For me, a physical distraction is a good one. While my body is busy, my mind is free and floating around thinking about things I don’t know yet. A walk is particularly good for solving problems. You just walk until your brain is relaxed, then come back and work. It’s amazing how easily problems are solved after a walk. It works to a lesser degree with other physical things.

There is one big distraction that gets me off track and that’s doing my watercolor. My watercolor wants the same part of my brain as my writing, but it doesn’t like to share – and vice versa. So, that’s my problem today. I really want to do a little watercolor, but I know that once I get started it won’t be just a little. It will be a big, lovely, wonderful experience and leave me drained for writing.

So, today, I would send you off on a silly hunt for art. If you have any interest in art, check out WetCanvas.com [wetcanvas-newsletter@fwpubs.com]. Today’s newsletter has an article about photographing lightning. Did you know there’s a bit of math that will help you catch the picture? See, I’ve been distracted already. Maybe catching up on the wash will help free my mind a little.

Back to the adventures of Maxie, Jason, Su Lin, Ma and the Chinese smugglers.

Marilynne