Goodreads asked John Brooke:

How do you get inspired to write?

John Brooke Inspiration is a myth. I try to be attentive: to my life, to the world. Ideas come every day, whether in the news, or playing with the cat, or walking to the corner to buy some beer. My character, Aliette, is always with me - I suppose "inspiration" is when what's happening in my world, or my life, suddenly connects to her (as opposed to John, the regular guy who lives a fairly normal life). My job is to notice those moments and make a note... then explore it in the writing of a story. But it's not really "inspiration" in the sense of a vision; it is more like paying attention. I can get excited when that happens. But I still have to sit down and do the work. No inspiration there - just discipline, a willingness to sit through the grind of writing a book for a couple of years, and a bit of faith than I can do it.

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