Under the golden glow of the street lamps along Largo dos Lóios, she thought she something move behind her. Or someone.

In thinking like a writer, I’m on the lookout for the setting.

I’m a romantic at heart. The soft yellow hues of the southern European narrow streets at night are full of wonder, mystery, and warmth. What goes on behind the shutters late at night? Who’s that leaving early in the morning? What’s the history of that building? Now who built it, but who lived in it last year? And what happened to her?

It’s just a scene. A single glimpse above the city as we watch the fireworks. Could it be the scene of a story? A book? A series? Who knows.

But it’s just so much fun to imagine.

That’s what 2018 has already brought: imagination.

Scene plus imagination plus experience plus writing. Sounds like a recipe for a year I’d like to be a part of. I think I’ll make 2018 my year.

Will it be yours?