Writing good fiction has its perks. For me that involves traveling to undiscovered places and learning about new topics. Yes, research is crucial to any story. A “hammer” with nailing details into place. However, “nuggets” of inspiration make the story shine. They dwell in the settings.

For example, my curiosity about the lobstering industry acted as the starting point for Trapped in Epitome. Touring coastal Maine, my protagonist, Claire led my wandering. I uncovered nuggets when I spoke with locals, collected maps and sea glass, and people watched. The hard work and often dangerous nature of lobstering intermixed with the salt in the air. Most important, Claire’s story took shape.

The fog brought the bad guy. The dense white rolling up a street in Bar Harbor with dry ice effect. To know my serial killer lurked in such a beautiful place oozed a chill down my spine. But that didn’t stop me from asking during a tour if a boat’s hauler could support a sopping wet dead body.

Oh, the lobsterman’s face.