Enchantments

Definitely on the mend - finally!

2012-02-06T20:29:00.000-08:00

Yes, I’m definitely starting to feel better. Despite not getting nearly enough sleep last night (O Nyquil, I reach out a trembling hand, but you slip from my grasp…), I’ve been productive and actually have energy today. As in, “Okay, let’s tackle the next item on the To Do list” as opposed to “Oh gods, not the next item on the To Do list…fuuuuck…” Okay, for the record, I did doze off during

First fantasy collection!

2012-02-06T13:55:00.000-08:00

Five Funny Fantasies by Dayle A. Dermatis Five Funny Fantasies is the first collection from prolific writer Dayle A. Dermatis. Prepare to be amused by these five humorous fantasy stories involving dragons and slayers, deals with the Devil, 80s hair metal, and much, much more! Includes the following stories: • If the Shoe Fits• Feline Design• Famous Last Words• Hell’s Belles• What Dragons

State of the Dayle (and Ken)

2012-02-05T23:59:00.000-08:00

We’ve had a much-needed quiet, somewhat catch-up weekend. I’m pretty sure I’m on the far side of my cold; I finally haven’t needed nasal spray to sleep (which I’ve been using since, oh, Christmas) and I’m not coughing much at all. Maybe tonight I’ll try to go without Nyquil…? Which would be sad, because I like Nyquil so very much. It puts me to sleep, and keeps me asleep, and even if I get up

Who's there?

2012-02-05T01:39:00.000-08:00

Things to Do Before We Fly to Boise Tomorrow: An Ongoing List

2011-08-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

Home Stuff receipts into Quicken/pay bills/clean off desk call sisters (oh. crap.) scoop cat litter/clean out fridge/take out trash (Ken, bless him) sort pills and protein shakes laundry: darks, lights, delicates (Ken has started a second darks load) wrap presents/seal boxes copy some Slings and Arrows to iPad? email, email, email change hair appointment call newspaper copy

Another question for my foodie friends

2011-08-27T20:28:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have this here recipe. I've made it before, but a loooong time ago. It was yummy. I want to make it yummier and healthier with more veg.--- Sarah's Chicken Curry1/2 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup vinegar (white wine or balsamic) 3 tsp paprika 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp ginger 1 tsp pepper 1 tsp cayenne 3 cups water 2 onions, chunked 3 lbs chicken, cubed

Short and sweet

2011-08-25T22:18:00.000-07:00

Short and sweet: that's the best way to describe this romance from Soul's Road Press, written as Andrea Loewen. In "Flowers for Marjory," when Marjory develops an allergy to the thing she loves most, her boyfriend comes up with a creative and romantic way to bring it back into her life. Available in a variety of electronic formats Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

"Perfect for spanking fans"

2011-08-23T00:06:00.000-07:00

"Guarding Her Body" by Andrea Dale now available from Soul's Road Press! Catriona’s plans to leave her cheating fiancé are thwarted by Jake, the smoldering bodyguard hired to keep her safe. When Jake learns of her plans, he agrees to help her…for a price. The cost? A blistering spanking…and the promise of more. A steamy hot short story from a legendary erotica heavy-hitter. “Perfect

Trippin'

2011-08-19T01:05:00.000-07:00

We have two trips planned in the foreseeable future. Nothing major (sadly, the writers’ cruise to Mexico on which I was to be teaching was cancelled) but we’re really looking forward to both of them. So amidst everything else I’ve got on my plate, I’ve been poking around to make some tentative plans. That’s where I need your help. If you have suggestions for either of these places

Mystery fruit

2011-08-14T17:10:00.000-07:00

Someone wonderful and lovely sent us another Edible Arrangement! But all the card says is "Get well soon we miss you"! I know all of my readers are wonderful and lovely…but which one of you sent this? I can't send every one of you a thank-you card! Soooo…spill!

Argh!

2011-08-07T23:59:00.000-07:00

So, I’ve been terrible about keeping up with my Done lists. They seem to end up on my To Do lists, which I’m kinda not supposed to be keeping. But if I don’t, I forget stuff. Oh, the things that fall out of my brain…. Here's this weekend: Saturday’s Done List put away four loads of laundry (one previous load plus three today) washed four loads of laundry (darks,

Ken update: Hand, hand, fingers, thumb!

2011-08-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of Ken updates…it’s just that there hasn’t been much of anything to update. Until today, that is. Rejoice! for Ken no longer has pins sticking out of his knuckles and a big clunky thing immobilizing his hand and wrist! *\o/* The pins themselves were almost anticlimactic—they just slid right out. He said it felt a little weird, but there was no pain. His hand’s swollen

Busted!

2011-08-01T22:18:00.000-07:00

So I was scanning blogs on GoogleReader today and noticed that Rachel Kramer Bussel mentioned an anthology she has a story in…as does Sophie Mouette (my alter ego with Teresa Noelle Roberts). And I thought, did I totally forget I had a story sale? Because I don't remember this one…. O.o ::laughs and laughs:: When I investigated more closely, I realized it wasn't an anthology edited by Rachel.

How does this work again, exactly?

2011-07-29T23:59:00.000-07:00

Cassidy, our holistic health coach (hi! We’re Californians!), challenged me today to keep a Done List. Not a To Do list (we’re working on how to suss that out), but a list of what I did today. Because I have a bad habit of ending the day with “crap, I didn’t do shit today,” when in fact I did a lot. Especially given the stresses I’m dealing with right now. So. I didn’t write them down when I

Contest winners!

2011-07-25T23:45:00.000-07:00

And the winner is…Herman! The story is off to Glimmer Train, and crzydemona, you’ve won the grand prize! Actually, since there were three runners-up, I’m also going to give prizes to Anonymous (Ernie, is that you?) and Cayswann for Ernie/Ernest. (crzydemona also suggested Clarence, and I’m feeling generous, so she’s going to get two prizes.) Here’s the deal, folks: Email me (or leave a

Let the voting commence!

2011-07-22T18:36:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all the people who participated in my naming contest! Dudes, this was a hard one! I think next time I’m going to have to restrict it to one name per entrant. Because it amuses me, I’m going to share with you my thought processes in narrowing down the field. If you just want to see the top three, skip to the end. But you’ll be missing all the fun. First I had to take off the

New Andrea Dale story available from Soul's Road Press

2011-07-21T16:10:00.000-07:00

"Now You See Her" A city couple finds erotic inspiration in high-rise voyeurism by spying on the woman’s old college roommate dominating her latest naïve assistant. A short story of sex in the city, complete with cameras and a dollop of humiliation and kink, from a legendary erotica heavy-hitter. “Now You See Her” is a companion story to “Come to my Window,” also available from Soul’s Road

Naming help needed

2011-07-18T23:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, I need a name. A somewhat nebbish male name. A not unrealistic name (e.g, Mortimer or Englebert), but a name that a geeky high school kid should never have been saddled with, that just cements his unpopularity. The story is modern (literary mystery). "Who are we playing against?" I asked X who, despite having lived here his whole life (and his father is one of the janitors, because name

More Scary Kisses ebook

2011-07-17T00:12:00.000-07:00

More Scary Kisses, an anthology of paranormal romances that includes my story "Matchmaker," is now available as an ebook! So if you've been waiting to read it on your Kindle, now's your chance!

"College Reunion" now available from Soul's Road Press

2011-07-16T14:08:00.000-07:00

"College Reunion" by Andrea Dale At her college reunion, a woman tells her husband a steamy story about overhearing a couple having sex in a study lounge. Little does she know the tale will inspire her husband to bend her over an old oak desk in the very same lounge and give her bottom a blistering she won’t soon forget…. A sexy spanking short story from a legendary erotica heavy-hitter. "With

Updatey-date

2011-07-16T00:14:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the lack of entries lately. A combination of not much to report and too much stuff to do. Which seems like an oxymoron, but it really isn't. Also, our Internet has been flaky and/or completely out for two days, coming up on three. The iPad (and Bluetooth keyboard) helps a lot, but isn't ideal for certain projects. Like anything that involves an attachment of something that needs

Help needed

2011-07-14T20:36:00.000-07:00

We do need help with a few things, if you can spare the time: • Someone to change the tire on Ken's bike. He can supervise/instruct. Preferably early on Friday so he can have the BMW dealer pick it up later that day. • Someone to go to Costco with me to schlep heavy things (cat litter, flats of soda). Sometime next week is fine. • Folks to visit Ken. He really does need friends to keep him

To do, doing, done

2011-07-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

I actually accomplished a fair amount yesterday…guess my To Do list was the right level of gentle but do-able: made appt with orthopedic surgeon re: Ken’s hand wrote and enveloped check to lovely friend who rescued Ken’s bike from the tow yard wrote and enveloped letter to Nevada Highway Patrol requesting a copy of the accident report did dishes put away laundry (finally) threw in another

Question for my foodie friends

2011-07-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

A generous local friend made some food for us, which is awesomely awesome, and I have a question about one of the dishes in terms of reheating. It's tilapia, sliced lemons, and celery in a lemony sauce. There's a bit of something else green I can't identify; possibly green onions? Anyway, it arrived last night just-cooked and was quite yummy. Tonight I reheated just the fish and celery and sauce

I dunno. You tell me.

2011-07-11T23:59:00.000-07:00

Many of you, upon learning of Ken’s accident, made a point of reminding me to take care of myself during this crazy time. And I appreciate that, because while I intellectually know that I can’t be there for Ken if I’m not mentally and physically healthy and rested (and I always give the same advice to others), I’m not necessarily good at putting it into practice. Also, I know I’m not good at

Home, the longer version

2011-07-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

So. We are home. Home sweet home…. Since June 7, I have been home 4.5 days. I really don’t want to leave again for a good long time, so it’s a good thing most of this month has been cancelled! We’d been saying we wanted a rainy weekend to curl up and burn through the shows saved on the DVR and even a few movies…well, now we have it. Anyway. For the IBR, Ken had purchased insurance that would

Home

2011-07-09T03:05:00.000-07:00

We are home. We left at about 5 pm and arrived home at 2:30 am. I never want to drive that fucking long in my life again. Although Ken was adorably loopy on pain medicine.... "I am agreeful," he said at one point. Which is one of the reasons I love him, of course. Did I mention that on Hwy 14, a fucking coyote was in the middle of the road? It's 3 am and Ken is asleep on the media room couch and

New stories from Soul's Road Press

2011-07-06T17:10:00.000-07:00

Two new lesbian stories from me as Andrea Dale! "Subtle" Two lesbians discover whips and chains aren’t always necessary…that sometimes, it’s more fun to submit in psychologically kinky ways. A steamy hot short story by a legendary erotica heavy hitter. “Subtle” originally appeared in Secret Slaves: Erotic Stories of Bondage (Alyson Press, 2006) Cover image by Artem Merzlenko / iStockPhoto

"Memories for Sale" in Best Erotic Romance

2011-07-06T15:36:00.000-07:00

Whee! I sold "Memories for Sale" to Best Erotic Romance! It's available for preorder and is due out in December 2011. I wrote "Memories for Sale" back in 2006, but it's never hit quite right with an editor until now. Sometimes that's how these things work: a perfectly good story takes time time to click with the right editor. (Just like not every story will click with every reader.) I'm chuffed

Ken update: Busting out soon

2011-07-06T12:06:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the lack of update yesterday… We’ve been busy trying to coordinate things like transport and insurance and police reports and whatnot. Plus a friend took me to the Apple store to replace Ken’s twisted-up phone (whereupon I also bought a cover for my iPad, a replacement charging cord for my iPad, and earphones for Ken’s phone), then took me out for lunch and a long ride around and

Ken update: That damn coyote

2011-07-04T17:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day, everyone! Baby, you’re a firework!* Ken’s doing great. :-) Yesterday afternoon he announced he was sick of his liquid diet, so he had solid food for supper and then again for breakfast today. He’s off oxygen, sat in a chair for breakfast, and took a walk around the halls with a therapist. He’s fine using his left arm to eat, etc.—it doesn’t hurt bending from the

Ken update: Thanks, hand info, transport

2011-07-03T10:48:00.001-07:00

First, Ken would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of support—the blog/FB/Twitter comments, the emails (I hacked into his account), the folks who’ve gone out of their way to stop by. You are all freaking amazing! Second, for some reason I can’t access the hotel’s internet in Ken’s room. I can get it fine in my “hotel” room, which is on the other end of the complex. I’m going to see

Ken update: Soon out of ICU

2011-07-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

Ken will be moved out of ICU today (once the order processes through), which is a big step in the right direction! Now he can have clear liquids, which he’s really happy about because he’s been very thirsty (it’s very dry in the hospital). They also expect to get him up and walking a little bit. Wow. He’s sore all over, which isn’t surprising at all, but thankfully no sharp pain; the drugs

Ken's going to be okay

2011-07-01T14:05:00.001-07:00

First of all, Ken’s going to be fine. That’s the most important thing. He was in an accident outside of Reno at about 6:30 pm last night (Thursday night). He was life-flighted to Renown Trauma Center in Reno. He was coherent enough to give the ER my name and phone number, and two different people said he was polite. :-) Neurologically he’s fine, and he also has no spinal injuries. The

IBR primer

2011-06-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

I’m going to be posting (mostly on Facebook and Twitter) about Ken’s progress in the Iron Butt Rally, so I thought it would be useful to do a quick primer here, to get everyone up to speed on what I’ll be babbling about. The IBR is an 11-day, 11,000-plus-mile endurance motorcycle event, kind of like a scavenger hunt via motorcycle. Bonus locations are all over the US (including Alaska) and

"Just Be"

2011-06-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

I was sure Sarita was going to leave me; the signs were all there. I was too wrapped up in law school to give her the love and attention she needed. Imagine my surprise when I learned that what she really planned was to teach me how to let go and…just be. A romantic lesbian short story from a legendary erotica heavy-hitter. “Just Be” originally appeared in Iridescence: Sensuous Shades of

Things to read! And some are free!

2011-06-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

I’m traveling again (or is it still?) and will be traveling for most of the month (now it’s GA, visiting my sister; then it’s 11 days in Oregon for a workshop; then the IBR finish and Labyrinth of Jareth)…so I apologize for my not being here much. And for the fact that this is kind of turning into a writing/publications blog. I will do better, I promise. I have lots of things I want to write

Paranormal erotic romance - and it's funny, too!

2011-06-03T23:59:00.000-07:00

"In a Handbasket" When the demons set their sights on underwear model Sam Hanes, demon hunter Delia Vance comes to his rescue. But the only thing burning hotter than hell is the attraction Delia and Sam feel for each other…. A scorchingly sexy, hellaciously humorous short story. Available in a variety of electronic formatsAmazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

My morning so far

2011-06-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

My morning so far: 1 am set alarm for 7:30 am to take cats to vet. ugh. 7:30 am alarm goes off 7:31 am look across room. why does Ken’s clock say 6:31? 7:32 am go to office, determine from cell phone that it reallly is 6:32 am 6:33 am WTF happened to my alarm clock? reset time/alarm 7:09 am give up trying to go back to sleep The next 20 minutes consist of failing to

The end of the world as we know it...

2011-06-01T00:34:00.000-07:00

"Famous Last Words" You think you’re panicking about the e-book revolution? How do you think the print books feel? A funny short story about the end of the publishing world as we know it…. Available in a variety of electronic formatsAmazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Sweetly confessing two new story sales!

2011-05-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

I’m thrilled to announce two new sales—well, a sale and a half, really—to the über-legendary Violet Blue! “New Day, New Life” (as Andrea Dale) and “Sacred Places” (as Sophie Mouette, written with Teresa Noelle Roberts) will both appear in Sweet Confessions: Erotic Fantasies for Couples in July 2011! Interestingly, both stories involve travel, couples out of their natural environment and

Happy. Really, just happy.

2011-05-28T16:58:00.000-07:00

I’m feeling very blessed right now, very grateful for all I have in my life. Oh, it’s not perfect, of course. I just deleted a paragraph about what’s not good, what’s weighing on me, things I need to improve and things that are out of my control. That’s not what this post is about. Here’s what the past few weeks have brought me: A hugely beneficial workshop on the beautiful Oregon

New cover

2011-05-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a new cover—what do ya'll think? Is this a story you'd want to read?

One of those to-do list thingies again

2011-05-20T02:00:00.000-07:00

Things to Do Today pack for trip pick up supplements mail package drive to AZ while answering email and generally getting caught up via my new iPad. Shiny! (Note: If I’m working, Ken will be driving. Really, people. Logic is your friend.) Things to Do Tomorrow celebrate the Rapture at a Styx concert with Ken and Sara and her Helen Things to Do After That drive to NM

Fangirl squeeing

2011-05-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

Tuesday last we went to a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live, because Nathan Fillion was the main guest, and, well, Nathan Fillion! The way these things work is that you get free tickets online. Yes, free, although it’s first-come, first-served, so if they run out, that’s that. So we get there and wait in line outside the El Capitan Theatre, where one of the PAs from the company that handles the

What I've been doing and what I'm about to do

2011-05-16T23:56:00.000-07:00

Good gods, ya’ll, I’ve been traveling so much I’ve barely had time to keep up on work, much less update about what I’ve been doing! I spent this past weekend in Oregon at another workshop (this one business-oriented rather that writing-oriented). I swear, as soon as we hit Lincoln City, all I could think was “But I wanna stay the whole week and write!” but alas, no. The workshop was intense

The Geek Agenda, featuring this here geek

2011-05-15T21:46:00.000-07:00

Heads up: I'll be on The Geek Agenda radio show tomorrow (Monday), 7-8 pm Pacific. Here's hoping I don't sound like a dork! :-)

Mom's Nite Out (come see me!)

2011-05-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the short notice, but if you're in the Ventura area this Thursday afternoon/evening and want to hear a reading/discussion avec moi, here are the deets: Mom's Night Out Ventura Harbor Thursday, May 5, 4-7 pm Free classes, including aromatherapy, art, Hawaiian dance, Zumba, yoga, Greek dance, belly dance. Resources, fun stuff, and displays from spas, fitness instructors, breast cancer

Mondayed (in which there is tiredness and squeeing)

2011-05-02T21:53:00.000-07:00

So, like, I still have a cold, and it sucks. Friday night I was feeling better, and in fact didn’t even succumb to the Nyquil-Drugged Sleep of the Damned. Normally the first night I can go w/o Nyquil is a clear sign that I’m on the mend. Not this time. I suppose I could’ve been gentler with myself at Darach Anniversary (which was a lovely, if small, event—the day was beautiful and the friends

Free story! "From Bitter to Sweet"

2011-05-01T18:30:00.000-07:00

Free story! "From Bitter to Sweet" by Andrea Dale An erotic lesbian short-short story about breakups, new love, and chocolate. Go ahead—savor it. Let it melt on your tongue…. “From Bitter to Sweet” originally appeared in Got a Minute? 60 Second Erotica (Cleis Press, 2007) Read it free in a variety of electronic formats at Smashwords ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And yet another sexy story! "

Burbank Book Festival (come see me!)

2011-05-01T17:57:00.000-07:00

I'll be on a panel discussion and also signing A Little Night Music this coming Saturday at the Burbank Book Festival. If you're in the area, stop by and say hi! --- Burbank Book Festival May, 7, 2011 1:00 PM Buena Vista Branch Library 300 N. Buena Vista St. For more information call: 818.238.5620 The City of Burbank will be celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. To coincide

Overdone

2011-04-28T23:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I overdid it. Clearly. I actually went to bootcamp and did what I considered a light workout, and it felt healing to be in the sun and fresh air (I realized I hadn’t left the house since I got home Sunday night, except to visit the kitlings). But then we had hair appts and went to Trader Joe’s afterwards, and I then spent the rest of the afternoon on the sofa, watching mindless TV

Indoors and out - new stories available

2011-04-28T17:11:00.000-07:00

Soul's Road Press some new Andrea Dale stories available: One that takes place in the big city and two set in the great outdoors. Enjoy! "Come to My Window" Small-town girl Katy craves the big city, the bright lights, the energy and passion…and the woman who would introduce it all to her. She finds all that and more in sophisticated Emilie, who presses her naked against a window and forces

Prescription

2011-04-26T23:44:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, when you’re sick, the best thing to do is to blow off being remotely produtive, curl up on the sofa with Chinese takeout and wine, and spend the evening watching bad movies (Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny) and good TV (Bones and Doctor Who) with your beloved. I do believe I’ll feel better tomorrow….

Lurgified but not completely down for the count

2011-04-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday was largely a Total Fail, due to my inability to accept that when I’m sick, I simply can’t do as much. This seems self-evident, but it is to everyone but me…. Part of the problem is that towards the end of my trip, I was being as productive as I could along with everything else I was doing (spending time w/my sister in the hospital, driving my mom from GA to NY, etc.), and I

Just a few things on the To Do list....

2011-04-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

I got home from my trip to GA/NY last night, and waited up for Ken to get home even though I was exhausted. I got a few things accomplished, but not much, thanks the exhaustion. Still, we got to bed relatively early (for us) and I figured I’d sleep the Nyquil-drugged sleep of the damned and be able to hit the ground running this morning. The massive tension headache that turned the tendons

Two more stories up at Soul's Road Press

2011-04-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

"How the Little Mermaid Got Her Tail Back" Ella believed her kinky desires were perverted and sick. It takes a special man like Philip to teach her that she isn’t wrong, or different, or broken. Through bondage and exhibitionism, he gives his little mermaid her tail back. A deliciously sexy short story by a legendary erotica heavy-hitter. “How the Little Mermaid Got Her Tail Back” (in a

Run, Charlie, run!

2011-04-22T09:45:00.000-07:00

So we get home to upstate NY after two days of driving from GA, and I tell Mom to get the water turned on while I unpack the car. I tell her I’m leaving the door open to (a) air the condo out and (b) I don’t have to put things down to open the door every time I come in with a load of stuff. She says “No, mice will get in!” I’m all, “Mom, we’re both stomping around right by the door. Any

What I’m Working On, April 2011 edition

2011-04-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

Not quite a Me!Me!, but various authors* have been listing, or list on a regular basis, the projects they’re working on, and since I find it fascinating, I thought I’d do the same. (You might not find it fascinating. Let me know.) Perhaps not regularly (I can’t quite seem to shoehorn concepts like regular and schedule into my life), but occasionally. Or, at least, now. Out of the Frying Pan,

Wow! Great review!

2011-04-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

A reader posted this amazing review of my story "From Bitter to Sweet" on Amazon: Andrea Dale's "From Bitter to Sweet" is snappy, sexy, and a little sarcastic - and the best piece of breakup erotica I have ever read. A little angry and very hot, Dale's smart narrator makes her way from a breakup to new love, and it's an edible journey the entire time (and exactly what I needed as I deal with my

Two Wild West-themed stories from Soul's Road Press

2011-04-14T15:29:00.000-07:00

"Lily la Rouge, or The Ghost of Erotic Presents" Can the ghost of a Wild West madame help a woman feel sexy again and reignite the lost spark in her marriage? A sexy and romantic short story by a legendary erotica heavy-hitter. “Lily la Rouge” originally appeared at Fishnet.com, 2005. Available in a variety of electronic formatsAmazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Free fantasy story available!

2011-04-10T14:34:00.000-07:00

"What Dragons Prefer" — free fantasy short story from Soul's Road Press! A dragon slayer arrives to rescue a threatened town, but the real threat and the dragon’s true desires are not necessarily one and the same. “What Dragons Prefer” first appeared in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Fantasy Magazine, Fall 1994; and republished in Dragons: A Celebration of the Greatest of Mythical Creatures, January

Ideas and inspiration

2011-04-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

“Where do you get your ideas?” It’s the question every writer hates. (Well, I kind of hate “Have I read anything you’ve written” even more, because how stupid a question is that? Do I look like a mind reader?!) The fact is, it’s hard to pinpoint where an idea came from. It can be as vague and fleeting as a song lyric or an offhand comment or a painting or even something I’ve read. Not in