Goodreads asked Ian Hiatt:

How do you get inspired to write?

Ian Hiatt Two things: research trips and music. Museums, locations, movies, whatever it takes to learn more about whatever I want to write about. I've gone to centuries-old ships, hiked paths with titanic statues, walked city blocks---whatever it takes. There's nothing better than just putting yourself there where your characters would be.

And music. Gotta have music. Make a playlist for your book. Have songs represent key scenes. Instrumental or lyrical, doesn't matter. It helps you shape the emotions around the scene and gets you amped-up to write it!

flag