Never in all the world would I have believed I could, or would, write a non-romance novel that had anything to do with all branches of the military.

But I am.

I decided this evening to follow Jennie Crusie's advice, which is "Write the novel that scares you." (RWA National Conference, Dallas, Tx, July 2004)

So I am.

It won't be the only thing I write this coming year, for I want to maintain sanity and a sense of fun (and continuity) in my writing life. So I'll continue on a couple different chick/hen lit novels that are in my brain and partially down in memory in my computer, as well as this new one.

My most beloved and respected friend slash mentor slash excellent writer slash all around rockin' good person, Jenn, said something powerful to me today. She said, "Your career will be a long one, so there's no need to rush this novel" (and if I mis-quoted the last part, forgive me, Jenn - but the first part is now seared into my brain).

No, there's no need to rush this novel. But there's something inside me driving the process. And the ideas are flowing. So perhaps, in the coming year, a partial, an outline, a partially outlined first part of a first draft isn't a bad goal to strive for.

And it just might touch a national nerve. So there's that.