11 Dec A Happy Week
Good Saturday morning!
The odd time in life, something so lovely happens that you have trouble believing it. Earlier in the week, I received a Google Alert about Cold Mourning, and when I opened the link, discovered a news release saying the Cold Mourning was the second most borrowed audiobook in the UK public library system for 2021. I was gobsmacked, not even reading the rest of the list until after I’d shared it with my publisher. It was only then that I realized Butterfly Kills was in eighth place on the audiobook list. But the best was yet to come.
Two mornings later, I took a break from housework to check my emails. A reporter from The Guardian asked if I’d be interested in answering some questions for an article she was writing about my two audiobooks making the top ten loans in the UK library system. This took a moment to sink in too. I sent my responses and the resulting article appeared online a few days later. I’m still pinching myself that I made the book section of The Guardian! One of life’s special moments in a book career for sure.
Also this week, our Crime Writers of Canada regional event took place Tuesday evening by Zoom, simultaneously broadcast on CWC’s Facebook live page. We had 13 authors take part, each with four minutes to speak about their latest book and to read from it if they chose. We had a nice balance of authors reading or speaking, and Mary Jane Maffini kept the hour light and moving along at a good pace. Our tech person, Payton Mitchell ensured that the broadcast went off without a hitch. We also partnered with Perfect Books on Elgin Street in Ottawa, and you can still order copies of the books by phone, online or in-store. We certainly have some talented writers in this region with some fascinating books.
I had trouble getting into writing gear this week. I’d hit a roadblock in the plot and needed time to decide on the next steps. By Thursday, I was back writing and got a few thousand words typed by last night, reaching 52,000 words. It’s the pacing of the last third of the book that now occupies my planning. I don’t want to end too soon, but have to make certain not to add filler. I always remember my friend Katherine Hobbs telling me that she went to hear an author speak (not sure their name) and they said that writing a mystery was akin to a stripper taking off their clothes. You have to do it slowly, reveal bits at a time and build up to the final hurrah. In that case, I’m about down to my underwear and trying to make this last part exciting 🙂
This week on 7 Criminal Minds blogspot, I kicked off the posts on Monday with my book suggestions for the year. My fellow bloggers are giving their picks over these two weeks so be sure to check out their choices.
After a snowy week, we’ve got a rainy, icy Saturday going on. I’m tucked inside for the day, not wanting to drive anywhere. Another cup of coffee and a good book seem like a better way to start off the morning. I hope you also have a great day, snuggled in with a book.
