The story I'm writing has been told before. I knew that when I started it. Special Forces soldier meets the mistress of a drug cartel, falls for her despite what he knows about her, helps her escape through the jungle. It's been told a lot, actually, and that gave me pause. But I'm writing it anyway because my hero is pretty darn compelling.

After I wrote Hot Shot, every time I'd see a book about smokejumpers or Hot Shots, I'd have a mini-freakout. That was MY story, MY idea. Duh, Mary! I knew there is nothing new under the sun but still. My Africa story is different, even though Suzanne Brockmann also did an African story (Max and Gina's book), my archaeology story is different. But this one isn't too different but I'm writing it anyway.

I had an idea for a paranormal last week. I emailed Trish about it. I was reading Forbidden Territory yesterday (thanks, Paula, I'm all bleary eyed this morning and STILL can't sleep) and boom. There was my idea. Not in this book, but I suspect in a future book. Well, darn. I thought I was being all different again.

Will I write it anyway? Who knows? Not like I don't have a ton of ideas (including one about crashing on a deserted island --- where have I seen that one?) Maybe I will, depending on how compelled I am to write it.

What would you do?

The party was a smash. Everyone stayed till nearly 10! I have nothing on my plate today but a critique and some writing, a walk and cleaning the bathrooms. I don't even have to cook dinner because we have leftovers! I can live with that.