This is the most asked — and possibly most dreaded — question posed to writers. Why do we dread it? Because the answer is “everywhere.” Every book has its own genesis, and it’s impossible to sum them all up in a quick answer. In this talk, Armstrong will explore the genesis for three of her novels (Omens, Sea of Shadows and City of the Lost), starting with the idea spark and showing how that unfolded, layer by layer, into a fully realized story concept, complete with characters, plot, and fictional world. Come and get a rare analytical glimpse into the mind of a storyteller.