Reporting In


Right off, Happy birthday to my mother-in-law, who turns 91 years young today--she still looks fabulous, doesn't she? I should age so well!

It's Day 8 of Nan's great 21-Day Commitment to Writing, and it's been pretty successful so far. I've gotten up every morning, sat down at the computer, and written. No email, no Facebook, no Twitter--no Internet at all for one hour. Leaving my bed and warm snuggle-y Husband is the hardest part actually. ;-)  Not checking Facebook, Twitter, and email first thing has been easy, way easier than I expected. And an interesting side effect has been that my curiosity about FB, Twitter, and email has diminished during the day.

I am a confessed smart phone addict--I text avidly (Liz can testify!) and frequently check Facebook, Twitter, and email on my phone. But since I started this journey--or is it a short jaunt since I've only committed to 21 days? Anyway, semantics aside, I'm not checking my phone so much. Dunno why not hopping on Facebook, email, and Twitter first thing in the morning has changed my other interwebs habits, but there you have it. It just doesn't feel as urgent somehow. Go figure.

Anyway, the book is coming along and although I don't want to jinx the storytelling, I can say that Sarah's story (Number 4 in the Women of Willow Bay series) is progressing nicely. Remember Sarah from Sex and the Widow Miles? She ran the resale shop at the Chicago women's shelter where Julie volunteered. I cried when I wrote Saturday morning's scene, which is a first for me. Not that I haven't cried on the reread of a scene, I'm guessing every author has. But this is the first time I've ever cried as I've actually written a scene. Sarah's is tough story to tell and has involved some disturbing research and intense emotions. I've depended on my own experience to write her scenes with her friends--how they are supporting and rallying 'round her. I'm so grateful for my dear friends and I'm very blessed to have a cadre of BFFs that I depend on for that kind of support.

Fall has arrived. The leaves are just beginning to turn and the walnuts are dropping onto the roof above my office, making me jump every time one thunks and rolls. Needless to say, the squirrels are in hog heaven in our backyard, scampering and chattering and chasing one another as they secure food for winter. The air is crisp and I'm thinking of homemade vegetable soup and mulled cider and pie! Husband makes the most amazing sugar-free, dairy-free pumpkin pie you ever tasted and I'm really getting in the mood for one.

Speaking of pumpkin, I had to confess to Liz, whom I tease mercilessly about her pumpkin spice addiction, that I had a pumpkin scone from Starbucks for lunch during my Indiana Romance Writers of America meeting on Saturday. Oh good golly! It was a treat and made me very grateful they were out of my usual chocolate croissant or I'd never have discovered this manna. I'm still not going to order a pumpkin spice latte because coffee should never be flavored with anything at all except perhaps, on occasion, Bailey's Irish Cream, but I'm definitely up for another pumpkin scone before they get replaced with whatever tasty treat Starbucks serves at Christmas.

So . . . 13 days to go  . . . I'll keep you posted.

Oh, and just a reminder: Liz's Christmas anthology, A Heartwarming Holiday releases today! Her story, The Magic Stocking, is delightful and I'm sure the others are too. Head on over and order it--it'll make you happy!

Comments

  1. Thanks for the shout-out. I still want one of those scones...

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    1. You're very welcome. We'll get a scone on our way down to Retreat, okay? ;-)

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  2. Wonderful Nan, I am looking forward to reading Sarah's story. Along with you, I am not a fan of pumpkin flavored coffee but the scone sounds yummy.

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    1. Thanks for the support, Carolyn. SO far so good! The scones are amazing--find a Starbuck's and indulge!

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  3. I have to admit I got my first PSL the other night and my dog went wild trying to get to it. Lol Who knew?

    And congrats on your success! Inspiring are you

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  4. Nan, good luck with your mini writing blitz. For me, that getting out of bed part is the hardest, too. But you can do it!

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