Goodreads asked Robert Evert:

Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Robert Evert When I started writing Riddle in Stone, I literally had no plot or story in mind. I wanted to practice writing dialogue, so I sat down every day and wrote for fifteen minutes about this guy, Edmund, who was simply walking down the road. Again, I had no clue who he was or what he wanted or what his story would be. It just ... developed.

I try not to have preconceived notions about what a story is about or where it'll end up. Instead, I put characters in situations and say to myself, "Okay, what would he/she do now?" Like Stephen King says, "All stories end somewhere." So I just write.

Some ideas do come straight from my experiences. For example, I went to Bergen, Norway. Beautiful country and city. I absolutely love the brightly colored buildings and cobblestone roads...so I put that into one of my towns.

Also, there's a scene in my second book where Edmund is at a party, standing around, feeling awkward. That's all me. I can't go to a party without feeling like a loser!

The problem with having preconceived ideas about a story is that it becomes boring to write. If I know x, y, and z are going to happen, it becomes a chore to write about them. I like not knowing. It's a wonderful feeling to see a character pop up and take control of the scene. It certainly makes my job easier!!

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