So I should be writing instead of playing around on the internet. So why aren't I? Because my stupid *&$! characters are giving me the *^#! whoopsies, that's why!

As usual, my writing is full of ups and downs - hope one second, elation as it comes together, total despair as it flounders and I come to a halt screaming - WHAT? WHAT!? Are you kidding me? Why? Why why WHY?

I have the keys from the keyboard imprinted in my forehead and I've drunk a gallon of Diet Coke trying to write this book. ARGH! Aaron, you're killing me! I've started it so many times, and I'm ... ARGH! It's right there in my grasp, then flicks away.

ARGH!!!!

Did I mention - ARGH!?

Not that I'm giving up. If I'd been going to do that, none of my books would ever have been written.

I've had people say to me - it's easy to write a book. You just sit and bang it out, don't you?

No, I sit and bang the keyboard. With my forehead. Many times. Over and over again. The desk gets its share of my forehead, too.

So why do I torture myself, you might ask? The answer is because I love writing, I love my characters, but there are definitely times when the writing isn't smooth going. There are times when the pages roll, the keyboard clacks merrily, and I slurp Diet Coke happily as the story unfolds. Then there are times when it kicks, starts and stops, nothing seems right, and I slurp Diet Coke sadly as the story does NOT unfold.

Alas...such is the life of a writer... But never fear, I've had my break and whine, I'm going back to shake Aaron around by his shirt front! (If I'm lucky, I'll rip it off). Oops, did I say that out loud?