I know that writers are supposed to write, but I have found that one of the most profitable exercises when writing is talking through a scene with a friend.

Why is talking so critical? Writing is such a solitary endeavor. You are thinking and thinking and thinking. Thinking through what someone would say, and how they would feel, and what they would do. You are thinking about vernacular or idiosyncrasies to make a character believable, and sensory experiences that would make the setting feel real. So much of this happens in your head… your head. You can imagine that all this thinking can lead to a sort of overload; symptoms of which may include gray matter oozing out your ears. The best way to alleviate ‘thought-pressure’ and prevent an imagination overload is to talk through the scene with a friend.

Now when I say friend, I mean the 6’5” tall seventeen-year-old that lives down the hall. My oldest son Lincoln has proven to be the best partner in crime I could have asked for. He knows the genre, loves good stories, and always gives his honest opinion. He also has an incredibly good memory, so I don’t need to catch him up to speed every time I want to talk through a new scene.

I’m sure these brainstorming sessions look different for every author, some are undoubtedly ‘stormier’ than others. Linc and I love these moments. We go for a walk, and I paint the new scene for him and talk through what I’m stuck on or ask what he thinks about a plot device or character’s choice. He always has an opinion. Sometimes I follow his advice and sometimes I don’t, but either way, the exercise of explaining it all out loud, in and of itself, proves extremely helpful. I’m hoping Linc will look back on these countless conversations, spanning three book series so far, with fondness. I know I will. Our talks have been so much more than helpful or even therapeutic… they have been precious!