I'm sure you've heard it before: there's no original ideas. They've all been done. What we do is put our own spin on something. A story idea that we like that we want to make our own. That's why we started creating in the first place, right? But there's something there that prompted it. The germ of the idea.

I have long since said I would love to do an experiment where ten or so writers all get the same concept and write up a story. It would be interesting to see where each story goes. It will be painted a little different per person as to their experience and knowledge. Not to mention their quirks and foibles. We did something a little like this at my local RWA chapter at the last meeting—with a little twist, doing it as a round robin with groups of 3. The stories were varied even in the short amount of time we had to work on them. It was great fun too!

Something topical—or maybe just something in the air— sparks similar ideas at the same time. You may have several books come out at the same time as yours, that are so similar. Worse, how many times has a book or movie come out and you stand in outrage, "That was my idea..." I know I have. We had the idea, but, we passed on it. Then what?

I was watching CSI: Miami the other day and the opening was so great. I didn't see the rest of the episode so I have no idea how the story played out. I do however know how I'd play it out. What's twists and turns I'd like to throw at what happened and how I'd like it to end. That's the best part about being a writer I think. You get to make the story go how you want it to. It's the trick of the tweak that makes an idea yours. (But I haven't really done anything with it—it's not so much a pass...yet. But it could turn out that way).

Even without the prompts of a TV show, news story or something going on in life, I have Writer's ADD in a *bad* way. So I try not to start new projects too often—trust me, I have plenty to work on. But when an idea hits me so strongly, I have to get it down. But it seems there's always some story I want to write, I just don't get to it for whatever reason.

What story idea is just kinda hanging there waiting for you? What is it about the story that compels you so much? And a better question: why haven't you gotten to it yet? What are you waiting for?

My #2 child is playing Freshman football. And at this point it's irking me. Since he started playing in 7th grade, he's been a quarterback. Three games ago he got the snot beat out of him in a game--I mean he was wobbling on his knees and all that. Afterwards, the coach made this *huge* (to my kid anyway) scene in the locker room afterwards and pulled him as QB--didn't say he wasn't gonna play him, still wanted him to start and all that jazz, but they were going to go with a running QB and my kid's not as fast as the other dude.

To say my kid was pissed was an understatement and we spent hours after talking to him. Once we finally convinced him it wasn't a bad thing it was time for another day and another practice. That entire week the coach used him as a receiver and on the kick-off teams. Cut to then next game. Guess who they put back in as QB... Yep my kid—who hadn't practiced it all week. Same thing the next game too. And yesterday he informs me, the game this week... he's starting QB.

None of us are looking forward to that game—and let me just say, he's not a bad QB(and sure, I am biased, but he is good), they just have a lousy line, no one to protect him and the receivers aren't catching. But whatevs we'll stick it out, 'cause he's not a quitter.

It made me think if a couple of books I'm working on (s'okay, when does stuff not, right?!?) I have labored over books that aren't working and there are times when I know I need to get in there and change things up to make it flow better. And then there are times when I'm getting the snot beat outta me mentally but I keep chugging through. I guess maybe there are times when you need to try and stick it out to get to the end—not be a quitter—but there's got to be times when you know it's not working and not gonna work so you have to move around your story ( I would never *completely* give up on a story—the wonderful thing about computer storage and externals and all that, you can keep stuff and come back to it...).

What are you like? The stick it out 'til the end or the change it up when needed? Or maybe a little bit of both.

Between Freshman football on the brain and the Texas Rangers (GO RANGERS!! WOOT!) all I can think of lately is sports so forgive the sports analogy.

...oh and, on the October challenge, I have written every day. I don't think I hit the goal every day this last week, but I am still on track thanks to the days when I wrote *way* over.

So Sunday, I get back from the grocery store and unload the food. A bead of sweat rolls down my temple. Odd. I mean sure, I joke and say my grocery shopping is my exercise for the day/week/month (depends on the mood for how long it counts). I think nothing of it. "Til about an hour later when low and behold, I'm still hot. I go and look at the thermostat--RUH ROH RAGGY! The inside temp is 80° :doh:
Not good.

We just had a new exterior unit installed the summer of '07 and all the crap in the attic done in '08. It should not, not be working. Now you may be thinking, it's October what's the big deal. Sure, but in Texas. It's set to be in the mid 80's all week. Some of you northern folks are probably still shaking your heads. I know, my New Jersey grandparents didn't even have an A/C unit at all (hell, my west Texas gps had a watercooler A/C--now that's hell!).

Let me digress-ish for a sec... I read an article in Time magazine a year and half ago or so and the guy was going on about how people rely too heavily on their A/C and they weren't needed and put a strain on the electric grid and we're big babies when it goes out, yada-yada. To a degree I could agree, but the thing is, here, in Texas houses aren't built with no A/C in mind. There is no "flow" built into the floor plan to accommodate a lack of artificially cool air being pumped into the domicile. So... even with every window open and (hang on let me count...) no less than NINE fans going it's still frigging hot (hotter inside my house than out at the moment) in a brick house when it's 84° outside. I am glad that 1) it IS October--when we had to replace everything before it was July (and over 100 every day) & 2) the kids are at least in school for part of the day so while yes, perturbed they're learning, they're at least cozy!

It is amazing though, how on a personal front, it stifles creativity. Really the heat's not *that* bad, but the worry and fretting are. I am a worrier by nature—even when it's for naught—so when it's not for naught... holy cow does it invade my head!
So anyhoo... Despite all the above, I have still managed to keep up with my word count/challenge and actually added a couple 100-ish per day extra. (WOOT!)