Nora and I do most of our work together virtually. I drive up to Boonsboro for events but on the whole, I work in Raleigh while Nora works in her Fortress of Solitude. So we do many things by email — conveying information, ironing out details, discussing all things Justified, gardening tips. She lets me know when she’s finished a book (just did). I occasionally offer stellar advice like naming every heroine Laura (she’s yet to agree).

And then there are emails like yesterday’s (she said I coul...