting in the wings just aching to be included in a novel and he begs me to give him a lovely woman with whom he can shower kisses upon. Perhaps his aunt, Mrs. Windermere, will show up too.

And so, dear readers, you have just a glimpse into the wild imagination of a novelist!

Note: You’ll find The Curator on Amazon, published under my pen name, Linda Greene.