As writers, we’re always looking ahead, even when immersed in our current work in progress there is a part of our mind that is actively searching for the next idea.

For me, that idea usually comes as a flash of either character or situation.

Her Own Best Enemy: I knew I wanted to write about a mother’s desperate search for her son.

Intrusion: I knew this would be Cam’s story. The premise kind of grew out of his hopes and fears.

Yet untitled next in line: All I know about this one is that it’s going to be a hostage story.

I don’t know the hero’s name yet, but one day the prologue popped into my head in his voice and I jotted it into a blank Word document.

Now, I’m trying to stuff that undeveloped character back into a box while I finish revisions on Intrusion. Except he doesn’t seem too willing to go.