Montreal

heavy snow, mild, temps minus 3

Wouldn't you know it? The day we're supposed to drive in to Montreal there's a mini-storm. However, it's possible it's only really snowing here, on our mountain top. We find that quite often. We'll be in the middle of a blizzard, get in the car and one mile away the bananas are on the trees. Sort of. But I bet by the time we're in Cowansville this will have disappeared.

Did lots of writing yesterday. Am in a difficult part of the book, making transitions...we'll see how it goes. for me it's important not to go back and edit, but to do some smoothing perhaps but mostly to keep moving forward and trust in the re-write stage, when the first draft is finished. So far that's worked. And I know that I can be a harsh and sometimes unfair critic. I think something's not working when in fact it is. And sometimes I need to finish the book to see how certain sections fit in.

But, it all means I'm not just in effect writing the same book over and over - but stretching. Want to give you the same feel, and many of the same characters and settings as previous books - but also need to 'change it up'. Hate to get 'cookie-cutter'.

Sad about Jade Goody. We followed her quite startling career...and now her death so young. But a great lesson, as she herself said, in the vital importance of getting Pap smears for cervical cancer.

We're off to the city - taking the car in for a tune up. Taking Michael in for a tune-up. Eyes and Urologist. Just routine. And to sign the lease on our new apartment. such fun. Busy day tomorrow, but good to do.

Be well.