h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I sometimes feel I don't quite understand your stories.

But, on this occasion, I feel I'm Maria! And I'm on my fourth version

Hi, MVP, thanks for trying to read!

There is, quite possibly, nothing to understand! Just words, jumbled ideas and a pretty picture to keep me amused when I can't sleep.

Take this one - half three in the morning, re-reading a 'proper' story I'm trying to write, you know, one with a beginning, a middle bit and an ending?

Dodging a bit of research by opening emails and idly surfing. Writing Right coupled with a particularly savage editorial mauling, travel plans against a ticking clock.

Then some prat crashes a 4x4 into a bin lorry ten feet away, help given, offers of thanks, "anything I can do for you, just ask", scenario.

"Don't suppose you know anything about French cave paintings?" Blank stares.

So what if there was an easier way? A cheat code? Some way you could actually be present, anywhere, any when, to research a story?

What if the most successful authors have discovered this cheat?

Imagine some all-powerful mystical Editor, giving you the means to write a truly good work and all they ask is for you to send them a copy?

Nah, that's just fantasy!

(Somewhere in America, an Editor snorks away in his study, spinning a golden globe and holding a rather special pocket watch out for the cats to play with....)

I'd offer to do some editing in turn for a bit of research!