To write Heartlight , I needed to learn a lot about the life cycle of stars, the nature of light, and the marvelous morpho butterfly. For The Ancient One , I researched nine different tribes who lived in the Pacific Northwest five hundred years ago. In addition, I needed to understand the smells, sounds, and ecological interconnections of an ancient grove of redwoods. The Merlin Effect required learning about the legend of Merlin. Not to mention the motions and sounds of waves, the rhythms of tide pools, the screeching of gulls.
Research is often hard work, but it is loads of fun.
My best ideas come from life itself. With all of your senses wide open. Then add a pinch of imagination and anything is possible. Books allow you to travel wherever you like. No ticket is required.