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The assignment I gave on episode 11 was to listen for voice. I had a really hard time with this! I try to analyze voice in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series, the TV show Dexter, and Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder series.

Lists, lists, everywhere!

Most writers have heard of NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, where each November droves of writers band together and try to crank out a novel in one month. NaNoWriMo's founder, Chris Baty, wrote a book called No Plot, No Problem—and I think it's a damn spiffy writing book, whether you're participating in NaNoWriMo at the moment or not!

Christ suggests writing a pair of Magna Cartas, a "yes" list and a "no" list of what you like and dislike in fiction. Let's do this exercise, but gear it towards erotica. I also propose a third "magic " list. (Woooo....)

(I also rant about a rejection email that kept on giving.)