Okay, before we even start... did you know "doldrums" is a maritime word? I had no clue til I looked it up to make sure I was spelling it right (dulldroms? Dulldrums? Dolwhat?!) but however it's spelled, the blah, stagnant, and listless feeling's been riding me for about a month now.  Boo.

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Whenever anybody finds out I write, one of the first questions asked is, "Where do you get your ideas?"

I tend toward a philosophical nature, so a lot of my stories explore a theme like Good vs. Evil, the different types of Love, Revenge, Loyalty (when it's earned, when you need to keep it, and when someone is right in severing that loyalty).  I'll also often get a character stuck in my head and then build organically from that.  But what I've figured out over time is that when people ask me about ideas, what they often really want to know is: How can I actively sit down and come up with a story plot?  Tell me your tips & tricks.

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There's an interesting article from The Telegraph floating around Twitterland today about the creative bonus materials authors and brick & mortar bookstores are offering readers to lure them away from ordering books online and buy their books from local bookstores instead ("You can't get this book from Amazon").

Now this is a favorite topic of mine.  I've kicked around all sorts of ideas with friends - both readers and writers - about what could, theoretically, be done to lure customers back to stores.  When it comes to The Lure, I think a lot could be learned from the video game industry.  A lot of the video game industry's lure is based on pre-orders.  Pre-order the newest, hottest game and you get "exclusive multi player skin," or "two in-game costumes and magic items," a "code to download an in-game weapon," or pre-order and get a "free steelbook case" to hold your game.

I actually meant to post this yesterday but ended up away from the computer all day so wanted to post it today.  The Oscars were this Sunday.  Now, I'm not much of an awards show fan.  I tend to skip them, but I watched a good portion of it because I was hanging with friends.

Hi.  My name is Julie and I have a Girl Crush.  What's a Girl Crush?  Think Bromance with chicks.  It's the admiration of traits or skills of another chick, of liking another woman so much that you think, "Man, if we met I'd want to be friends with her!"

Last year, Lays potato chips launched what is probably one of the best promotional gimmicks yet (next to Monopoly asking people to vote in and out  game tokens) by inviting their fans to submit ideas for brand new flavors.  A few days ago, Lays announced the 3 semi-finalist flavors: Cheesy Garlic Bread, Sriracha (a hot pepper sauce pronounced SEE-rah-chah), and Chicken & Waffles.

FritoLays 3 Semi Finalist Do Us A Flavor Contest Winners

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I have a terribly strong philosophical nature and it has often led me into some weird conversations.  This weekend was no different.  I was out to lunch with a friend when I noticed - at the table across the way - a couple sit down with their kid.  The kid set about doing what all kids do at their age: grab the crayons and the place mat and start to draw.