I don’t know about you, but people I know are constantly giving me plot and/or story ideas to write about. “Wouldn’t *blah* be such a great book. You should write that.” Even if I were inclined to write down and work on what they’re suggesting, I barely have enough time/inclination/drive to work on the stories *I* come up with.

I have to say the worst offender in this is my brother. It tickles him to no end that I am published, though often it comes out as, “I still can’t be you wrote and book.” I try to take it as a compliment because it’s not (necessarily) said mean-spiritedly. Often times though, that comment is followed by his story suggestion. And then of course his belief that he could totally write it if he had the time, which he does not. I mean, really, how hard can it be. His only sister managed to do it—this is where the *necessary* part comes in. (he can’t just leave the compliment alone, he has to take just a bit further.)

Recently, he has taken in his head to tell me story ideas and then tell me who should play the lead characters in the movie—because, you know, it’s just that easy to get a book penned and then turned into a big-screen project. The most recent one, I have to be honest and say I pretty much tuned him out the moment I realized he was giving me a plot idea, was to then star Renee Russo and Sean Connery. Why those two, I have no idea. Maybe he was testing to see if I was listening. He’s young enough (34) the choices surprised me, but as the conversation went on, we started jawing like brothers and sisters do and that part was left behind.

The weirdest one he’s suggested to date is some strange cyborg, sex dog. I am not entirely sure if it’s one in the same or if he wants the cyborg to be one or the other. I really am a little afraid to explore that one (but he still brings it up now and again). Do people toss out plot/book ideas? Do any of them *really* expect you to follow through? And would you? What’s the weirdest suggestion you’ve gotten? Who knows, it might trigger a book in someone else—any and all are welcome to the cyborg dog sex thingie if you can work it out (minus the dog, kinda reminds of a book someone I know was working on... s’all I’m saying).

I have been reading a lot of library books—as I have mentioned once or twice recently—and one thing about it bugs the crap out of me... people who will fold down the corner of the page to mark their spot. This is a huge pet peeve of mine. Always has been. I am one of those readers who will do everything possible to not crease the spine of a paperback—it can get uncomfortable at times to hold it just so, so there’s no pressure and/or crease. Yeah, it’s a slight neurosis, but what can I say, that’s just me.

To me the worst part of these page folders is, it’s not even your book. Sure if you shell out the $30 for the hardcover, knock yourself out and fold each and every page. But library books are for the masses and every little blemish you put on the book is then shared by the next person and the next and so on—which makes me think of all the food stains and whatnot. {shudders} I can’t fathom the lack of care that goes into these books.

Don’t get me started on the tub... One of my girlfriends reads her books in the bath. I don’t even take books near the bathroom much less have it there where it can get the slightest bit of water or bubbles (or in her case wine and/or candle wax) on it.

Obviously I have a little too much time on my brain if those are the things that are giving me gripes—but as I said, I have been reading a lot and it’s right there in my face every time I pick up a book. How particular are you with books? Are you uber-careful (read as neurotic) like me or do you flip down the corner and not think twice?

Over the summer, I hit the library with quite regular intervals. I signed up to read 40 books this year for my Goodreads challenge, so I wanted to make sure I was getting it done. (of course, I have to admit) I hit that number in June (so my summer library visits were more for fun than necessity) and it’s steadily climbed ever since. But now that the pressure of the challenge is off—there never really was that much pressure, I knew I’d get the numbers in—I started getting *creative* with which books I sought. I mean, I’d already covered my To-Be-Read list and even some of my maybe list. What should I then start looking for?

Over the course of my library visits, I grabbed up several books by two of my fave authors (Linda Howard and Karen Robards). I read all that my library had by these two ladies, which is sadly not that much—it’s one the smallest of the Fort Worth Libraries. I personally have over a dozen books each myself by these two, but alas, I have already read them all—and I wasn’t sure which books I might be missing at this point. I got the idea to look up their books. You see, even though *my* library doesn’t have them, if another in their system (which includes three other cities as well) does, they can get it for me.

Anyhoo... I looked up their book list and was pleasantly surprised to see there were still a great many books to go. And about 75% of those *are* available through the library systems (the other 25% I may have to start trolling Amazon and eBay to find them). I have done this a couple times before—read through an author’s entire book list. Granted a couple of those, I caught early on, I wasn’t 20+ books back so it wasn’t as daunting. Every couple of weeks, I order two books each by these ladies. I am making good progress. And I will say it’s so interesting to read some of their work from the early 80s and compare them to now. As a writer it’s fun to see the progression in their writing.

And how I keep track... I have mentioned before I have a spreadsheet for *ALL* my books. I had to when I found myself buying a book for the third time—yes three copies of the same book. And I did this not once, but twice. My spreadsheet also has books that I have read but don’t have—I know that goes slightly over the OCD mark, but again, after picking up a book multiple times (even from the library), I needed to have some sort of checking system.

Have you ever pulled out someone’s book list and started working your way through it? What is the most you’ve ever read by one author? (I think mine is currently 14)

What’s your name... It’s a question I actually think of. A lot. And when I hear a name I particularly like, I hang onto it. Okay so maybe that sounds strange, but writers are a strange breed. Quirkiness is quickly forgiven. Right? It’s not really as weird as it may sound, though. Writers need names for their characters and you can’t just slap on any old Smith, Jones or Nowitzki (I am still still holding out to get Dirk’s name fictionalized in a book). The names have to fit the person, the mood and the genre.

I will admit, when I very first set out to novel writing, I used my high school year book to come up with names. Not very original sure, but in my defense I was preggers with number 4 boy and my brain was functioning on fumes some days so to have even gotten the book(s) down that I did... Then I went through my baby book and used family names—if you’ve read my books and saw Troutman, Harper, Stamford, or Bennett those last names are maternal maiden names of my gmas and ggmas.

And don’t get me started on the first names. My kids—used ‘em all in various forms (male and female). My BFFs, of course. Every brother (I sadly have no sisters) and cousin has been enlisted as well as BILs and SIL. I’ve used my niece and nephew’s names a couple of different ways. And for some strange reason, one of the dh’s cousins, I think I have used his name in 3 published books before I realized I was reusing his name...DOH! Then I moved on to the neighbors names...

Again, when I hear a name, I always file it away for later use. When the boys bring home new friends, I quiz them on names. Sometimes I get a suspicious look—I think they think I’m gonna look them up in their yearbook or on Facebook or something—like I am *that* stalkerish (Okay, so I have once or twice before; but you date my son, that’s what you have to look forward too..hehe)

Stalking aside, I still like to get a hold of names. I like to have a list ready to go when I start working on something even though the fit has to come a little more organically—like I said, you can’t just slap on any old name. I’ve even had a story where the name came first, then the character formed around him and blamo, a story worked it’s way into my head. Names are an important integral part of any book. So if I know you, you’re on my list...