Birthdays: Harper Lee (1926), Lois Duncan (1934), Terry Pratchett (1948), Carolyn Forché (1950), Amy Hest (1950), Diane Johnson (1934)

Tip: If you’re writing a series, set up a consistency spreadsheet with character names, attributes, cars, house, etc., settings, anything that you might need to keep straight. Do this with your first book and all following ones so you know who’s who and what’s what.

Thought for the day: “The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” – Terry Pratchett

Jumpstart: Today is your character’s birthday. What’s the best gift you’ve gotten? The worst? From whom? Why was it the best or worst? Would your character agree with you?