Friday, June 11, 2021

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

 


And I am covered in scratches and scrapes from two days of long-delayed gardening. 

Last weekend I had my nephews over to try and wrangle the jungle that is my backyard into order. It's not that my garden is neglected--we have gardeners (though I don't let them cut anything but the lawn)--so it's been almost two years since I really, really gardened--as in untangled and sorted out all the lights, seriously pruned everything back, and did a bunch of replanting and repotting. 

So we made great headway, but there was still a ton of stuff to do AND it turns out that my nephews have zero aptitude for untangling lights. Under their peculiar ministrations, five somewhat tangled strands became ONE GIGANTIC KNOT that took me three hours to undo. 

Anyway, other than learning they are not very good at undoing knots (this is the danger of Velcro shoe fastenings) we had a great time. I fed them all day long on hors d'oeuvres hidden deep in my freezer since Christmas. See, this is the thing. This is the first time in 15 months I was able to get together with the boys and work in the yard like we used to do. (Not that I used to feed them Christmas hors d'oeuvres on a regular basis, but you know.) When we finally wrapped up about six, the SO barbecued and we watched the first three episodes of the Mandalorian, so it was really a terrific day and evening--and being fully vaccinated is a wonderful thing.  

BUT THERE IS STILL SO MUCH TO DO IN THE GARDEN.

So for the past couple of days I've been tackling some of that on my own as my "break" during the writing work day. The problem is, I'm a little...obsessive. You might have noticed this. So I go out to straighten lights on a rose bush and thirty minutes later, I'm still out there hacking away at the thorny dead wood that hasn't been chopped out in years. Which is where a lot of the cuts and scrapes (and tears in my T-shirt) came from.

After a weird little cold spell this week, the weather is once again classic sunny So Cal. Blue skies, bright sunshine, everything in bloom. It's gorgeous--and soon to be hot as hell. 

OH! Update--in case you hadn't heard--Marlowe the Mutt has bronchitis! The vet reassured me that his trachea is absolutely fine; heart, lungs, everything in great shape. He is a "young and healthy dog" but he has bronchitis. Yikes. So the vet put him on meds and he's back to his normal, nutty little self. 

I can't tell you what a relief it is (although I'm sure you know). I love those two little dogs with all my heart. 

BOOKS. Oh yeah. THAT. 


So here's what's happening. Tomorrow I start Body at Buccaneer Bay (Secrets and Scrabble 5), and that will come out in mid-July. 

Then comes The 12.2 Per-Cent Solution (Holmes & Moriarity 5--the final book) and that comes out the end of August.

The last book of the year is The Movie-Town Murders, which I'm still hoping to finish by the end of September. It might slip into the first week of October, but not by much. 

And that's it for 2021. YOU SHALL NOT SEE MY LIKES AGAIN.

No. Wrong. If you're on Patreon, you'll get Hide and Seek in November/December, which kind of works out because it takes place at Christmas. 

But yes, that will be it for the year. Murder is Served is definitely getting pushed back to February (which is going to be the perfect time for something utterly nuts). In 2022, there will be eight weeks between writing each and every project, so no more of this crazy teetering on burnout, frantic juggling of deadlines. I have acknowledged and accepted that I can't write the way I used to. I can't rely on summoning turbo boosts of creative energy and/or panic in the home stretch. That's not in me anymore. It was never a healthy way to work. It's one reason why I suffered through two bouts of burnout (although the second bout...I don't know because that was as much anxiety and depression over politics and pandemic as creative funk). Anyway. I can't do it anymore.

So that's that. I have to keep struggling with myself not to list books for preorder too close together, but so far, so good. It is ALL good. Being realistic with yourself (and readers) is good. Allowing yourself room to breathe--and mess around in the garden--is good. :-D

What are you up to? What have you got planned for the summer? Are you fully vaccinated yet?

21 comments:

  1. Well, well, well... it looks like SOMEBODY has finally found a formula for success! It sounds like you've got a nice balance of work, home, and family. And, just so you know, I don't think anybody will object if you never end your Secrets & Scrabble cozy mysteries. Seems to me there's a lot of territory (and history) on Buck Island to explore. I'm thinking you can give Meg Perry a run for her money on series longevity. Oh, and speaking of Meg Perry and the Jamie Brodie mysteries... didn't I hear that Jamie, Pete, and Ammo were planning a trip to Buck Island? What an INTERESTING story THAT would be!

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    1. Better late than never, right? :-D STOP MOCKING ME. I love the idea of a crossover. As a matter of fact, I was thinking PERHAPS Kit Holmes might being doing a book tour in New England at some point...

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    2. I'm in favor of both those ideas! I can already hear Kit complaining about the locals! 😄 And a Jamie and Pete visit anywhere is a great thing! Ammo can teach Watson some tracking tips (you know, since dead bodies are not unheard of on Buck Island!)

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  2. Is Scandal at the Salty Dog coming out in print?

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    1. Yes, it is. I just finished going over the proofs yesterday, so hopefully this week!

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  3. I am completely and totally vaccinated and went into the bank today to activate my new debit card (two new debit cards in two months, don't get me started. First time in a public place that's not a restaurant I more than a year. I'm so glad you're being sane and sensible about your writing. I want a happy healthy you, more than I want you trying to crank out books when you're stressed.

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    1. Isn't it a wonderful relief to be fully vaccinated. I mean, I know the pandemic is not over and that people are still dying and that there are virus variants and we will need booster shots and on and on. BUT I am feeling joyful at the prospects of a normalish summer.

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  4. Fully vaccinated (yay), heading into ROUND two of knee surgery--probably a full-blown kneed replacement this time (not so yay) and getting my mother's affairs in order (she's progressed to Stage 7 dementia). Otherwise, so happy to have some new books coming out, doing a bit of gardening here as well, and postponing more house projects until cooler weather returns ... or maybe even next year. Dinner and drinks with Felix & Glenn tonight! Planning a trip to the Yucatan before my Father-in-law moves in with us this fall ... part tropical paradise, part spiritual rejuvenation, part "OMG, what have we agreed to" ... LOL!

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    1. Oh. Ouch! And that's sad news about your mom. But how lovely to be able to get together with friends again (and especially Glenn and Felix!) and being able to plan trips and travel and visit. <3

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  5. I think that I'll be spending most of my summer trying not to spontaneously combust. Southern CA can be an inferno. (In more ways than one!) I actually plan to perfect my gardening skills, learn more about composting, and play for hours and hours with my grandkids. In other words: Living the Good Life! Fingers crossed. Thank you for making the first few months of 2021 tolerable. I don't know how I'd have survived without escaping into one of your lovely books.

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    1. And because we had such a dry winter, I'm afraid the spontaneous combustion is all too real a threat. There's something so...centering about working in the garden. I wish now I had done more of it during the pandemic. Anyway, thank you for those kind words. Here's to Living the Good Life! ;-)

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    2. We're fully vaccinated and glad to get any booster we need to. Good work on the garden! I've gotten a few things done but it's already 88 degrees and, like, 90 percent humidity. I love your nephew story! My nephews are college age and I miss them so much! My nieces, too. For the first time in more than a year, I'll see my big brother and SIL, my middle niece and hubby and 2 great nieces for the sixth birthday of the oldest! She was still 4 last time we saw her. Anyway, sounds like y'all had a blast and I love it! Even if they're no good at knots 😁 For everything you do to make us happy, I hope you've found twice as much to make you happy!

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  6. So glad your dog is doing well. I had my fingers crossed. Do take it easy, and have fun as well.

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    1. Thank you for those good wishes, Nora. It was so awful waiting to find out what was going on. <3

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  7. Chicago just reopened on 6/11. We spent the day in the city (my dr appt) with our grown kids! So fun to eat out, mingle, and feel safe. It’s hot and dry here too (suburban Chicago). No mosquitos (yay); bad for the vegetable garden (boo). I just finished “Salty Dog” yesterday. Great as usual. I look forward to everything coming (and seeing you in St. Louis).

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    1. That sounds like a wonderful day! California opened on the 15th and I have to admit, I'm still skittish about going anywhere, but my god I would love a massage again (let alone getting my hair done and having lunch out). I'll get there eventually.

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  8. Josh I have just noticed a book called "Brian Arlington" available for pre order but it seems to only be in the French language. Is this going to be for English readers too

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    1. Hello! I believe that is the French translation of Stranger on the Shore. ;-)

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  9. You know, Jack has told Ellery several times that he has feelings for him and cares about him. And we know Ellery certainly has feelings for Jack and shows it with actions. But I don't think he's ever put that into words to Jack. 🤔 That would be a nice moment. 😊

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