Behind the mirage inceptions

How much mythology research and reading had you already done when you got started writing, and how much happened along the way?
I knew the main characters of mythology pretty well.  Zeus, Hades, Ares and Apollo.  They are very prominent in my book.  I just took what I knew of them, and tweaked it a little bit.  There were a few characteristics from the old stories that I wasn’t going to address in the book.  I wanted my story to be different, but still have a little of the same.
 
Where were you in life when you decided to start writing your book? Was it a happy time, or uncertain, or sad?
It wasn’t until I moved across country and left everything I knew behind that I picked up writing again.  Behind the Mirage was the beginning of my writing life again.  I dabbled in it here and there; just enough to keep me going.  It wasn’t until I lost my job that I focused more time to it.  After the final chapter was written, I decided to take a stab at trying to get it published. 
 
What made you choose your setting for the book?
I chose Greece for Behind the Mirage because it is the place, I want to visit more than any in the world.  Plaka came into the picture from a friend of mine.  A person he knew had visited and spoke fondly of it.  Once I did my research on Plaka; how charming it is, how beautiful, I knew it was the best place for my location.  It’s a beautiful neighborhood that felt so right, even though I haven’t visited.  Not yet.  I knew I always wanted to write a story that takes place in Greece.  It was just finding the right ideas and characters.  I could imagine seeing my main character; Lex walking through the neighborhood of Plaka.  I imagined her entering the many shops and restaurants.  I guess I wanted to see myself in her, to be able to walk in her shoes until I can visit there myself.