Plot Sticking Point

There have been a few points in the writing of "Elliott" where I hit a snag.

At first the notion of a conflict with Mexico seemed absurd... that is, until I did some research into recent incursions into US territory by armed soldados in uniform and in military vehicles. Problem solved.

Then came the matter of having an accident for a national leader with immediate access to the finest medical care on earth. It had to produce injuries that might be missed during diagnosis until too late to save him, yet leave him in full possession of his faculties until the end. The simplest solution turned out to be the best.

This is what can come of a passion to translate an ancient personage into 21st Century America, keeping the plot true to the original history while accommodating the realities of modern America. This is a part of what makes writing so much delight.