Birthdays: Louis-Ferdinand Céline (1894), Rachel Carson (1907), Herman Wouk (1915), Tony Hillerman (1925), Marijane Meaker (1927), John Barth (1930), Lisbeth Zwerger (1954), Dashiell Hammett (1894), Harlan Ellison (1934), John Cheever (1912), Juliet Ward Howe (1819), Sharon Bolton (1960)

Tip: If the big picture of writing an entire book overwhelms you, break it down into smaller bites. Once scene, one chapter, even just one paragraph. Break it down to what you can handle.

Thought for the day: “A writer is like a bag lady going through life with a sack and a pointed stick collecting stuff.” – Tony Hillerman

Jumpstart: You’re to be substitute host on a late night talk show. Who would your guests be? What would you do for your special segment? What music or musicians would you have on?