I really started writing by collaborating with friends. Before that, I wanted to write, but never got around to it. Believe me, it's different when you have a co-author or two breathing fire down your neck (ugh. . . watch me mix my disgustingly cliched metaphors)!

Writing friends are essential, because they share that special combination of self-absorbtion, obsession and vivid imagination that characterizes so many of us. Friends who are non-writers understandably reach a point when they have to tape our similie and plot and dialogue-filled mouth shut in order to stay sane. :-) See, with us writers, it doesn't matter because we aren't sane anyway.

I do hope none of you take offense at these jibes. They are meant mostly for me.