Have you ever wondered where authors get their ideas—or how a tiny spark of inspiration becomes a full-blown book series? In this post, I’m inviting you behind the scenes to share the chaos, magic, and joy that fuel my journey as a writer of cozy mysteries and sweet-with-heat romances.
Where My Love of Storytelling Began
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been captivated by stories. I devoured Nancy Drew mysteries, imagining myself solving clues right alongside her. But the real turning point came thanks to my childhood friend, Doreen. She lived across the field from me, and her house was always full of laughter—six siblings will do that. One day, when we were about four or five, I discovered something magical: Doreen could read! She didn’t just say the words; she performed them. Even if she’d read the encyclopedia, I’d have listened totally captivated; this wasn’t Dick and Jane stuff. That’s when I knew I wanted to spin stories that others could bring to life, too.
A Glimpse of the Past
A few years ago, an old school friend mailed me something incredible—a short story I’d written as a high school sophomore. I was shocked she’d saved it all these years! Reading those ten handwritten pages showed me that the voice of a storyteller had always been inside me. That story, about two young sweethearts, now sits in a letter stand on my desk. Every time I glance at it, I smile. It’s a daily reminder of how far I’ve come—and how early my dream began.
Dreaming in Chapters
Like many of you, I’ve always been an avid reader. As a child, I devoured everything from cereal boxes to my mom’s magazines to every library book I could get my hands on. Words have always been my kryptonite. In school, though, my creativity felt stifled. That’s when I began to dream in chapters. Yes, really. My dreams played out like books—complete scenes and dialogue included. For years, I assumed everyone dreamed that way. Spoiler alert: they don’t! But even then, I didn’t dare try writing a novel. That was something ‘creative people’ did in coffee shops, not me.
The First Manuscript That Never Was
After my daughters were born, I decided to try writing a children’s book. Every night, my daughters would ask me to tell them a story, and of course, it spun from my brain to their ears. I thought I should write these down. It was called Benjamin Bunny and the Blueberry Muffins. I poured my heart into it, confident it would delight children around the world. Hey, if I’m dreaming, I’m going big! The editor’s response? Brutal. She said no one wanted to read about a rabbit eating muffins—and I’d used too much sensory detail. Ouch. Devastated, I pulled the page from my typewriter, tossed it in the trash, and told myself, ‘Forget it, you can’t write a book.’ What I didn’t realize was that her detailed feedback was actually rare—and valuable. But at the time, it felt like the end of my dream.
Finding My Voice Part Two
Years later, life gave me another nudge. I was working in corporate marketing when my boss asked me to take a writing course to improve my press releases. I found one that blended fiction and nonfiction, and with his blessing, I enrolled. Not long after, I had a vivid dream about a little girl who survived a massacre on an island and returned years later to avenge her parents. When I woke up, I wrote it down—and I was hooked. From that story came another, this one inspired by my own real-life dating adventures (thirteen bad dates and one happily-ever-after). That book became Lost and Found, the first in my McKenna Family Romance Series—and my journey as a romance author was launched.
From Romance to Murder (With a Smile)
In just a few years, three series and four holiday romance books. The creative spigot had gone from a trickle to a fire hydrant. But even as I wrote about love and second chances, I couldn’t shake my first love of cozy mysteries. I devoured books about how to write a cozy mystery, but every guide talked about plotting in meticulous beats. Full transparency? I can’t plot my way out of a paperback bag. Once again, I tucked that dream away—until my husband asked, ‘Why don’t you just try?’ I confessed my doubts, and he laughed. ‘You can do anything if you try.’ And that challenge lit the spark.
Taking the Leap Into Cozies
With his support, I finally took that leap. I bought four cozy mystery covers from a well-known artist, printed them, laminated them, and placed them in my desk’s letter holder, where I could see them every day. Many months passed, life happened, and then inspiration struck. Within three months, I’d written over 200,000 words across four books. I had no idea if anyone would like them—but I knew if I was going to dream, I was going to dream big.
Living my Indie Author Dream
As an indie author, I’m my own boss. I planned my releases, launched the four books, and went right back to writing romance and cowboy love stories. Giving myself the freedom to follow my muse was the best gift I’ve ever given myself. Today, I’ve written 17 cozy mysteries and 31 romance novels, with more on the way. Each story—whether filled with murder, mischief, or heartwarming love—reminds me that this is where I’m meant to be.
What’s Next?
In my next blog post, I’ll share more about where I find inspiration for my characters—and how real life often sneaks its way into fiction. Until then, I’d love to hear from you: What dream have you rediscovered later in life? Drop me an email and share your story—I’ll be cheering you on.
💜 If you enjoy heartwarming romances and small-town cozy mysteries with a touch of humor and hope, make sure you’re signed up for my Lucinda Race Newsletter for book updates, behind-the-scenes peeks, and special giveaways.
