VR, I don't know how much of my story you've read on the critique group, but this is Zoe's house. Only in the story, it's still in its prime. I grew up in this house, so it breaks my heart to see it like this. I keep my memories of it alive in my writing.
And, yes, Mason, this house has inspired all kinds of tales.
I remember the marvelous photographs you posted on Working Stiffs - so poignant! I can't imagine how hard it must be to watch a home that holds so many lovely memories fade away before your eyes.
It’s been a while since I wrote anything about my mom. If you follow me on Facebook, you’ve probably noticed a number of posts recently about long nights in the ER with her. I appreciate the kind concerns and prayers from friends and family. But while I know they’re well intended, the “hope she gets well soon” sentiments cut like a finely honed blade. Mom isn’t going to get well. She has good days and bad. More and more of the latter. Today’s “good days” are about the same as the bad ones a couple months ago. She has vascular dementia. In addition to her mental slippage, her legs have grown weak and uncooperative, adding to her pre-existing balance issues. We plead with her to call for assistance to get out of bed. Unfortunately, she can’t remember that she’s had numerable falls lately, so she continues to try to get up and around on her own, resulting in more falls. And in more trips to the ER. She has dislocated her right hip twice now. She’s hit her head more times
I am over the moon to share the news that Fatal Reunion has received an Agatha nomination (my sixth!) for Best Contemporary Novel! You can find the entire nominee list here . You would think that six nominations in, I wouldn't be surprised by the news. But I am more stunned with each one. I never take it for granted and never assume I'll ever walk that path or wear that "NOMINEE" ribbon at Malice Domestic ever again. I'm beyond grateful to those who wrote down my name on the nomination forms.
Here we are, beginning a whole new year. It'll fly by, I'm sure. As I age, the hours, days, weeks, and months seem to gain momentum. So it's only natural that my biggest hope for 2023 is to SLOW DOWN. Having said that, I still have goals for the year. Here's what the first quarter looks like. January: Complete my second/third draft of Detective Honeywell mystery #2 so I can meet my February 1 deadline. February: Tackle my 2022 accounting stuff. Once again, I failed at keeping up-to-date with recording expenses, so it all has to be done NOW. Also, work on a second round of edits on HELPLESS, the 12th Zoe Chambers mystery. And begin outlining the 13th one. March: Work on developmental edits on Honeywell #2 and begin drafting Zoe #13 If all goes according to the schedule, I should have THREE books coming out in the next twelve months! So much for slowing down. But I do plan to begin each day with some "me time," be it meditation, yoga, or exercise. Or a combina
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And, yes, Mason, this house has inspired all kinds of tales.