Book: Inspirations Novelist Janet Evanovich

The music

My current favourite CD is Zoot Suit Riot by Cherry Poppin' Daddy. I blast it out when I'm on the treadmill. And I play it when I'm bogging down at my computer.

The play

Musicals knock me out. I get sucked in by a live orchestra, flashy sets and costumes. I loved The Lion King. And I love seeing people around me enthralled by the production. It inspires me to write better, to entertain at that level.

The place

My Aunt Lena's kitchen. I spent a lot of time with her when I was little. I'd sit for hours at her kitchen table, drawing pictures and telling myself stories. In the afternoon the neighbourhood women would come over to talk about husbands and babies and illnesses. Everything I know about people and life I learned at that table.

The film

The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies have always been my standard for glamorous, romantic comedy. They never fail to cheer me.

The artwork

Give me a Carl Barks Uncle Scrooge comic and I'm fascinated. And probably for the same reason I love Uncle Scrooge, I also love Grandma Moses and her grandson Will Moses.

Janet Evanovich's new novel is `Four to Score' (Macmillan, pounds 14.99)

ENDS