Goodreads asked Lexa Hillyer:

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

Lexa Hillyer I just finished the first draft of a new novel--a contemporary YA--and the way it started was one morning when I was still in the middle of revising Proof of Forever, I woke up and began writing about three sisters. I have two sisters and I knew I wanted to tell a story about sisters in some way or another. Then I had to think about what had happened. The part I woke up writing was a funeral, so I decided to start the book with a death that shakes the world of the living. Then I did research about the death in order to get more ideas, and started working on the rest of the concept from there.
With my latest WIP, there were themes from the sisters book that I wanted to explore more deeply but didn't get to. Then I had the idea of going really literal with those themes. I can't really explain what I mean without giving away the SECRET of my newest project!

It's smart and memorable to start with something concrete. A super clear first image or a shocking scene that really gets the ball rolling. This will help you pitch your book and help readers remember what it's about. It'll also throw off more steam for your creative engines.

Basically, ideas themselves come from everywhere--the news, art, movies, stories you hear people tell, dreams, experiences, images that particularly strike you, phrases or song lyrics you can't get out of your head--but you know it's a good one when there's a piece of your own heart in it; when it gives you a chance to spend more time exploring one of your obsessions. There are really only so many themes: mortality, connection, selfhood, loss, love. It's helpful to know what really makes you tick, and make sure you bring that passion to any idea you decide to write.

In the end the most important thing isn't the idea behind the book--it's the rigor and clarity and intentionality with which you WRITE about it. Committing--plunging in deeply--is the best way to get great results.

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