Birthdays: Andrew Marvell (1621), Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol (1809), Octavio Paz (1914), John Fowles (1926), Judith Rossner (1935), Marge Piercy (1936) Rene Descartes (1596)

Tip: For ideas, look for unanswered questions in other stories. For instance, while Luke’s busy with lessons from Yoda, what are Han and Leia doing? Or while Scarlett is saving the plantation, what is Rhett doing? While Sherlock is searching for clues, what is Moriarty doing?

Thought for the day: “The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.” – Rene Descartes

Jumpstart: Finish this scene: Finally, I checked the closet, and found… (use: glass, lizard, knife, flag)