Listen to advice. You don't know how many writer's conferences I've taught at where at least half the audience fights all the conventions of the field.
Jane HaddamI was the executive editor on a little magazine called Greek Accent, whose only claim to fame is that its art director went on to be the art director of Discover for many years.
Jane HaddamI tend to come up with people more than situations - most of my books start with a character.
Jane Haddam