Ann asked James V. Smith Jr.:

How do you plan your novels? Do you still use scene and character notepads like the ones you incorporated in the You Can Write A Novel kit?

James V. Smith Jr. Welcome back, Ann. Thanks for the plug of You Can Write a Novel.

Answer: Yes. I still use that system, but it has evolved. Here's a bit of "inside baseball" for you. When I originally proposed that book, Writers Digest said no the idea of a writer's kit to go with the devices I suggested. A couple years later, somebody at WD came up with the idea. It came out in a new edition without my even knowing about it. When they did it, the idea was exceedingly brilliant. No matter who got the credit, I got the satisfaction of seeing it.

My latest evolution is a workflow that coordinates with the Dragon programs and other voice-to-text software. It will streamline and automate a lot of writer drudgery. In fact, some of the grunt work that writers have to endure to organize is going to become fun activity.

Stay tuned. I'm eager to get it out there.

Thanks again for engaging me, making me think. Oh, and giving me the chance to sell my books. Now . . .

Permit me to ask a question: Have you read into Prison of the Soul? Even as little as offered in the "Look Inside" feature on Amazon? Hope you'll do it and get hooked.

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