We're as surprised as you are.

So, this all started about a month ago--on October 15th, to be exact. November is National Novel Writing Month and, after a few false starts, I wanted to finally write a book. But as November 1st approached, I still had nothing to write about. Most authors have a book in their hearts that they labor for years to develop. I just like to write. I don't have any stories to tell. I explained this to my brother, Jim, as I tried to brainstorm a book idea.

To make a short story even shorter, it turns out he is the idea guy and I am the writer. Between the two of us, we make one (dys)functional author. Within two hours of that phone call, we had originated an entire novel series, given life to characters, and prepared an overall production and marketing strategy. And we never looked back.

Over the next three weeks, Jim gave me scene and plot prompts and I would develop them. I sent him daily drafts. He would respond with his changes and corrections. It was the perfect little two-step. Now, one month after that phone call, we have completed Book One of the series and have already started Book Two and have developed the main plot point of Book Three--with plans for more in the works!

Many of you have been shocked to learn we wrote a novel in only three weeks--or that we wrote one at all. But, they say you never work a day in your life if you love what you do and we have loved every minute of this process. It has never felt like a grind. It has never felt like "work." Work is what Jim does as a police officer when he has to arrest a neglected juvenile. It is what I used to do as a lawyer when I tried to explain to a confused father after a disappointing court hearing that he cannot see his children again this weekend. This book has been a joy, and I hope it reflects that in its humor and its humanity.

And, even though he is my little brother, writing with Jim has been easy. He is so creative and has fearless imagination. All I bring to the table is the fact I am a very fast and prolific writer. And I am still just enough of a bossy big sister to make sure everything gets done. Somehow, it just works. Who knew??