So for my first step, I decided to write a flash fiction story.  I thought that if I had a project which was short (1,000 words or fewer), and had rules (like requiring links and some connection to Pasadena), it might be finite enough not to be overwhelming.

I had certain things I wanted to try with this first story:

So, as I said in The Plan, I would like to be able to write a novel or two.  Or more. And get them published. As it happens, I came across two items recently that helped me formulate the plan. 

 Okay, so here's the writing plan.  None of this is particularly original.  But it is enough of a plan that it actually gives me a roadmap, something I need if I'm to make any progress at all.  As to the plan itself . . .

I would like to be able to write a novel or two.  Or more.  And get them published. You know.  To make it easier to get a novel published, I want to create a track record by publishing shorter fiction, short stories.  At the same time, it struck me that I could use short stories to develop characters for the novel.