Series Inspiration
What does it take to write a book?
I've collected bears ever since visiting London and buying Paddington. Of course, I'd read Milne's Winnie the Pooh books as a child and loved them; I also adored Corduroy and Little Bear books and read them to my daughter.
So, when I needed an idea for a cozy mystery series, I looked up the Chelsea Teddy Bear Shop and Factory. Friends of mine had toured it; I wanted to, but found they'd SOLD the business and moved to Missouri! Augh! However, I did have a Chelsea bear, very soft, very sweet, and decided I could re-imagine a whole new village with a teddy bear shop and factory all my own. I hope readers come to love Silver Hollow as much as I love writing these books.
Not only was this an adorable sign, but a patch of sweet lavender was growing under it! The best of both worlds...
The above photo is of the factory -- now long gone -- but it looked adorable back then! And I love that bear statue, too...