London Bound

As I mentioned earlier, I am departing on a trip to London in the next few days — a joint family holiday (to see English relatives) and research trip for an upcoming book. That means spending a lot of time in museums and libraries between enjoying a series of fun, family get-togethers. What could be better for a non-fiction writer?

My suitcase has been retrieved from the closet and I am debating which clothes to pack — difficult for 2 reasons: a) writers don't leave the house much and, therefore, are not usually the owners of a smashing wardrobe, and b) we are in the midst of a season change and I don't know whether to pack cold or warm weather clothes. But that is a minimal worry compared to the weighty task of picking out books for the plane.

Nine hours on a plane each way is a challenge for me. The only way I can manage to avoid a full-blown panic attack is to have a carry-on case full of books, and it has been my mission this week to find my reading material.

Collected thus far is: an 800 page YA novel titled, This is All: The Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn (should keep me entertained for a few hours); The Butcher and the Vegetarian: One Woman's Romp Through a World of Men, Meat and Moral Crisis (I'm currently educating myself on issues related to ethical and sustainable eating, and my alternate career choice is to become a chef); The Lonely Planet Guide to Travel Writing (3rd career choice); and The Kindness of Strangers: Tales of Fate and Fortune on the Road (I may need some inspiration).

These are a start and I plan to add to my bibliographic arsenal over the remaining couple of days before I board the plane. If you have any further suggestions for me, please send them ASAP.

While I am very excited about my trip, I have one tiny note of regret. My huge, beautiful magnolia tree is full of blossoms that are almost ready to open. I will miss seeing the tree's glorious annual performance. Sigh. Life is full of complications.

But, I am London bound and excited! I will post again in early April when I'm back. Until then, adieu my friends.

Manuscript Finished

It's done! Signed, sealed and delivered.

Now, of course the waiting begins. And the self-doubt. Will anybody like it? Will my editor send it right back and say: "Try again." Ah well... the perplexing, complicated life of a writer. We love our work and we anguish over it.

What now? (besides waiting to hear) Clean my office, re-connect with my family and friends. And in a week: a trip to London. More about that later.

Until then, I hope you are having a happy and productive spring.

Cheers!

All Quiet

All is quiet on the Olympic front. The music has gone, and so have the hundreds of thousands of visitors who lined our city streets. In many ways, I feel sad that the party is over.

On the other hand... I'm hunkered down in my office, where the only sounds I hear are the birds singing outside my window. I am hard at work putting the finishing touches on a manuscript that is due in a week. Quiet is good.

Will be back once the manuscript is done. For now, I bid you adieu.

Shh...