People asked me all the time, “Where do you get your ideas?” My husband is convinced I have a nest of demented squirrels in my brain, and I really can’t argue. (The squirrels won’t let me—they’re very bossy.) Beats me how I come up with stuff. Maybe because I was an only child and “pretended” for much of my childhood, leaving reality behind isn’t much of a problem when I sit down to write.
However, how delightful to have reality intersect with the squirrels. In the spring of 2012, we were on vacation in Scotland. I had asked my husband to book us into a country house hotel—I wanted to use some elegant surroundings as “research” for a home for a future fictional family. He acted upon my suggestion; however, the hotel, while perfectly nice, wasn’t what I or the squirrels had in mind. But right in the same town was an elegant old hotel, and we went to visit it one rainy afternoon, since it had a small museum in its basement. (I find it very hard to pass small museums by since I worked in one some years ago.)
Holy Oatcakes, Batman! The hotel was the perfect setting for a book! It had started its life as a hydrotherapy spa in 1878 and I immediately saw my characters gliding through its corridors, having tea on its glassed veranda, wandering about on its wooded paths. The squirrels chattered at a high pitch and I knew they were happy. So was I. Things fell into place and I couldn’t wait to get home and start writing. Some might say In the Heart of the Highlander is the result of a lucky vacation accident, but I think those crazy secret squirrels guided me there.
Every time I travel, I try to find something that will add a layer to my books. I do find it easier to write about something if I’ve seen it first-hand, although the Internet is a wonder. (I’ve lost many hours on YouTube watching people make lace and print newspapers and herd sheep.) I always buy guide books from castles, historic houses and museums I visit, because you never know when you will need some nugget. Right now I’m reading reminiscences of people who lived during the Edwardian age that I found at the Geffrye Museum in London. (It has fascinating rooms showing how middle class people lived through the ages.) Real words from real people—it doesn’t get any better than that.
What’s the most inspiring place you’ve ever visited? Do you like to read historical non-fiction? I’ll give away a copy of In the Heart of the Highlander or any book from my backlist!
~*~*~
She has exactly what he needs—and desires…
Ever since Mary Evensong’s elderly aunt Mim got sick, Mary’s masqueraded as the owner of the Evensong Agency, finding housemaids and husbands, and solving pesky problems, for the peerage. Someday she’d like to shake off her silvery wig and spectacles and be the young woman she truly is, but desperate clients are waiting for “Mrs. Evensong” at the office.
Like a scandalous Scottish baron. Honor forbids Lord Alec Raeburn from explaining the suspicious circumstances surrounding his wife’s death, but he knows who’s responsible. He just needs to hire an actress to lure the scoundrel into a trap.
After listening to Raeburn’s story—and seeing him in his kilt—Mary knows the perfect person for the role. Letting her red hair down, she heads off to the Scottish Highlands to pose as a seductress, but soon finds herself with more than her virtue at stake in a tug-of-war between two powerful men. She could wind up in danger—or in the heart of the highlander.
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About the Author
Maggie Robinson is a former teacher, library clerk and mother of four who woke up in the middle of the night, absolutely compelled to create the perfect man and use as many adverbs as possible doing so. A transplanted New Yorker, she lives with her not-quite perfect husband in Maine, where the cold winters are ideal for staying inside and writing hot historical romances. Her books have been translated into Turkish, Russian, Japanese, Thai, Dutch and Italian.
Website: www.MaggieRobinson.net
Twitter: @MaggieLRobinson
Facebook: Maggie.Robinson
I think the most inspiring place I have been to has been… I’m not sure. I can tell you I’m not a huge fan of non-fic. I think I rather naw my own arm off before reading non-fic. I know horrible.
LOL. Keep your arms, Melody. I’ll be happy to do the research for you!
I haven’t been to too many places but I have always LOVED the peace and serenity that New Hampshire brings me when ever I visit there. As for historical, I started my love affair with romance novels on Historical Romances by Julie Garwood and Heather Graham….^_^.
I live in Maine, and New England in the fall is so gorgeous. I have to go out later to renew my driver’s license, and I can’t wait to see the turning leaves along the roads.
The most inspiring place that I have visited is Culloden , Scotland. 🙁 I was absolutely overwhelmed standing there and remembering all the lives that were lost in such a horrendous battle. It all looked so peaceful, and hard to believe that this place was such a such a huge part of history.
I’m not a huge fan of historical non-fiction.
Diane, I’ve visited Culloden too. So haunting.
Bev, thanks so much for allowing me to come here and ramble! I’ll check back after I’ve had my mugshot taken at the DMV. It can’t be worse that my passport picture, which I’m stuck with until 2019. I’ve had customs people shake their head in sympathy, LOL.
Maggie, you know I absolutely ADORE you and love having you on whenever your little ‘ole heart desires. Can’t wait to read this new series. I know, bad me that I haven’t already read them. 🙂
Bev, we must do something about that. 😉
No, I don’t read anything that’s non fiction unless it’s the news 🙂
The most inspiring place I’ve visited is New Zealand. The natural beauty of the country is amazing.
Linda, I’m not sure I could sit still long enough for the plane trip!
The most inspiring place I’ve been is the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan. It’s such a peaceful and beautiful location.
I’ve seen pictures. Lovely!
The most inspiring place I have been is the north rim of the Grand Canyon. I like some historical non-fiction, particularly if if focuses on the life of a person who is a part of the events taking place; but much prefer historical fiction.
Angela, I once rode down the Grand Canyon on a mule. I have to say I was so terrified I c0ouldn’t appreciate the natural beauty, LOL.
So I am finally back from the DMV. Apparently you now have to have proof of citizenship, i.e., an original birth certificate or a passport to get a license. Fortunately we travel so much I knew just where my passport was (I had to drive back home to get it). My valid driver’s license and all the other ID I had wasn’t good enough to get it renewed. It all got me started thinking about voter ID, but I won’t get political here. I imagine most people in Maine don’t have a passport or know where their birth certificate is. Very frustrating. But in 3 weeks I’ll get my new license with a very visible double chin, LOL.
I can definitely say the DMV is NOT one of the most inspiring places I’ve ever been!
LOL. Nope, it’s not. And I’ve lived in enough states to say that as a generality.
I LOVE historical non-fiction and write many blog posts about it for my library. The last wonderful one I read was How to Create the Perfect Wife: Britain’s Most Ineligible Bachelor and his Enlightened Quest to Train the Ideal Mate by Wendy Moore. Fascinating. I look forward to reading your latest; thanks for the giveaway chance!
Oh, that sounds interesting. And weird! I wonder if anyone’s written the Perfect Husband book. 😉
I’m not really sure about the most inspiring place I’ve been to, there are so many awesome places that have some special quality that I just can’t pick >< I don't like to read historical non-fiction as much as historical fiction though.
I love historical fiction too, but I do find doing research a pleasure. I actually didn’t take any history classes in college, so I’ve had to do a lot of catching up!
Hmmmm the most inspirational place I’ve ever been? Well I’ve been all over the us thanks to my grandparents but I think my favorite place was the valley of the gods!! All this large rock formations and beautiful landscape you can’t help but feel a connection to the land we live on!! As far as non fiction historical books absolutely!!! History is my favorite subject!! I recently read a series by Marsha canham that centers around a hero and heroine in the time of 1745 when Charles Stuart tried to retake the English and Scottish throne for his father James Stuart from the Hanoverian king. When I looked up the history part of the books imagine my happy surprise to find out that though most of the story (other than the battles an the actual rebellion) was the authors imagination but that the hero and his family existed and really lost everything in their attempt to help prince Charles take back Scotland and England!! To know that made the story that much more important and closer to me!! So yes i love to read the history about cultures before mine!!
I like most things historical but Scotland medievals are my favorite. I have to pick all the magestic castles and churches when we visited Europe.
All of Scotland is inspirational! We always go to church services when we travel to Great Britain–I’m there for the architecture and any possible grace that might come.
Even though I was quite young when we visited, I still remember being awestruck by Crater Lake in Oregon. It’s such a gorgeous blue it seems unreal.
I’ve never been anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. I should fix that!
France, sometimes
Last year we took a boat down the Seine. It was absolutely magical to be surrounded by such fabulous historical buildings.
I think Yosemite is the most inspiring place I’ve ever been. The natural beauty of our country is so awesome, and when I visit our national parks, it really sinks in just how wonderful it is. I don’t generally read non-fiction, not that I don’t like it, there’s just so much wonderful fiction I want to read that I don’t have time for it. 😀
I visited there years ago. Such raw beauty!
when I was a kid, there was a “chapel in the woods” at camp ground went to that I always thought was beautiful & peaceful. even now, I tend to find the beauty & majesty of nature to be inspirational for me. love to visit rocky ocean fronts (far from the sunbathers), mountain vistas, waterfalls & such. several years ago, went on a family vacation to South Dakota to see the bad lands, Mount Rushmore & surrounding countryside — it was an incredible few days for me 🙂
I would have to say New Orleans. The place is so atmospheric. I adore it!
My favorite inspirational place to visit was Glacier National Park. It was beautiful! I would love to visit Scotland. I love both historical nonfiction and fiction love stories.
Most of my historical non-fiction is science-based, because I find scientific processes back then fascinating (and morbid, too, sometimes).
In that same vein, I love visiting Hawai’i. So many indigenous species to explore!
Italy. I had a audience with a Pope (several Popes ago), saw Vatican City, the Catacombs, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Mt. Vesuvius and more. It was amazing.
One of the most inspiring places I have visited is Ellis Island.
I have not been to any really inspiring places. I do love reading any type of historical. I love picturing what it would be like to live during that time. I picture myself as the characters. I love the clothes and fashion, love the parties, and love the courtly gentlemen & their manners.
I love to travel, so it’s hard to pick just one place out of the many that have inspired me, but I think I will have to go with the Grand Canyon. I did a 2 week raft trip once down the entire length of the river and it was just amazing. Seeing it from the bottom up is a privilege not many people have ever had. As for historical non-fiction, I used to read tons of biographies of historical figures, but many of them had unhappy endings and after awhile I was so burnt out that I stopped reading them.
The most inspirational place I’ve been to is Florence, Italy . It’s a beautiful mix of old and new where the culture flourishes everywhere. They have amazing food and the people are wonderful. I love all types of historicals!