Hannah asked Katherine Reay:

Hi there! First off I wanted to tell you that I have read all your novels thus far, and I love them sooo much! I cannot WAIT for your next book! My question is this: when a story idea pops into your head, is it usually a plot idea, or a character? And if a character, is it a name or a face that you first envision?

Katherine Reay Hey Hannah, I am sorry this took me so long to reply. I have a manuscript due in a week and it's been a heads-down-deep-in-story time. Great questions -- but first thanks for reading all my books ;) -- the story idea usually pops into my head as a story question rather than a plot, idea or character... For Lizzy and Jane, I was reading CS Lewis's Four Loves and asked "What would happen if I removed all love from a woman's life and what would compel her to seek for it again?" In Emily Price -- What would compel a woman to rethink the way she saw the world and chase something more beautiful? Those kinds of questions. As for a character -- I can see the face right away or attributes really. For instance, Lucy had to have red hair. The Bronte sisters and their writing -- all that fire. Whereas Helen had to have frosted blonde and blue eyes -- the ice against Lucy's fire. The names come soon after, but they take more time.

Thanks so much for writing me and for reading. I really appreciate it. Have a wonderful day! KBR

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