You and I seem to have quite a few of those lol

I think you’re on to something, Donna, and what a very strange coincidence : )

Oh, there’s got to be some subliminal, personality-revealing thing going on THERE, I think! Perhaps the need to easily shake away things in life we don’t like and take a “mulligan,” or maybe it’s a subconscious connection showing up as a metaphor for revision! 😉

It’s funny you should mention it, too, ’cause only just a couple weeks ago, when I was in the garage by where I’d put the Etch-A-Sketch, I brought it in and have it near my “desk” (it’s not really a desk) area. It is now part of my collection of mindless, fun, “brain break” distractions for when I’m finally focusing on my novels and need to do that on occasion. Other things I’ve gathered so far: my metal windchimes hung indoors; a small hourglass filled with shimmering blue sand; a small, plastic top; a mylar ribbon dancer, and I’ve compiled a list of other stuff to gather in time, mostly of classic games like jacks, pick-up stix, paddle ball, klackers, stuff like that. Maybe a sandscape thingy, lava lamp, things like that 🙂

Thank you for the invitation, Jodi. I loved your post on process. And I’m looking forward to your reading novel #4. Soon. Thanks : )

It IS heaven, Donna. And of course I had an Etch-A-Sketch as a child, but it’s so strange to me that it appears in each novel without any planning or effort on my part. That’s just so odd. But there you go.

Actually, Sarah, the windows overlook lush woods (beautiful especially in the fall and winter) to my right and a tiny bit of yard in front of me (where the kids, and later the little fox, used to play). I did try a garden once a long time ago, but the deer ate the tomatoes. Although you might mean garden in the English sense, but still no. Not a flower person either. No green thumb at all.

Thanks again for asking me to join in, Claire! And I’m happy to be able to feature your post. Loved it!

And here’s the link to Lindsey’s wonderful post about her process: http://www.adesignsovast.com/2014/03/to-be-written/