Mugged by a new story this morning. There I was, minding my own business when a story entitled "High" came into my mind.
This is cause for a celebration, party of one! I love this phase of writing a new story, probably hand written, messy, flowing, let it rip. This isn't about editing and perfecting, this is about creating. Yes, it's my favorite part although I have learned to respect the other parts of the writing process as well.

Never am I happier than when I am being mugged by some new fragment, title, chapter, or character that is clamoring to be born.

It represents a return to basics: just write. To be held captive, mugged by a story to the point where you have to pull over while driving to write something down or be awoken in the middle of the night by its insistent pull to get itself written.

"High" is about a child growing up in a war torn neighborhood. Seeing the war through his eyes one way and then another once he is given pills to help with his night terrors brought on by bombings and shootings in his neighborhood.

I don't set myself up to be a victim of another mugging! I'm actually quite busy with other things. These muggings... they just happen. Don't go anywhere without a pen...