rain, cool, temps 15
Nice day...autumn day. Much like yesterday. Though Ken, who does the pool, says snow is in the forecast. Can you believe it??? Will let you know.
Relaxed day. Went off to Knowlton for breakfast with Danny and Philip. They're the organizors (among others) of the Letters from Knowlton writers and writing fest. The first one was this summer and it was a great success. They wondered if I could get involved in the next one. I said, yes, of course. And they also asked if I could be the honourary chairperson. I hestitated. My problem is I hate to take on more than I should - and then let everyone down. But they assured me the 'honourary' is bigger than the 'chairperson'. So I agreed.
It will be next summer, and it will be fun to help track down some of the writers we've met, and invite them. A summer weekend in Quebec's eastern townships is about as close to heaven as I've come. Though I suspect everyone feels like that about their area.
But I'll keep you informed as it gets closer.
Then off to the local community radio station - CIDI - for a one hour interview with Kate Wisdom on her new arts show. She's a marvelous interviewer and had actually read THE BRUTAL TELLING - which helps!
Then home to write the October newsletter and a few other things.
Oh, we got a terrific starred review in Booklist, in the US - a very influential publication. here's part of what they said...
Penny has been compared to Agatha Christie, and while there is a surface resemblance there, it sells her short. Her characters are too rich, her grasp of nuance and human psychology too firm for the formula-bound Christie. No, Penny belongs in the hands of those who read not only P. D. James but also Donna Leon, who, like Penny, mixes her hero’s family and professional lives fluidly and with a subtle grasp of telling detail.
I'm really thrilled with that review.
Michael and I are off to Montreal tomorrow. Hope to start the first big edit on the novella when we get in. Enough time has passed I think I can now detach and see it clearly, and make the changes. I hope. Though I must say, I quite like editing. This is the novella for literacy, written as part of the Quick Reads programme, developing books for adult emerging readers. It's a Chief Inspector Gamache, Three Pines novella.
Must be off...just got off the eliptical machine. I think I like it less and less! But, i know it's good for me.
Oh, Trudy was just going nuts barking. Michael went to see what it was about and there were two deer in the field by the pond. An adult and a baby. Lovely.
15 comments:
Congratulations, Louise! I've been around reading your blog and thinking of you and Michael. Haven't been posting much anywhere as I'm dealing with my mother's declining condition. She is very up and down but I don't think we are far from the end. It's sad, but not really. She's ready to go join my dad. I seem to be remaining healthy though and that is good news.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading THE BRUTAL TELLING and we talked about you last night in my mystery group meeting. We had new members who hadn't heard about you and they were most impressed that you talked with us in our group. I sent them on their way with a list of your first 4 books. Wish I could get to Houston to see you there, but I don't think I will.
Again, my thoughts are with you and especially Michael with his upcoming surgery. Stay well and hugs to you!
Dear Louise, Had to smile at your comment re: Trudy going nuts barking at the doe and fawn. I started THE BRUTAL TELLING this afternoon - totally engrossed in it, and totally oblivious to my daughter's dog (my granddog?)pacing around and around by the picture window. Finally looked up and saw a family of deer - a buck, doe, and two yearlings, grazing on the corn we put out for the sand hill cranes! Isn't country living wonderful!
Will be thinking of you and Michael on Thursday. Bless you both,
Shelagh D.
Louise, I finished The Brutal Telling on Sunday. I was torn between making it last and finding out how you wrapped it up. Wow. They just get better.
--Elizabeth D
Dear Kay,
Oh, how painful to see a parent decline. As you say, she's ready, but it still hurts - and is exhausting. I'm thinking of you.
And thank you for your kind thoughts - and also spreading the word! I hope to become the swine flu of writers. Sneeze on someone and they buy THE BRUTAL TELLING.
You are so kind to think of us in the midst of your own stresses. Thank you.
Dear Shelagh,
Thank you for your thoughts. We can actually feel the kindness and support - and it makes a difference. I completely believe that good thoughts and wishes can heal. Or, at the very least, way improve quality of life.
You're place sounds wonderful. Sand hill cranes...wow. Yes, we are lucky!
Dear Elizabeth,
I'm so glad you liked the book!! And, as you know, it's important to me that the series keeps growing - improving, stretching. Not falling into a rut.
thank you for telling me how you felt about it - and thanks for telling others!!!
We will be thinking of you and Michael on Thursday. Dealing with eye problems myself, I understand how anxious y'all must be about the surgery! Good luck to you both!
Louise! It's Sandy,of Sylvain and Sandy-- just wanted to leave a commment saying WOW! YOU ARE ROCKING THE WORLD right now! How very exciting! You totally deserve it of course - Mom and I can't wait to get our hands on the Brutal Telling - sure to be amazing.
Please come do a reading in Montreal soon -- oh, and we're having a baby in December (Christmas!)-- yay for exciting times! (So you better hurry before we are housebound for a bit).
Louise, I am thinking good thoughts, sending high energy, and praying constant prayers for Michael's surgery.
I totally agree that you are way better than Agatha ever thought about being!
Loved the scenereo with Trudy and the deer.
I finished your book, and I was left with was a "wow.' You really and truly captured both the dark and light sides of so many of your characters, and of course, those characters who are pictured with so much of their struggle. I respect you for showing so much courage as a writer, to work with your characters, and certainly not become formulaic. I am trained in the Jungian tradition where the forces of dark and light constantly do battle, and regrettably reside in to a greater or lesser degree in all of us. I'm not a critic, but I am a fan. Thank you for treating us a grownups. And of course, I look forward to the next book. I hope your launch went well. Good luck tomorrow.
Dear Jo,
Thank you! And poor you, going through eye problems! I hope it isn't serious, but I know anything to do with the eyes is very stressful. I will be thinking of you too...and sending healing thoughts.
Dearest Sandy!!!
Wow yourself! What you are producing blows my achienvement out of the water...and rightly so. Lucky, l;ucky child to have you and Sylvain as parents. Showered in love and light and good sense - and laughter. And creativity.
Oh, congratulations to you and Sylvain - to your mother who must be over-the-moon.
I would LOVE to see you before the baby!! Would love to see you pregnant...such a magical time.
Thank you for telling us, and Michael is Yippeeing in the background. love to you and Sylvain!!
Chere Jeanine,
Thank you...we can feel your kind, healing thoughts. Such a relief not to walk in there alone. I know how very grateful Michael is. And how moved and grateful I am.
Hope you're thriving!!
Dear Lil,
How well you put everything. That mix we all are, of light and shadow. Which is why forgiveness is so important...and empathy.
I'm so glad you liked the book! Thank you so much for buying it, reading it, and writing to be so supportive. You are wonderful.
Hope everything is going well with Michael's surgery today! I know you are glad to be by his side during this! Looking forward to hearing good news.
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