For most writers, plots can be born from the oddest of places—the radio, party chatter, a photograph, you name it. We’re used to it.

What I wasn’t used to was having an entire book (pre-plot) born from an odd place. Until last December, that is…

It was Christmas week and I was gearing up to take advantage of a kids-free day to get in a little last minute shopping. Before I left, though, I checked in on my Elizabeth Lynn Casey Fan Page on Facebook and leave a status update for my readers.

The status was simple enough: I wonder what the ladies of Sweet Briar are doing this Christmas?

That was it.

I shut my computer down and headed out to run my errands. About an hour or so later, I’m poking around the holiday-themed gifts (hot chocolate mugs, etc) in the front of the store when my cell phone rang. A quick check at the screen revealed my agent’s name and number.

Hmmm…

So I open the phone and put it to my ear, thinking maybe I was getting a “Merry Christmas” call. But instead of the traditional holiday greeting, I hear, “we have a contract.”

Now, mind you, we weren’t ready for contract talks yet, so I truly had no idea what “contract” we had. So while I’m processing her sentence, she goes on to tell me that my editor had read my status update and thought my readers should know what the ladies of Sweet Briar are doing for the holidays.

Suffice it to say, I was more than a little giddy when that phone call ended. What, if any shopping I did from that point forward is still a bit foggy.

Which brings me to today…and the fact that I’m basking in the glow of having pressed “send” on that particular manuscript not more than six days ago.

Now, when I find myself wondering what the ladies of Sweet Briar are doing for the holidays—I know. And come next year, my readers will, too.

Perhaps it’s time to wonder about Valentine’s Day…

Or maybe Halloween.

~Elizabeth Lynn Casey