Go ahead, grab a pen. Or a mouse. But turn off the internet!

So it’s the start of a long weekend and I had planned to devote this afternoon to the mystery novel I am currently working on.  I turned off the work computer at 12:30.  It’s 2:20.  In the meantime, I have eaten lunch, walked the dogs, and got sucked into the blogs I follow.  (What are you up to, Jog Fatboy, Jog?)

One of these is a blog called Grab a Pen.  The blogger is a 22-year old girl (her word) who writes YA novels – Tahera Mafi.  And she’s a hoot.  Today’s post is about how to write a novel. There are just 100 easy steps!  And 1-23 are all preparation.   I liked “buy yourself a new laptop because obviously you deserve it,” because that’s what I did when I first started writing.  No single character appeared on a page until I had my first iMac.  Also “hope nobody notices the protagonist is really you.”  Ha!  Check it out.

On the opposite side of the blogosphere, Roger Ebert has a big write-up in today’s New York Times.  (Warning: the photo will break your heart.)  One of my favorite guys ever for his movie reviews, Roger has been challenged by cancer, can no longer speak or eat.  So naturally he is doing an interview for his new cookbook.  The cookbook sounds like something I could actually use – how to make everything and anything in a rice cooker.  (Note to self- buy rice cooker. Buy cookbook.)

The article mentions Ebert’s blog, which I did not know existed, and of course I had to spend some time checking it out.  Glad to see his voice is still strong!  As it is now 2:38, I will close and QUIT PROCRASTINATING…