Welcome to Pairings

How does inspiration strike? For these authors, it's the random events in everyday life that sparked ideas for their novels.

When you’re researching historical fiction, it would be so much easier to rev up the Time Machine. Here's how I did without time travel.

Here's how four words — Create First, React Later — can help to keep you on the writing track.

Do rainy days always get you down, or are they the best days for creativity?

Knowing when to stop writing is a lot easier than starting to write in the first place. But it's simple: You just have to show up.

Don’t let fear become the biggest influence in your creative life. Find your commitment to painting and writing by delving into your fears.

Don’t fight it. Creativity is a choice. Once you make it, the ups, and the downs, are the fun part.

Life provides obstacles, but you can choose what you focus on

Inspiration comes from many places. No use pretending it all comes out of our heads with no other stimulation. We rely on influences.

There’s a saying in real estate, that it’s all about location. Location. Location. Location. It’s just as true in writing historical novels.

Road trips have an appeal that goes way back in time, and roadside oddities abound for time travelers willing to take a fork in the road.