Five Words I Love to Hear

[Peg Herring]

I won't keep you in suspense: "I couldn't put it down."

Now that's what keeps a writer writing. The form varies, of course. Last night it was almost a complaint: "I didn't get anything done yesterday because I had to know what happened." No matter what the tone, the message is the same. The book, my book, grabbed a woman's attention and kept her from other tasks she meant to accomplish. I imagine dirty dishes in the sink, the cat drinking out of the toilet, and leftovers hastily reheated while she keeps one eye on the adventures of my heroine. Her whole schedule for the week must be rearranged to make up for a day spent reading.

Bad for her, maybe, but music to a writer's ears!