In October, I attended an author event featuring Harlan Coben who has recently published a memoir of his life as a writer, Plot Twist. Before this event, I admit that I had not read a novel by Coben, and now I have a few on my TBR list, especially if they are as entertaining as Plot Twist. A New Jersey native like myself, Coben writes about including memories into one’s fiction, and how any fiction has some truth to it because writers write what they know. Coben advises aspiring authors to do the writing, and that only writing is writing. Sounds obvious, right? But how many times do I sit down to write and find myself searching for the chapter in the writing manual that explained tension so well, or the podcast of the published author who published a multi-generational novel and had great advice for those of us looking to do the same. Only writing is writing. Everything else may be related to writing, but really is a distant cousin. Coben also advises not to blame the industry, the trends, the agents, the readers, for not paying attention to our work. Don’t whine. Just write. Only writing is writing. I was relieved to learn that Coben does not have a regular writing schedule but instead makes the time as he sees fit to get his writing in. Mind, he does get it in, and does make it a priority but not necessarily at the same time every day. What a relief! Coben also spoke about not having any hobbies. “Not a one.” He tried golf, but that did not work out. He said his friends think he is boring; he doesn’t care. I found this to be a relief to hear also, as my friends play pickleball, tennis, mah jong, and other fun activities, but I do not. For one, I’m clumsy and not coordinated. But mentally, my mind isn’t there. My mind is in my stories. My mind is with the characters I want to write, and the lives I want them to have. Writers, if you haven’t read Plot Twist, I recommend that you do. I am certain you will relate to Coben’s advice, and enjoy a few laughs along the way.