By Abigail's Request

Hey! Here is the "Companion Post" to the one below. This is the topic Abigail chose for me to post about. Her question: How do you come up with the story lines for your books and stories? Do you have them made up before you start writing?

I have to tell you- there really is little method to my madness! Usually, the topics are suggested by something I've been randomly thinking: take A Mother For The Seasonings: I was doing dishes or something and thinking, "Wouldn't it be cool if there was a family of children who were all named after herbs?" And immediately, the characters in my story were born. (Oh! You test people, we ran out of ink, so I'll be a tad late sending you your copy! Sorry!)
For my mystery I am attempting to write...it is turning out rather tragically. I don't mean the story-line itself- I mean, I am no mystery writer! For pity's sake! Everyone likes this story the best, and I can't keep track of all the details myself!
For that story, I wrote out a story-line. The problem? I made the villain a man who was pretending to be a man who was pretending to be a man. Note to other authors: NEVER DO THAT TO YOURSELF!!!!!!! My head spins every time I try to pick it back up. But I have made a promise to Sarah to finish it!
So basically, I model my stories after real life usually. Things I know about, and love.
It also helps that I am constantly observing people. Ask anyone in my family- when I go to a concert, I spend half the time looking at the people around me. So when we come home I'll say to Sarah, "You know that girl with the red dress and shiny black shoes with the scarf around her neck and the white purse? She kept smiling at us." Or something of that sort. I am a fairly observant person. Therefore, before I had ever heard Tim Hawkins mention this fact, I had found out that when people are gossiping, they always say, "Bless her heart" immediately after as if that makes it okay.
Another fun thing I have done is look in the phone book when choosing names for a character. They have the best ones! Some I've pieced together (last names from one person, first from another) are: Raleigh McBride, Bardwolf Becker, (doesn't that sound like a banker?) Opal McCain, Katherine Durrant, etc. (Isn't the last one perfect for a beautiful heroine? Don't go and steal it! :)
Anyway, hope that satisfies you Miss Abigail! ;) -Rachel