Helloooo in there...

Been pretty quiet in my head of late.

Most people would be grateful. Not me. Used to be a time when the voices of my characters would clamor to be heard. They used to have a lot to tell me, most often things like where they were headed and how they would like to get there. Now, not so much. Matter of fact, not at all.

Nick and Flint MacAllister are arguing in a post-apocalyptic world, Randy's in a police station wondering what's become of his mother, young Sam's just gone out to steal breakfast in an oversized rainjacket, and Dottie's got a secret she hopes her husband doesn't discover. And Monk. Dear Monk. Monk sits on the top shelf pinging me with peanuts, his mad attempt to either juice up my imagination or at least keep me nourished until I can find it again. The rest eye me periodically wondering what's next on their agenda.

I've no idea. Literally. None. Does Nick save Flint's life and prove himself the next leader of the ragtag band of refugees? Is Randy's mom off getting married to the wealthy Mister Mister? Will Sam make it home before being beaten by the lowlife that lurk in the shadows, will Dottie's husband forgive her? And will Monk survive long enough to hear Kira say she loves him?

I dunno.

The ceaseless chatter of the internet is blocking my thoughts. I hope Monk has lots of peanuts.

Names

It took us four days to name our daughter. Strange only in that we chose our son's name years before he was born.

I think about their names sometimes and the way they were chosen and whether or not we made the right decision. The fact is, their names suit them. Much as I wanted to call my daughter Margaret - Maggie, for short - she's not a Margaret or a Maggie. (We've her father to thank for that save.) And, while I still love Joshua and all the reasons we had for choosing that name, it's not the right name for my son.

My characters are also like this. No matter how they get named, be it an inspiration that comes while I'm composing, or a name I've researched, by the time I call them a specific something - that's who they are.

Usually, it's not a problem, but lurking in the back of my head, and sometimes on paper, is a guy I've come to love. He's got a story to tell even if I can't find all the words to tell it just yet. His name is Donnie Monk. Most of his friends call him Monk. Trouble is, he looks nothing like the nebbish TV detective with OCD and an anxiety disorder who just happens to have the same surname. And try as I might, I can't get Donnie to change his name. I've suggested a different spelling: Munk, Monch, Munck - nope, Donnie and I are having none of it. We like Monk.

Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk who is so 

NOT Donnie Monk

I've got a sneaking suspicion if I tried to pitch this story, an editor would insist upon a name change. So, what's a writer to do? 

I've got no answers on this one, but I'm really hoping I get to debate it with an editor someday. 'Course, by that time, Monk the TV show may be a distant memory. See, Donnie, told ya not to worry.