Producer Philippe Caland initially came up with the idea, but wanted a woman to write it, and so approached Lynch after she gave a poetry reading. At first Lynch didn't take to the concept, reportedly telling him "Well, that sounds kind of terrible." However Caland was eventually able to convince her to work on it. In writing Lynch was inspired by some elements from her own childhood, stating to "Vice" that her being born with club feet, and her grandmother owning a Venus De Milo replica, influenced her insight into the characters, explaining: