Every morning I walk my dog through my neighborhood. We stroll down the street past boutique stores, art galleries, bars and restaurants. I peer through the windows and wonder what stories these places could tell. What dreams came alive here? Or perhaps, what dreams died? Did people fall in love or did they argue? It reminds me of the Jimmy Webb song “If These Walls Could Speak,” a melancholy and tender love song that always pulls at my heart strings.

Lately, on my morning walks, I’ve been wondering about cocktail bars and music venues. I’ve been thinking about how every patron, server, and musician has a story to tell. Even the techies who operate behind the scenes have tales. They all have hidden fears, unspoken desires, and unknown backstories full of complicated relationships with their family, friends, and foes. And I’ve asked myself, what happens when these people come together to eat, drink and support live music? What conflicts arise and what friendships form? These questions sparked a new story idea for my next novel. 

Tell me, where do your ideas come from?