Let the Punishment Fit the Crime!

by Anna Campbell

I think it's time we played a game!

Stay tuned, there's your choice from my books to be won today!

Wahooooo as they say in the best of circles.

I'm kinda talking circles today - circles of HELL!

It's strange where blog ideas come from - apart from the big shop of blog topics which is a branch of the big shop of stories where we authors purchase the prefab kits for our masterpieces.

This idea came from a stray Facebook post this week where someone said she was sitting in the coffee shop in a brick and mortar bookstore which didn't have the book she wanted, so she ordered the book from Kindle. Shock, horror! The upshot was she asked her Facebook community if they thought she'd go to Book Hell as a result.

I made a joke about Book Hell being the place where every book you read has the last five pages cut out. Not an original line, sadly - there's a wonderful scene in the original Peter Cook and Dudley Moore BEDAZZLED where one of the Devil's little tricks is to cut the last page out of Agatha Christies before they're sold.

Oh, the iniquity! Oh, the spite!

So I started to think, for a reader, what would Book Hell be like?

SCARY, OBVIOUSLY!!!!

So I'm making you guys honorary naughty little imps for the day.

I know you're all such angels that that's going to be a huge stretch, but try, OK?

Well, for the Rooster it won't be a stretch and Ermingarde is used to dark caverns lit by fire. But I'm talking about the rest of the Bandits and Bandita Buddies!

Oh, and if any of you need help deciding on which book of mine you'd like, here's a link to the Books page on my website. Excerpts and blurbs enough there to keep you amused to the Crack of Doom.

Set fire to your imaginations and tell me what, to you, would constitute Book Hell! Would it be reading ALL the Black Dagger Brotherhood books and then having the last one withheld from you FOREVER? Would it be every romance you pick up featuring a hero called Murgatroyed? Let your wicked imaginations fly!

One lucky imp will win a very heavenly signed copy of one of my books - your choice.

And wishing you devilish good luck!

Your Sweetest Little Sin

by Christine Wells

With the Banditas shortly descending on Mickey Land and Joanie T's determination to drag whoever will come with her on the It's a Small World ride, I thought it fitting to do a tribute to all those catchy songs, TV shows, books, foods that you know are either in bad taste or bad for you but you just can't get them out of your head or off your playlist or off your plate!

(Not that I would ever allege that It's a Small World is in bad taste or bad for you, just so we're clear! It's the catchy part I was thinking of there. OK, Joanie? OK?)

Here's my list:

Music:

Kylie Minogue's Can't Get You Out of My Head. Like the song says, I can't get it out of my head once I hear it on the radio. Another catchy tune is the Woolworth's supermarket Fresh Food People jingle (solely an Oz invention, I assume!) -- caught myself humming along to that one in the supermarket the other day, talk about embarrassing!

And Tonight's Gonna Be A Good Night by Black-Eyed Peas. They use a snatch of this song instead of a school bell at my son's school and boy does that song run in annoying monotone circles round my brain all day!

Books:

Do you have any series that are just addictive? I can't go past an Elizabeth George Inspector Lynley mystery. I just have to know what happens next in the saga of Inspector Lynley, even though I don't care an awful lot about the murder mystery itself.

Oh, and while we're on the subject of reading matter, Marie Claire magazine. I buy it for the articles. Truly! I know it's just a big ol' waste of money but I can't resist. Oh, look, free sunglasses this month. Shiny!

TV Shows:

Wait for it... Entourage! Yes, I know, I know. It's sick:) But I have to laugh sometimes at the parallels between the crazy ups and downs of Hollywood and the publishing world and shake my head over the insanity of it all.

I'm also getting a kick out of How I Met Your Mother, which brings back memories of my own crazy friends in those pre-married, pre-kid years. And look at that, Doogie Howser is all grown up!

The last one, which Vrai Anna recommended a while back is ACE OF CAKES. Not only do they make phenomenal cakes (anyone see the Hogwarts episode?) but they're a fun group of people to watch.

Food:

My Sweetest Little Sin (yeah, you know I had to throw THAT in *G*) is choc chip cookies. I cannot resist them, especially the ones I make myself. I have to ban myself from the supermarket aisle with the choc chips in it so I don't throw them in the trolley. I also cannot start the day without a jumbo cup of instant Moccona Indulgence coffee. I know. It's sacrilege. I'm a coffee slob, what can I say?

Over to you, Bandita Buddies! What are your guilty little secrets, hmm? The winner will receive a signed copy of SWEETEST LITTLE SIN!

On the Road Again ... and Again ...

By Kate

Whew. After traveling back and forth to Las Vegas for my fabulous plot group, and Buffalo, New York, for my lovely niece’s wedding, and then up to Oregon to visit old friends, last week I went through yet another airport security line, jumped on another plane and headed off to Indianapolis to attend Bouchercon. That's the convention that brings together authors, readers, librarians, booksellers, agents, editors and publishers from all over the world to celebrate the mystery genre. It was five days of fun and I had a blast meeting some of my favorite authors, having afternoon tea with a table full of delightful librarians from Ohio, attending my publisher’s cocktail party, and having a marvelous dinner with five super mystery authors, namely, Avery Aames (Cheese Shop mysteries), Sheila Connolly (Orchard mysteries), Maggie Sefton (Knitting mysteries), Kate Collins (Flower Shop mysteries) and Betty Hechtman (Crochet mysteries). And in between the many panels and the bar scene and the Starbucks scene and the book signings, I got a chance to hang out with the marvelous Becke Martin (our own Treethyme) from Barnes & Noble’s online book club forums. What a treat!

I have to say, I loved the weather in Indianapolis. It was cold and clear and beautiful, every day. I got to wear jackets and scarves and my leather gloves. Gloves! Believe me, we don’t get many opportunities to wear gloves in southern California.

Because of all the crazy traveling, I recently went on a serious book buying binge. I always pack lots of books, hoping they’ll distract me while I’m waiting in cold airport lounges, or sitting in cramped airline seats several miles in the air, or trying to go to sleep in strange hotel rooms. I'm so thankful to Kristan Higgins and Lisa Kleypas for providing absolutely wonderful distractions on my last trip. I’m also very excited about all the books I’ve pre-ordered that will arrive in next week’s shipment: Jennifer Lyon’s SOUL MAGIC, Susan Mallery’s HOT ON HER HEELS, Lorna Barrett’s BOOKPLATE SPECIAL, Susan Donovan’s AIN’T TOO PROUD TO BEG, Nora Roberts’ BED OF ROSES, Diana Killian’s DIAL OM FOR MURDER, and Judi McCoy’s HEIR OF THE DOG. Good grief, I wonder when I’ll find the time to write my own book??

So, Bandita Buddies, time to share! Have you traveled anywhere recently? Where did you go and what did you do? Did you bring lots of books? What books are you looking forward to reading soon? Do you like to read when you're flying--or do you have to drink three Bloody Marys and pop a xanax, just to climb on board the plane? Whoa, hey now, that's not me!

I’m thrilled to be giving away an Advance Reader Copy of my February 2010 book, IF BOOKS COULD KILL to one lucky commenter today! So comment away!

Rain, Rain, Please Stay

by Tawny

Ahhh, the rainy season is here.

It's pouring outside right now. This is our first rain in our new house and its really interesting to listen to the sound of the rain pounding on the skylight, to watch it play out against the backdrop of the redwoods outside my window.

Rain is definitely one of those things you appeciate more from indoors, isn't it? Although I do have to say, I'm ever-so-grateful for whoever designed the darling raingear for outdoor wear. Have you seen some of the clever boots that are out now? Oh man, I love the edgier rock-star ones. I'd wear them anywhere (actually I'm thinking of making rainboots a standard fashion statement, worn with jeans, leggings, skirts- indoors and out. My daughters are concerned and asking not to be seen in public with me if I do, but I think it could catch on. What do you think?)

Maybe it's my natural inclination toward footwear, but while I'm all hot for the boots, I'm sort of 'eh' over raincoats. Yes, I realize there are some really chic and fashionable ones, but I just can't get into them. Maybe if they made cuter ones for adults, like they do kids?

But despite my current obsession with rainwear, I'm unfortunately always -ALWAYS- without an umbrella. I don't get it, I own them. Every season I buy at least one new one. But I can never find them - especially when it's raining. So while my feet are comfy and dry, I usually show up wherever I'm going with wet hair.

These are, I'm sure, along with miserable traffic, the reasons that rain really is an indoor delight (and yes, the reason I'm trying to make cute rainboots an indoor/outdoor fashion statement). Indoor rainy days are simply made for cuddling. For quiet pursuits like crafts or baking. Or best of all, for reading. I hear the rain hitting the windows and my fingers actually twitch for a book. Like Pavlov's dog, I'm trained to read in the rain.

There's nothing better than spending the evening curled up next to the fire, with the rain pounding away, a hot toddy or hot buttered rum and some deliciously decadent baked treat next to me while I lose myself in a wonderful romance. Or, if my daughter is reading with me, reading aloud Harry Potter or Percy Jackson along with some popcorn (or caramel corn if I'm feeling super indulgent) and hot cocoa. I'll even settle for an afternoon with my laptop, writing my own romance while sipping iced tea (what can I say, it's a year-round addiction) and nibbling on something healthy like fruit.

The time of day, the drink of choice and the snacking deliciousness are all interchangeable. But it's always about the story, the rain and the deep feeling of relaxation.


How about you? Do you like rainy days? Are they reading time for you, or do they inspire some other form of entertainment? What's your favorite rainy day reading treat to snack on?

And seriously, don't you think cute rainboots could be an indoor fashion statement? Really?????

ALONE TIME

by Suzanne Welsh

My husband is out of town this week, so I've got the house all to myself. While I miss his company immensely, I love being alone.

Mind you, I didn't say I like being lonely. In fact, I rarely feel lonely. Between the internet which allows me to chat with all the Banditas; my AOL chats with my sister, mother and at least two of my kids; and the phone which rings constantly with people worried about the state of my estate, my FHA loan rate and my need for exotic vacations in places no one has ever heard of, I'd say I have plenty of contact with people. In fact, at my work people leave their nice warm comfy beds just to come to see me...patients because of their labor and doctors because I took the time to call them! And then there is the gaggle of nurses, who love to chat into the wee hours of the night! All these interactions with others is good and provides fodder for both story ideas and characterizations.

No, I'm rarely lonely, but I do enjoy having time for me and my thoughts. I enjoy putzing around the house in my pajamas with no one home to wonder if I'm "getting dressed" today. Rocky, the wonder dog, doesn't mind at all! He knows that jammies mean one of two things. Either I'm writing all day or we're heading back to bed for a long nap at some point.



When I'm home during the daytime the television is never on. The CD player on the other hand is. I enjoy listening to mood music while I write. In an action scene? Usually you'll hear some ZZTop or Lynard Skynard pounding out in my office. A sexy scene? Some Sade or Alison Krauss.

Having alone time in the evenings allows me some freedom to catch up on reruns of The Closer, NCIS (a very cool, underrated show in my opinion) or any CSI, and the latest Project Runway (did y'all see last nights outfits?!)...I already have my hopeful finalists picked out!

And then there's the reading!! OMG...let's see I just finished Sherrilyn Kenyon's ACHERON,(absolutely loved it) and am reading Sophie Jordan's TOO WICKED TO TAME, (very good so far!). SLAVE by Cheryl Brooks is next on my list.

One other project I'm starting this week is a scrapbook for a Christmas present for one of my daughters. (can't tell you which one since they occasionally read this blog!)

So do you enjoy having alone time? When you do, what do you indulge in?

Hey, Good Bookin'! What Ya Got Cookin'?

by Anna Campbell

Among my favorite bits of bulletin boards are the "What are you reading now?" threads.

People list the last book they read, the book they're reading and the next one off the TBR pile.

It's fun from a whole heap of viewpoints. It shows what people are actually reading rather than talking about. It introduces me to writers I've never heard of but often end up enjoying. It reveals individual reader tastes in a way I find fascinating. Even HarperCollins have put their money where their mouth is in agreeing that people find what other people read endlessly interesting. On their newly revamped website, there's a place for authors to list books on their bedside table. You can find mine here. Just keep clicking refresh and you'll see a list of my current reading.

Anyway, I thought we'd play that today! I also thought I'd talk about a couple of books I've read recently that I really liked. In case any of you are coming to the bottom of the TBR pile and need some additions. (Laughs hollowly!)

The first is THE LAST RAKE IN LONDON by Nicola Cornick, who is extremely talented and, curses, up against me in the Regency RITA category with her wonderful LORD OF SCANDAL. LAST RAKE was written as part of Mills & Boon's 100th anniversary celebrations this year. For anyone who doesn't know, M&B in London started the category romance juggernaut and are part of the Harlequin empire.

LAST RAKE is set in the Edwardian era which is great fun. You get cars and Suffragettes and telephones. The heroine is an independent, emotionally scarred woman called Sally Bowes who runs the Blue Parrot nightclub (perhaps it's because I'm an Aussie, but I kept reading that as P*ssed Parrot nightclub - clearly I have no class!). Enter our hero, the dashing, extremely sexy Jack Kestrel, heir to a dukedom, rake and alpha male, who sees Sally and immediately decides he must have her. Do I need to say more to get you interested?

The next on my whirlwind list of recommendations is what I can only describe as a Regency noir! It's WHAT ANGELS FEAR by C.S. Harris. This is the first book in a mystery series, featuring the seriously tortured but extremely sexy Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin. I honestly couldn't put this down - it's dark, it's desperate, it's terrifically romantic. C.S. Harris used to write fantastic historical romances as Candice Proctor and you can see that background here in the emotional depths and the strong characterization. I've got the next two books on the TBR pile and I'm having trouble keeping my hands off them. I've got a manuscript to finish before I allow myself a reading binge. I already know Sebastian St. Cyr isn't the man who will let me put him aside after a couple of pages so I can get a good night's sleep and front up to work all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the next day.

The last book I'm recommending is a Blaze by Kathleen O'Reilly and again, it's the first in a series. SHAKEN AND STIRRED is about one of the sexy (OK, I'm overusing this adjective, but sometimes the right word is the right word and nothing else will do!) O'Sullivan Brothers and the stories center around a bar in New York. What I loved about this story aside from the emotion, the fantastic characters and the beautiful writing (hmm, perhaps that's ENOUGH to love!), is how real it all felt. The world was so rich, compelling and tangible. When you read this story, you know these people, you know their environment, and you live through every moment. Great stuff!

So here's my list for the game:

The last book I read: DARK AND DANGEROUS by Jeanne Adams. Fantastic!

The book I'm currently reading: SEX STRAIGHT UP by Kathleen O'Reilly. Need I say more?

The next book off the TBR pile: NOT WITHOUT HER FAMILY by Beth Andrews.

So over to you. What are you reading? Do you have any recommendations for must-reads? Inquiring minds want to know!

I got such a lovely response to my last blog where I offered a copy of CLAIMING THE COURTESAN to someone who hadn't read it, this month, I'm offering a signed copy of UNTOUCHED. Same deal. Please just mention in your comment if you want to be in the draw for the book. Good luck! And may the Games begin! I look forward to building a TBR pile that blocks out the sun.

Same But Different

by Suzanne Welsh
As a mother I've said to my kids I love you the same, but different. (How many of us have said that?) Well it's true. Take my girls for example. Both my daughters are singers, artists and readers. I take great pride in all this, but swear I had little do with their development other than pass on some genes. While they're similar in their talents, a fact that still amazes their father and me, they are unique in their styles.

Music: Both girls have been soloists in school and church groups since elementary school. Alison is the soprano who loves blues and rock-a-billy these days. I think the mournful guitar riffs of the blues speak to that deep part of her soul, while the other is just plain fun. Lyndsey loves Christian Rock and punk. The girl can sing soprano and alto and has an ear for harmonies like you wouldn't believe. As their mother, I could listen to both of them sing forever. And given the chance they still perform for audiences in blues bars or churches.

Art: Since they drew their first crayon compositions on their bedroom walls, they've always been drawing. As they've grown their art has evolved into their own styles.

Alison's is very realistic. As you can see by these examples, she likes to draw people in their quieter, more introspective selves. She works with inkings and pastels on large sheets of drawing papers. I love the intensity, the raw emotions they touch inside. Alison is all self taught, well except for that one semester in college. And recently has been showing her work in galleries in the Deep Ellum Art district.

Lyndsey is a lover of the manga style of art. A very vibrant and fun style, full of surprises. She's had more classes to develop her understanding of art, but her style is strictly her own. She sketches on paper, scans it into the computer, then does the coloring by computer. Which given the details and special effects, you can see aren't easy. Each and every picture she develops amazes me and makes me smile. The one above of the girl with the glowing shield uses special light effects. The one below with the hands was a painting she did for a charity. And currently she's working with a Christmas Card company doing fun cards.

Books: Here is where I had a little influence in their tastes. Well, okay maybe a lot. From the moment they were born, I read to them, and they always saw me reading. I encouraged them to read, took them to the bookstore on a regular basis. And when I started writing, they learned how much I love the romance genre. Alison is all over the spectrum with her reading choices, Ann Rand, Sylvia Plath, Sherrylin Kenyon, Elizabeth Lowell, and anything with fantasy, Tolkein and J K Rowling. Lyndsey loves sweeter romances, such as Debbie Macomber; Kinley MacGregor, especially the old Pirate books; and fantasy books such as Gena Showalter and Cathy Spangler.

So what does all this have to do with a romance writing blog? Simple, just as I love my daughters the same but different, so do I love the many subgenres of romance. I love to be whisked off to a new dimension with space heroes and vampires. Give me a good psychic contemporary suspense to read late at night when the house is creepy silent. Give me a historical that makes me yearn for years gone by. Make me laugh, make me cry, make me go YUMMO at the heroes.

And sadly, I write the same way. I love to step back in time and create my version of history. I love creating the American contemporary small town and all the zany characters. I love to have the good guys defeat the bad guys and get the girl. Perhaps someday I'll find my one niche, but for now, I love them all...the same, but different.

So how about you? Is there anything you're so passionate about you can't see any other style? Or are you like me, a bit of a smorgasbord reader/writer?

So Many Books ...

By Kate Carlisle

Whenever readers and writers get together, the conversation eventually winds its way around to books. It’s our common bond.

Here in the Lair, we’re always talking about our favorite books and authors.

We’ve had posts that reminisced about the first romance we ever read.

We’ve interviewed wonderful guest authors whose latest books have hit the shelves.

We’ve had fabulous parties to celebrate our own Banditas’ book releases.

We love books!

So today I’m wondering … what are you reading right now? Are you loving it? And what’s coming up next on your TBR pile? Do you read more than one book at a time? Are you always buying more despite the very real threat of an avalanche pouring down from your bookshelves and burying you alive?

Me, too. And despite that, I just finished another book-buying frenzy. I'm not sure where I'm going to put them all. I might need a bigger house ...

But never mind that little detail. Let's talk books! I’ll show you mine if you show me yours. Books, I mean! I’ll go first.

I just finished Deanna Raybourn’s Silent in the Sanctuary, the second book in her fabulous Lady Julia Grey Victorian mystery series. I’m sort of hooked on Victorian mysteries lately.

Another favorite is Tasha Alexander, who writes the Emily Ashton Victorian mysteries. Her latest, A Poisoned Season, is next in line for me. After that, I’ve got the new J.D. Robb, Strangers in Death. I just love Eve and Roarke, don't you?

And no list of my recently read books would be complete without mentioning two favorites. Namely, our very own Anna Campbell's Untouched and Christie Kelley's Every Night I'm Yours. I hate to gush so I'll simply say, honestly, they were both absolutely fantastic!!

My latest shipment from Amazon brought me Right Here, Right Now by Helenkay Dimon (I read an excerpt and couldn’t resist!), Much Ado About You, by Eloisa James (I’ve never read her, can you believe it?), Murder Melts in Your Mouth, by Nancy Martin (the latest in her Blackbird Sisters mystery series—I’m so excited!), The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne (a recent guest in the Lair), Maverick Wild by Stacey Kayne (finally!), A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock (yet another Victorian mystery by an author I haven’t read before) and A Fiend In Need by Maureen Child (who's visiting the Lair later this month and I can't wait to read this second book in her Demon Duster series).

And if that’s not enough, I’ve ordered more books that I’ll be picking up this afternoon at my local RWA chapter meeting. We’ve got bestselling suspense author Lisa Jackson and her sister, mystery author Nancy Bush, speaking at the meeting and I ordered each of their latest books, plus two new Silhouette Desires by fellow chapter members Maureen Child and Charlene Sands.

So … that should take care of my reading needs for the next few days anyway!

How about you? Read any good books lately? What new authors are you excited about? And how about your old favorites? Does someone have a book coming out that you’d like to recommend? I'm always looking for someone new to read. And I’m giving away a $20 amazon.com gift certificate to one lucky commenter for sharing the news!

I Love My Job

By Kate

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been immersing myself in research for my new Bibliophile Mystery series. Last week, I spent two days at the annual Antiquarian Book Fair in Los Angeles, where booksellers from all over the world meet to buy, sell and trade their treasures.

I attended two workshops on book collecting and restoration, then wandered through the hundreds of stalls and kiosks perusing exquisitely bound editions of William Shakespeare and Walt Whitman and Jane Austen. There were books on display that were so ancient, they looked like petrified forest mushrooms, as well as a collection of clever, three-dimensional, accordion-style books designed by a contemporary Parisian artist. First editions of mysteries by Raymond Chandler and Earl Stanley Garner sat alongside a nicely preserved, full set of Agatha Christie’s mysteries.

Then this weekend, my research brought me to San Francisco where I spent the last two days wandering around my heroine’s neighborhood, getting the lay of the land, soaking up the local color, searching out the perfect location for a murder—or two, and driving up to Sonoma County where my heroine was raised.

Oh, and the wine tasting I attended was a necessary part of my character development. ;-)

I’m also taking a two-day class on bookbinding at the San Francisco Center for the Book. That’s right, I’m not just writing a book, I’m making a book!

Shortly after I return home, I’ll be descending into the deadline cave where I’ll stay for the next month in order to finish my book. But for now, I’m writing this post while sitting at the restaurant bar, sipping a lovely cabernet and nibbling on bread dipped in olive oil as I wait for my steak and potato. Sigh. The things we do for our craft!

If you could choose the perfect spot to do research, where would you go? Are there books you choose simply because you love the setting? Do you find yourself drawn to a particular occupation of the main character? And how do you like your steak prepared? Or would you prefer the vegetarian selections? :-)

P.S. Vote for Trish!!!

Rituals Rule, so sayeth Annie Solomon

by Trish Milburn

Today's guest, Annie Solomon, not only is a fantastic, RITA-winning romantic suspense novelist; she also knows how to shop for cute clothes, is rarely found without knitting needles in hand, and harbors a great love for the sci-fi TV series Farscape and its star, Ben Browder. Her book, Blackout, won the 2007 RITA for Best Romantic Suspense. Her newest release is Dead Shot, which you can conveniently purchase from Amazon by clicking on the book cover at left. She's here today to talk about how rituals help in the writing process.

~~~

Rituals Rule

Writing is a mystery. Characters “talk” to you. They do things you didn’t expect or plan. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The most mysterious thing to me are the rituals that go along with the process. Why do they work? Do you have a piece of music that you can’t write without? A special corner of the house? A chair? For me, I’ve found the weirdest thing is that I can no longer write alone.

Several years ago, I struggled with a terrible back problem that was exacerbated by the chair in my home office. I don’t quake when I go in there now, but I can’t write there. I thought I was blocked. I was tearing my hair out, deadlines looming closer and closer. I was looking for any available cliff to jump off.

Then I discovered Panera Bread Company. Free Wi-Fi. Great coffee. And they ain’t no slouch in the bread department neither. But the most important thing about Panera is the people. Not just behind the counter, but all over the place. Coming and going, eating in, taking out.

Now you’d think that would be a distraction. See, that’s where the Twilight Zone music comes in. I think the people are what allows me to write again. Maybe it’s the public humiliation of sitting there staring at the empty screen. (Gotta fill that up or people will see I’m doing nothing.). Or maybe it’s the fact that I can’t roll out of bed and pretend to work in my PJs while I’m really playing Freecell and Scrabble. I gotta get up, get showered, get dressed, and go somewhere. Since I’ve made all this effort, might as well use it. That's me at the right, writing away. Pictured below is Mimi, the friendliest Paneraperson ever.

Whatever the reason, Panera has become my new ritual. I pretend I’m going to work just like I did when I was running the copy department at Gish, Sherwood & Friends Advertising Agency. I look professional and put together. I even put on makeup. And I write. I actually accomplish something. Some days I have breakfast there, some days breakfast and lunch. Once or twice I even brought home dinner (though, okay, maybe that’s getting a little out of hand). Maybe it’s the food?

Whatever it is, it works. And that is one mystery I’m not too eager to solve.

So, I’m curious—what are your writing rituals? Or do you have rituals in other parts of your life that help you get things done?