I think that we, all authors use our own emotions about everything in order to build that new reality called novel. It doesn`t matter if we live or not such fact.
Of course. When I can't go on writing a story, I try a new one. When I feel totally blocked I ask for help to my favorite films and music, and also to the nature. Woods, streams, a good stormy sky and free birds are a great inspiration to me.
Yes, I do it. Whenever bad reviews are constructive, I use them to test the market. They are as a knock on your head but it helps to maintain me in the real world. If there are trolls I discard them.
I've been writing all my life, since I learnt to write. Most of my writings are inside some drawer instead of published. About inspiration, I don't know what inspires me to begin a story. It's like an insane impulse, an internal obligation. You know, as a must.