Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Frozen Beach Photo
Here's that shot of the frozen dune from Sunday's walk. I'm cold to the bone again just looking at it.
Frozen Beach
We walked on Sunday at Ferry Beach in Saco, when the temp was about 12 and the wind was blowing at about 25 so it was big-time bundle-up time. We took a nice photo of dunes glistening under a coat of snow frosted by freezing rain, but my computer is balking at inserting it. I will try again later.
So winter has Maine in its grip, finally. I comfort myself that we are halfway through January, that the light is already coming back, that in three short months it will be April. Burrowing in to my house, my office, my flannel-sheeted bed, I'm in active hibernation.
At home I'm cooking a lot, writing a lot, reading a lot. There are no outdoor chores save filling the birdfeeders, shoveling, and spreading ice melt in the driveway, which I did this morning with YakTrax on my shoes to save me a trip to the ER. The compost bin lid kept freezing on, so we've called a composting hiatus until the weather warms up. With that in mind, we keep seed catalogs in most every room, dreaming of our hands in the soil, planting, mulching, watering.
It's always amazing to watch winter's grip loosen and I'm imagining it already. Though winter was late to settle in, I'm feeling greedy, hoping for an early release.
So winter has Maine in its grip, finally. I comfort myself that we are halfway through January, that the light is already coming back, that in three short months it will be April. Burrowing in to my house, my office, my flannel-sheeted bed, I'm in active hibernation.
At home I'm cooking a lot, writing a lot, reading a lot. There are no outdoor chores save filling the birdfeeders, shoveling, and spreading ice melt in the driveway, which I did this morning with YakTrax on my shoes to save me a trip to the ER. The compost bin lid kept freezing on, so we've called a composting hiatus until the weather warms up. With that in mind, we keep seed catalogs in most every room, dreaming of our hands in the soil, planting, mulching, watering.
It's always amazing to watch winter's grip loosen and I'm imagining it already. Though winter was late to settle in, I'm feeling greedy, hoping for an early release.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Anticipated 2012 Reads
A sweet day today on the coast of Maine, not warm as yesterday, but lovely nonetheless. We walked at Crescent Beach, where the water was calm and the breeze was light. Here's a photo from the bluff at the southwest end, looking toward Richmond Island.
This particular beach is the setting for one of my favorite scenes in my work in progress, The Quick Pivot. It came together more easily than any other scene, and has needed the least revision.
My work this weekend on the QP has gone well. I'm about done with the personality transplant on that key female character and at least to my (admittedly biased) eyes, it's working. My pal and beta reader Maureen will be giving it a look next week. We'll see what she says.
On Monday I said I'd write about the books I'm eager to read in 2012. Here are five that make me long for an unencumbered day to curl up under a blanket on the couch and read without interruption:
1. The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman. I'm knee deep in this one now. I've enjoyed a number of Lippman books in recent years, especially those featuring kick-ass investigative reporter-turned-PI Tess Monaghan. This is her most recent standalone. A hundred pages in, I'm captivated by her characters and her plotting prowess.
2. 11/22/63 by Stephen King. I'd need two unencumbered days to read this start to finish. And a pot of soup on the stove, so I wouldn't even have to stop and cook. Peanut butter and jam sandwiches would work, too. I know from the reviews this one will be difficult to put down.
3. Trick of the Dark by Val McDermid. I was slow to find this wonderful writer, can't wait to read this mystery, set in Oxford, England, about solving the murder of a groom just after he took his marriage vows.
4. Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson. Also set in England, and featuring a male protagonist written by a woman (like the QP). I know the story involves saving a child and a dog. Should be great.
5. Clawback by Mike Cooper. This won't be released until March, and I'm counting the days. Mike, who I've chatted with a couple of times at the New England Crime Bake, has written a tale of an assassin taking aim at Wall Street financial guys who are underperforming, and the push back from the powers that be. It sounds like a fascinating read.
Time to move on to other Sunday night activities. Enjoy the start of your week.
My work this weekend on the QP has gone well. I'm about done with the personality transplant on that key female character and at least to my (admittedly biased) eyes, it's working. My pal and beta reader Maureen will be giving it a look next week. We'll see what she says.
On Monday I said I'd write about the books I'm eager to read in 2012. Here are five that make me long for an unencumbered day to curl up under a blanket on the couch and read without interruption:
1. The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman. I'm knee deep in this one now. I've enjoyed a number of Lippman books in recent years, especially those featuring kick-ass investigative reporter-turned-PI Tess Monaghan. This is her most recent standalone. A hundred pages in, I'm captivated by her characters and her plotting prowess.
2. 11/22/63 by Stephen King. I'd need two unencumbered days to read this start to finish. And a pot of soup on the stove, so I wouldn't even have to stop and cook. Peanut butter and jam sandwiches would work, too. I know from the reviews this one will be difficult to put down.
3. Trick of the Dark by Val McDermid. I was slow to find this wonderful writer, can't wait to read this mystery, set in Oxford, England, about solving the murder of a groom just after he took his marriage vows.
4. Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson. Also set in England, and featuring a male protagonist written by a woman (like the QP). I know the story involves saving a child and a dog. Should be great.
5. Clawback by Mike Cooper. This won't be released until March, and I'm counting the days. Mike, who I've chatted with a couple of times at the New England Crime Bake, has written a tale of an assassin taking aim at Wall Street financial guys who are underperforming, and the push back from the powers that be. It sounds like a fascinating read.
Time to move on to other Sunday night activities. Enjoy the start of your week.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Taking my time
No photo tonight, just some before-bed thoughts about writing and rewriting.
I finished the first draft of my current Work in Progress - The Quick Pivot - in August. I let it sit a while, like bread to rise, then gave it a full read to make sure the plot hung together. When I've got my fingers in it every day, it's easy to lose track of details.
Sure enough, I found one medium-sized hole in the story. I mended it, then put the manuscript into the hands of a few trusted readers who pull no punches. A few weeks later I was sorting through much useful feedback. I incorporated the easy stuff first and worked my way up to the delicate revisions that require the most time. By November I thought I was done, but more feedback sent me back to the keyboard, refining, polishing, trimming some more.
About a month ago I synthesized the comments of everyone who has read the whole thing and realized I'd been sticking my fingers in my ears and chanting LA-LA-LA so I couldn't hear one particular piece of criticism that most every reader had offered. One supporting character - important because she allows the reader a particular perspective on the protagonist - was all wrong.
My protagonist wouldn't have someone like her in his life. She was boring and self-indulgent, which adds up to annoying. I don't know why I resisted for so long hearing my beta readers' objections, but I'm glad I finally stopped LA-LA-LAing long enough for their wisdom to sink in.
My current task is to give this character a total personality transplant, to make her honest and real, flawed and interesting, all of which will add depth to my protagonist as well. It's slow going, but I'm plugging away, muttering to myself about the tortoise and the hare.
I finished the first draft of my current Work in Progress - The Quick Pivot - in August. I let it sit a while, like bread to rise, then gave it a full read to make sure the plot hung together. When I've got my fingers in it every day, it's easy to lose track of details.
Sure enough, I found one medium-sized hole in the story. I mended it, then put the manuscript into the hands of a few trusted readers who pull no punches. A few weeks later I was sorting through much useful feedback. I incorporated the easy stuff first and worked my way up to the delicate revisions that require the most time. By November I thought I was done, but more feedback sent me back to the keyboard, refining, polishing, trimming some more.
About a month ago I synthesized the comments of everyone who has read the whole thing and realized I'd been sticking my fingers in my ears and chanting LA-LA-LA so I couldn't hear one particular piece of criticism that most every reader had offered. One supporting character - important because she allows the reader a particular perspective on the protagonist - was all wrong.
My protagonist wouldn't have someone like her in his life. She was boring and self-indulgent, which adds up to annoying. I don't know why I resisted for so long hearing my beta readers' objections, but I'm glad I finally stopped LA-LA-LAing long enough for their wisdom to sink in.
My current task is to give this character a total personality transplant, to make her honest and real, flawed and interesting, all of which will add depth to my protagonist as well. It's slow going, but I'm plugging away, muttering to myself about the tortoise and the hare.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Best Reads of 2011
Another lovely day here in Maine, and another lovely beach walk. Late afternoon this time, the day having been consumed with other matters. At Pine Point, there was a definite breeze and the tide was coming in at sundown.
I woke this morning thinking about my most pleasurable mystery/suspense/crime reads in the year just past. Some were books published in 2011. Others had been sitting in my To Be Read pile for a while. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin. An absorbing story with well-drawn characters. For a couple of days it transported me to rural Misssippi. Silas and Larry are believable, flawed men with a powerful connection. http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/19243/Tom_Franklin/index.aspx
2. A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny. Boy, can she write about human nature. Wow, can she plot. I confess a deep fondness for Quebec, where Penny's wonderful novels are set, but it's her writing that mesmerizes me. http://www.louisepenny.com/
3. A Day of Small Things by Vicki Lane. I could not stop reading this book. Lane is deeply rooted in Appalachia, and her love for the region and its people comes through in every word. This was a step-aside from the Elizabeth Goodweather series featuring one of its most fascinating characters, Miss Birdie. The writing is luminous; the mystical happenings, enthralling. http://vickilanemysteries.com/index.html
4. One Was A Soldier by Julia Spencer-Fleming. A Mainer whose books are set in the Adirondacks, Spencer-Fleming writes with an open, fearless heart, touching on themes that lesser writers sidestep. This one is about young soldiers - especially National Guard soldiers - coming home to their domestic lives after emotionally draining tours in Iraq. http://juliaspencerfleming.com/
5. Under the Dome by Stephen King. I've read a lot of Stephen King over the years. This is one of his best. As always, it's a compelling case study about the triumph of good over evil, community over disunity, love over fear. If you've ever lived in a small town, you will recognize the characters in this novel, villains and heros alike. And despite its heft, you will not be able to put it down. http://www.stephenking.com/index.html
Later this week: What is on my 2012 reading list.
 |
| Pine Point shoreline at sunset |
I woke this morning thinking about my most pleasurable mystery/suspense/crime reads in the year just past. Some were books published in 2011. Others had been sitting in my To Be Read pile for a while. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin. An absorbing story with well-drawn characters. For a couple of days it transported me to rural Misssippi. Silas and Larry are believable, flawed men with a powerful connection. http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/19243/Tom_Franklin/index.aspx
2. A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny. Boy, can she write about human nature. Wow, can she plot. I confess a deep fondness for Quebec, where Penny's wonderful novels are set, but it's her writing that mesmerizes me. http://www.louisepenny.com/
3. A Day of Small Things by Vicki Lane. I could not stop reading this book. Lane is deeply rooted in Appalachia, and her love for the region and its people comes through in every word. This was a step-aside from the Elizabeth Goodweather series featuring one of its most fascinating characters, Miss Birdie. The writing is luminous; the mystical happenings, enthralling. http://vickilanemysteries.com/index.html
4. One Was A Soldier by Julia Spencer-Fleming. A Mainer whose books are set in the Adirondacks, Spencer-Fleming writes with an open, fearless heart, touching on themes that lesser writers sidestep. This one is about young soldiers - especially National Guard soldiers - coming home to their domestic lives after emotionally draining tours in Iraq. http://juliaspencerfleming.com/
5. Under the Dome by Stephen King. I've read a lot of Stephen King over the years. This is one of his best. As always, it's a compelling case study about the triumph of good over evil, community over disunity, love over fear. If you've ever lived in a small town, you will recognize the characters in this novel, villains and heros alike. And despite its heft, you will not be able to put it down. http://www.stephenking.com/index.html
Later this week: What is on my 2012 reading list.
 |
| Me, bundled against the wind |
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy 2012
It's a new year out there today, which is fine by me. 2011 had more than its share of sadness and worry, so I'm happy to turn the page. And I'm a big fan of even numbers, so the very thought of 2012 cheers me. I even like the sound of it. Twenty-twelve. Nice.
In Maine, the weather was gorgeous. We enjoyed a long, pleasurable walk at Scarborough Beach, where I snapped this photo. I dealt with a big old branch that tumbled from a tree into the yard one windy night last week. Made a chicken-balsamic-swiss chard thing in the slow cooker, which turned out to be a sublime dinner over polenta.
I'm not really an annual resolution type gal -- my promises to myself occur more frequently than once a year. But I don't sidestep the ritual self-betterment vows just because it's January first, so here are my aspirations for the year ahead:
1. Keep to the daily writing schedule. It really does make a difference.
2. Get thee back to the gym, Brenda. The holidays are over.
3. Don't neglect an opportunity to tell dear ones they are loved. Actually, show, don't tell.
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