How Do You Do It?

Authors:

When you are plotting a story, does the idea hit you in the noggin or do you have to think long and hard about what it is that you want to write about? Do you use personal references to come up with a storyline? Or do you just wing it? What kind of inspirations do you use to dream up a plot? 

Readers: 

When you are looking for a story to read, what sorts of things catch your eye? Is it the way the author writes the story ie: spelling, punctuation? Or do you pick the story based on lemons, limes or smut? Or do you choose it based on the genre? 

Let us know!