Sonya Huber likes to "blurt things out," and Elizabeth Hilts enjoys imagining "the what ifs," she said. Both women were among the authors who participated in February's Connecticut Authors Reading Series at C.H. Booth Library. Curated by Newtown author Sophfronia Scott, the second program in the new series was presented on February 21.

"We have wonderful writers here in Connecticut," Ms Scott said Sunday afternoon. "And we don't know each other and our readers, so this is a way for readers to meet us and we can talk about the craft of writing."

Traffic delayed two of the afternoon's authors, which allowed Ms Huber and Ms Hilts to enjoy a few minutes to talk about writing.

Both admitted that a "finished" piece is never done.

"I could always edit," even once something has been published, Ms Huber said.

Ms Hilts, who had said she likes the "what-ifs," is currently working on a novel about a "woman of a certain age whose life falls apart," she said. "There is no interest in the status quo, but in chaos."

Ms Huber is currently working on an essay collection about chronic physical pain. Sparking her writing is "usually something bothering me, things I can't resolve."

"Yes, it's usually something that is bugging me too," that prompts some of her writing, Ms Hilts said. She has no problem being inspired, she said, "but making myself actually do it, the discipline to sit and write," is a struggle for her. Otherwise, "I can't wait for inspiration," she said.

Heather Webb, who writes historical fiction, was next to arrive in the library's meeting room. A former teacher of high school French, Ms Webb had begun teaching her children at home when her life took another change.

Pulling a copy of her novel Rodin's Lover from her handbag, she explained what had inspired her debut novel: "A woman came to me in a dream."

The woman was Josephine Bonaparte, wife of French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, upon which Becoming Josephine was based.

"I feel like I was chosen, instead of choosing, but I always loved history," said Ms Webb.

With the arrival of the afternoon's fourth guest, Sandra Rodriguez Barron, the authors quickly gathered copies of their books and materials for a reading, and headed for the front of the conference room. All four read from their works and entertained discussion with an audience the numbered at least 20 people.