Where do your story ideas come from?

Today, I’m excited to share with you one of my favorite sources of inspiration—and the origin for the gold Jewish rebellion coin that tumbled from the robe of Benjamin, the murder victim in Obedient Unto Death.

The gold coin, a pivotal element, resurfaces in Book Two, Fortunes of Death, and takes on a crucial role in Book Three, Powers of Death. Its presence adds layers of depth and intrigue to the narrative, enriching the story in ways you might not expect.

One of my go-to resources is Biblical Archeology Review, a magazine published by the nonprofit Biblical Archaeology Society. The articles on archeological digs and the researchers’ occasionally controversial theories are thought-provoking and ignite many “ideas” I incorporate into my books, including the gold coin. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org

Confession Time:

Now, let me share a secret with you: the shekel coins struck in the Jerusalem temple during the first Jewish revolt were silver. However, I couldn’t resist the allure of gold shekels, so I took a creative leap and introduced them into my narrative. This is where my creative license, tethered to factual accuracy, comes into play.