Ah! First, the names. They are real, but in fact both are middle names. Harper Lee’s first name is Nelle, and when the book was published she chose Harper because she didn’t want to listen to everyone referring to her as “Nellie” (Nelle Lee).

Flannery is Mary Flannery O’Connor, and she often went by both names, as is the Southern custom. When my mother was irritated with me or needed my attention immediately, she would say “Linda Lee!” but that was rare. On the other hand, the southern double name is used pretty commonly.I don’t know, but I suspect that both Harper and Flannery might be family names. I had a friend once whose first and second names were Amalie Jordan – Jordan being a family name. And that’s what she was called.

The thought of you tapping out a story on a cell phone fills me with admiration. Of course you must have a phone that has an actual keyboard. I’m still using one of those flip phones from way back, where each key represents three or four letters. One reason I avoid texting is the hassle of working with that.

Concern about copyright, plagiarism and such is certainly valid. I just was reading a week or so ago about someone who’d posted a portion of a new novel or story online, and somehow the whole thing got leaked. It happens. If I had a manuscript finished, as you do, I certainly wouldn’t put a snippet online until I’d figured out exactly what I was going to do with it. I have the BEST name for a character ever, but I haven’t shared it with anyone, even my best friend. I need to write the story, so I can get her name out there!

You’re exactly right about the refilling process, too. There has to be a rhythm in every creative process. Or so I think. Anyone who keeps pushing and doing without those periods of rest and reflection isn’t helping themselves.

Thanks so much for the insightful and evocative comments. It’s always a pleasure!