What A Scary World We Live In

I am currently reading a book written by the FBI's famous profiler, John Douglas. In his book, he takes us into the minds of serial killers. These wackos actually believe in what they're doing! Anyway, these books are becoming great tools for my writing. I've already got an idea for my next book and great ideas into the insight of the villain in my current wip. Any "real" life tools you use in your writing?

Huh?

Okay, as I muddle through Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook, I hit chapter 7 and skid to a halt. Personal stakes I understand, I thought. I know who my protagonist is, I even know her name. I know her main problem--to get her son back, alive. What I don't get is how many ways I can make this problem matter more. Isn't it enough that her son is missing and she fears for his life? What exactly is Mr. Maas asking? It's enough to give me gray hair!

Okay, I'm delusional

What was I thinking with my last post! As a friend pointed out...how do I get away with only eight hours? I was thinking of the eight hours at work, totally spacing the other 100 I need for things after 4:00 p.m. Am I thinking of things I'd like to do, or things I want to do? Often it is difficult to schedule the priorities to fit. I am not a person who enjoys losing sleep!

8 Hours

We all get eight hours in our day. What do you do with it?

Hopping on the wagon

All right, folks, I've bitten the bullet and actually opened the cover of Writing the Breakout Novel workbook. Pretty intense but I'll wade through it, groaning and ah hahing through the whole thing. Must continue to improve my craft. Isn't that what they all say?

Getting in the mood

Okay. Haven't been in the mood to write for a couple of weeks. Battling some depression here. How do ya'll get in the mood when you aren't? I'm determined to write something today.

Students

Last week I had the priviledge to speak before a fifth grade class of aspiring authors. What a thrill! To stand in front of those young faces, tilted expectantly up at me and hold their attention was wonderful. One child won a copy of one of my books and you would have thought I'd given her the moon. Others, although I mentioned I wasn't yet "famous" wanted my autograph. What a day that was. If I should inspire one young person to someday write a book...I will have accomplished something fabulous!