My "just do it" idea from last time did get me to finish a first pass. So now all I have to do it polish it up and send it out. In  any case I got it done and that is a good first step. maybe even a necessary first step.

You only have one day. So if you're interested in an online writers conference:
http://joanyedwards.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/register-now-free-muse-online-writers-conference-oct-7-13-2013/

And so we begin:
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/09/open-up-writing-opening-scene.html
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/09/real-life-diagnostics-pacing-and.html

Real scary monsters (or is that scary real monsters):
http://io9.com/12-real-parasites-that-control-the-lives-of-their-hosts-461313366