Inspiration is everywhere

Inspiration comes in many forms. Some writers get story ideas from reading newspapers and keeping up with current events. Others use music to get their creative juices flowing.

Me? I don't have one tried-and-true method. Instead, I use a variety of inspiration-inducing techniques, including eavesdropping on other people's conversations and surfing the internet.

While browsing puzzles on Amazon one day, I found the one pictured at left. That cozy, old-timey Christmas scene struck a chord with...