10/90

Isn’t that the old saying?  Success is ten percent inspiration and ninety percent perspiration. Boy, does it feel that way to me.  Fortunately, ideas come fairly quickly and I have lots of plots rattling around in my brain, but the perspiration comes when I’m actually writing.

I’m not big on sitting for hours at my desk (especially when the sun is out!).  There are just so many other things I want to do.  Not that I’m complaining.  Oh, no—this job is the best in the world.  I’m just better at it in the winter, with a cup of coffee or tea steaming beside me and the clouds are thick with rain, and the air has that damp chill in it.

Anyway, as I frown at the computer, teeth worrying my lower lip as I try to find the right turn of phrase, my phone at my side, the dog at my feet, I don’t really perspire, but I do “sweat” each scene until I feel it’s right.

As for the inspiration, I thought I’d give you a glimpse of what’s recently inspired me.  Let’s start with the “WICKED” series I’m writing with Nancy Bush, set on the moody Oregon Coast.

See what I mean?  Can’t you just see Siren Song, the home of the colony along these rocky shores.

In BORN TO DIE, I introduce a rescue dog.  Part pitbull and lab and who-knows-what.  That dog was inspired by my son’s rescue dog who was a big part of our family for over ten years. He passed away last year and so I decided to immortalize him in a book.  A very special dog, he was truly an inspiration.  RIP Bonzi . . .