crooked potholder, then flop on the couch below the picture window and watch I Love Lucy. And it makes me, for a moment, feel like I just want to go home.

And that's what good writing does. So if Ashley Judd wants to write a children's book, I'll not hide hers at the back of the bottom shelf like I do Madonna's. Just kidding (fingers crossed behind my back). Because chances are it will be good.

And this is what can happen when you write. You sit down and you honestly believe you are going to write about fairy tales, and suddenly you are absolutely sure you are going to write about a messy writing room, but then—and to your own surprise—you have been whisked away to your childhood home. And how enchanting is that?

Now, where's that article about pirates that I've been looking for? Or was it Johnny Depp?