For my very first book, I used pictures I found in magazines as inspiration for Constance, Drew, and Josh.
Do you believe in love at first *fight*?
I was well into the writing of the novel when I first saw this picture in a magazine. I gasped and thought, "That's her! That's Constance as a child." I tore the sheet out of the magazine and used it to solidify her features in my mind--especially her eyes and the shape of her lips.
If I had to pick out an actress to cast as Constance today, I'd chose Emma Stone--especially with the way her hair was worn in the movie *The Help.*
A young Tom Selleck was the inspiration for Drew O'Connor.
This also came from a magazine and it was my inspiration for Josh O'Connor. I know. I know. You want his story.
I'll tell you what I tell everyone else when they ask ... I put my hands over my ears and say, "La la la la la la la."
The main reason is I prefer to keep my books set in America and Josh's story takes place in England. I'll never say never, but I wouldn't want anyone to hold their breath. :)