People often ask writers where they get their ideas. The answer is “everywhere.” Here’s one specific example:
I read a marvelous article in the Richmond newspaper about twin brothers who made moonshine in the 1950s and 60s when it was illegal in Virginia. Being identical twins helped whenever they reached a courtroom, because witnesses couldn’t identify the accused for certain. Which brother was it? They couldn’t say for sure. That gives me a good idea for a plot device: having identical twin bootleggers beat the rap because no one could tell them apart. Read the whole article here:
http://www.richmond.com/life/bill-lohmann/article_ab06ec1e-04a9-5914-8d81-82e6a71a9d64.html
Here are the moonshine twins today:
My mystery series is set in the Roaring Twenties, but there were several states and many, many counties that remained dry long after national Prohibition was repealed. You may be living in one of them today! If so, let me know how you obtain your favorite beverages.