I'm on the home stretch for my next novel--due to the publisher November 19th--and really liking how everything is converging for the big, climactic scenes. I was worried for a while, because this particular novel is more complex, plot-wise, than any of my others. And it's featured a lot of single character on stage (a no-no amongst the People Who Know All Things About Writing), so there are large stretches of the book without much dialogue to propel it forward.

And yet, it's wrapping up nicely. I like it. At least at this stage. When it goes through four or five more successive drafts after some back-and-forth ideas with the publisher, I'm sure I'll get sick of it. But now, in the moment, it's a lot of fun.

I won't lie; writing this novel has been difficult. Part of it has been because of the particular challenges presented by this story and its main character. Part of it has been because "real life" got in the way for much of the year, making it difficult to concentrate on writing.

But what has helped me break free from that, in the last month, has been the television series Lost. Ever since this series debuted, I've had zillions of people say, "Man, I bet you love Lost." In truth, I'd never watched it--not because I hadn't wanted to, but because I generally don't watch much TV at all. It's not that I hate television, it's just that I don't make time for it. And once I'd missed much of the first season of Lost, I didn't want to get caught in the middle of it all, and so on and so on.

In September, when I had to go into isolation to recover from a medical procedure, my Lovely Wife sent me away with a nice parting gift: Season One of Lost on DVD. Well, what better time to start watching?

I have to say, 10 minutes into the first episode of the first season, I knew this show was going to be something special. I knew it was going to be something I wouldn't just like, but something I'd love.

And it has been, right up through episode 16 of Season Two (where I am currently--no spoilers, if you're going to leave a comment). I love the dynamics at work. I love the front stories and the back stories. I love the characters you're unsure how to feel about as their stories keep unfolding. I love it all.

And somewhere, during my mad Lost-A-Thon of the last month or so, a giant logjam broke on my own writing. Not because Lost has anything to do with my current story at all, but because something so well done inspires the creative juices. Often--usually, in fact--that creative inspiration comes from reading other writers. To this day, if I'm feeling stuck, I can pick up almost any Stephen King novel and get back into a groove.

But inspiration for writers doesn't always come in the form of other books. It comes in the form of any great, well-told story. Sometimes, an ever-unfolding story about an island of tortured souls.

So, yes, I'm probably the last person on earth to discover the joys of this program. But I intend to make up for--ahem--lost time. When Season 3's DVD goes on sale in December, you can bet I'll be standing in line to buy it. And when Season 4 premieres next February, you can bet I'll be watching.

After all, I have other books to write.