The spark came from [personal experience/news article/historical event]. I kept imagining 'what if...?' scenarios, and the characters took shape around that central question. For example, the protagonist's struggle with [specific challenge] mirrors themes I’ve always wanted to explore, like resilience in the face of systemic injustice.

Ruthless scheduling! I write for 90 minutes every morning before my day job. Weekends are for deeper dives. It’s not glamorous, but protecting that time is non-negotiable. Saying 'no' to distractions is the indie author’s superpower.