When I was studying abnormal psychology in college, I read a case study of an unusual mental illness. It was so fascinating that I thought it would be the perfect vehicle for a novel. Thus my idea for a story was born, but it would be eight years before I felt I had acquired the writing skill to turn it into a book.

During those eight years, I thought of it many times, and allowed the idea to grow in my head. Then once I started writing, it took more than two years to complete. My point is that an innovation, whether it is a song, electronic gadget, or a new way of doing business, takes time.

It’s rare that an idea drops fully formed into someone’s head. Even when it seems that way, there are countless experiences that paved the way for that idea to form. Most ideas begin with a problem that needs to be solved. Some problems are obvious and demand your immediate attention. You are forced to face the situation and come up with a solution, pronto. Other times the problem isn’t so recognizable.

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