On the bulletin board beside my desk is a sign that reads “The ultimate inspiration is the deadline,” a quote attributed to Nolan Bushnell, cofounder of Atari. Truer words were never spoken. Much as I hate to admit it, many times I’ve put off my own writing projects because … sigh … the muse just isn’t with me today. But something magical seems to happen when I sign a contract and commit to a deadline. I can be staring at a blank computer screen and beating my head on the keyboard at four in the morning—but the story will be written, edited, proofed, and ready to go by eight. Somehow just knowing I’m on deadline has the power to fire up my creative spirit.

Sometimes it’s just not your day. That’s how I felt a while back when I was overseas and learned my flight to the States was delayed. Yes, the desk agent told me, you will miss your connection. No, he said, there’s not another flight out of JFK tonight. Yes, there’s a flight out of La Guardia. Well, I suppose you could take a taxi. You’ll have about half an hour to clear customs, get across town, and make your flight. No, that’s not a lot of time, but … excuse me? You want a what??