Trick or Treat? Definitely a
Fireflies
Do you remember catching fireflies in Mason jars, and having magic lanterns in your bedroom at night? I do — particularly at my grandmother’s house in Pennsylvania. We’d catch a whole jar of them, sit down in the kitchen and have root beer floats, then let them out again just before we tucked ourselves in to sleep.
There aren’t so many of the little bugs down here, but the magic is the same. After dinner tonight, the kids and I had an enchanted evening racing up and down the street, following the little flashing bugs — like traveling stars — through front yards. I love watching my daughter, hands extended like she’s about to pray, wandering through the grass, transfixed by the tiny green flashes. And the excitement when she catches one — you can see the glow through her fingers.
Magical moments.
And speaking of magical moments, I had one today, when I sent my edits off to my editor. I then spent the next three hours looking through the first 50K of the second book — and getting excited about it all over again.
So all is right with the world, at least in my corner of Austin.
How are you?
The comment issues don’t bother me (I’m just picking this up from the last post), but if others, like Barbara, are having more trouble with them, moderation is fine. I moderate our group blog comments because I had too many problems with icky comments on my personal blog.(Blogger doesn’t have a “close comments after 3 days” option the way Typepad, where my other blog is hosted, does, but that *really* cuts down on spam).
I love fireflies. We had them all the time when I was growing up, but even though I am only about 100 miles from there now, I haven’t seen a firefly in ages.
Yay on the second book thing. That’s great! I went to my writing class tonight and was kind of freaked out having to read my work aloud. Of course, that was before my teacher mentioned that our meeting in three weeks would be in a public venue where we would have to read. ARGGG.
On the other hand, I’m up to 58k on the work in progress, so that’s good.
Hi Karen,
So you’re done with your book? I can’t wait until it’s out. I didn’t think I would ever look forward to reading a book about a werewolf…. And now you’re on your next book. Is this going to be about Maine?? (ie, a continuation of the bed & breakfast saga?) Or another werewolf? Have you ever thought of writing a novel (sans murder?)
One of these days I would love to be involved with a group like yours that inspires us to write even when we don’t necessarily feel like it. When I was in a ladies club and writing their monthly newsletter, I had no trouble writing regularly because it was due at a certain time. I do write occasionally (I should say “edit” because the book is basically done)– but I just want to get it over with and start something new now that I have retired from my job and can (if I really try) to write on a regular basis.
So glad to hear things are going well with you and that you’re on the upswing!
Judy W.
So I just read your blog on secret vices. I don’t know what four-letter word beginning with a D is… I assume you don’t mean “damn”– maybe damp (aka: moist…)
In any case, your secret vices are the same as those that most of us have–chocolate. Sweet desserts. Ice cream. I just made chocolate mousse tonight… It was heavenly. I used a whole box of semi-sweet cooking chocolate –and was thinking I should double the recipe because it doesn’t really make that much…But of course I didn’t have more than one box of it. I also made fruity sangria. So I’m probably the only one of your blogging buddies that will admit to enjoying such beverages. (Then again I had company..) But like you, I can only take so much. So I will have an aspirin before bed so I don’t get a headache tomorrow.
Glad to hear you have some help at home w/the housework-but don’t feel guilty. You’re doing the job of two people as it is–a career woman and a mother! And I’m sure now with your decision to spice up your novels, you’ll be able to afford even more help! (–never mind all the more shopping you can do…)
J.W.
I know exactly what you mean about fireflies, Karen–I keep getting this deja vu about Tinkerbell!!
For a native Californian like me, it took a move to Texas (3 years ago) to get a first glimpse, and I’m still “star struck” to use your
comparison. The other night hubby and I were in the spa, and the fireflies were jumping into the swimming pool just beyond us . . . of course, I kept trying to save them!
Congrats on your edits and your renewed writing energy.
I’m just finishing author proofs on Mai Tai to Murder, so that feels good too.
Enjoy your lighning bugs!
Candy
Hi Karen- I haven’t seen fireflies in years, but last week Grace excitedly pointed out a large group of them who were partying in our front yard. I don’t think she has ever seen one before. If I hadn’t been so tired, I would have suggested catching some…. Tired, tired mommy…. Melissa
Pssst, JW…it’s “diet.” I usually think of the “t” as silent.
Laura,
I don’t know if moderation will help (except in terms of dieting, har, har), but I’ll look into it. And if you continue to have problems, please, please, please let me know! I commented on the BookEnds blog today and needed to log in twice; I know they’re on blogger, too.
Reading your work aloud? That can be scary, at least the first few times. I did that years ago, in a freewriting group I was in; I think it helped me have confidence in myself, though, and taught me that even if was awful, God wouldn’t strike me down. 🙂
And you are 8K ahead of me. You go, girl! 🙂
Judy,
I read somewhere that writers tend to be moody, and I’m going to blame it on that. 🙂
Yes, I am on the upswing. I am almost through rereading and tweaking what I’ve got, and will launch into new work tomorrow. Can’t wait! I am SO much happier when I’m engrossed in a project. (As long as it involves writing new stuff and not just rehashing the old.) It’s almost like an addiction.
And I have neglected my group of late; some of our other members have been out of town, and I’ve had so many evening engagements, I’ve had to skip several weeks in the interest of remembering what my family looks like. But it can be so encouraging. Why don’t you put an ad in the League newsletter, or see if there’s a group already in your area? I never would have written Murder on the Rocks without everyone’s support.
And I’m all in favor of starting something new. Put down your edits for a while and have fun.
That’s what I’m doing!
Oh — what I’m working on now is the second half of Wolves in the City book 2; when I finish that (hopefully at the end of July), I will write the third GWI (I think it will be called Murder Most Maine), theoretically by January, and then I’ll turn around and write the third werewolf book.
And then I’m going to Tahiti.
In my head, anyway.
And yes, I have thought of writing a novel sans murder. In fact, I’m not sure yet if there’s a murder in the second werewolf book. I hope to know in the next few months. 🙂
But I have a zillion ideas for other things, as my agent will attest…
Judy,
I read a book about the Caribbean last weekend (it was by the Blanchards, and was about starting a restaurant on Anguilla), and mixed up a big pitcher of rum punch, most of which I drank. And sangria sounds fabulous. I do take tylenol before going to bed, but I’ve learned to add a Zantac, too (my stomach doesn’t do well the next day if I have more than a glass or two, even if it’s over a long period of time).
As I think someone mentioned, the four-letter-word is DIET. My nemesis. Although some of those skinny cow ice cream treats are pretty darned tasty (I discovered the mint sandwiches the other day).
Thanks for making me feel better about the help, by the way. I yelled at my poor kids yesterday; I had just washed the slipcover on the TV room couch, and within 24 hours it had a fine patina of cheese nips, popcorn, blueberries, and string cheese.
It’s a never-ending battle, isn’t it?
Melissa,
I am SO with you. Before I had kids, I had this sugar-glazed image of all the wonderful projects we’d do together.
Now the only sugar glaze tends to be on the kitchen floor; I discover it when I get stuck to the tile on the way to make coffee, and have to call for help. 🙂
Maybe the fireflies are making a comeback?
Candy,
They don’t have fireflies in Cali? And come to think of it, I think I grew up calling them lightning bugs, but it was so many years ago I just can’t remember.
It doesn’t sound like you had a very relaxing evening in the spa, does it?
P.S. Am enjoying the next book; your fans are going to LOVE it! June 1, right?
P.P.S. I so enjoyed seeing you at Malice. Would you maybe like to come up to Austin to do an event with me sometime soon?
Laura,
LOL
Yes, the ‘t’ is silent.