I saw this photograph of a French chateau in the Wall Street Journal Magazine and taped it above my desk for inspiration while I was working on Betrayed. I think it’s important to have visual cues to provide atmosphere. I also culled images from my many books about Versailles.

This particular image is the main entrance to a chateau in the French city of Pouy-sur-Vannes. The photo’s caption states that it’s believed to have been built by the Templars back in the year 1145. I love the garret window (ideal writing studio!) and the light gleaming from a basement room which appears as if it could almost be underwater during a heavy rain. This home surely has many, many stories to tell. If you don’t know about the Templars, google it. Fascinating stuff.

Do you ever tear out pictures to savor them?

*Unfortunately, because I tore the image from the magazine, I don’t have the photographer’s name to credit him or her.