And then a miracle occurs

bright, sunny skies - temps minus 10

Yikes - minus 10! I have long underwear on again! And thermal socks. I would have worn the big parka to take Trudy around the pond this morning except it was skunked and is now banished to the porch. Not certain what that will do.

One of my favorite cartoons shows two scientists. The older one is reviewing the younger ones work. There are formulae on one side of the chalk board, a gap, then formulae on the other. And in the gap is written, "And then a miracle occurs". The older scientist says, 'I think you need to be more specific.'

I often feel like that in my life. Either a miracle had occurred - like falling in love, or being published - or I think maybe one will happen...like the coat, by dint of being left outside, will suddenly be de-skunked.

when people ask how I got published I honestly have difficulty answering them. I mean, I know how it happened, the steps I took. Sending in endless letters to agents and publishers. Getting rejections, or more often just silence. Trying and trying. Editing, editing, re-writing. And finally entering the CWA Best Unpublished Mystery novel contest in the UK, and being shortlisted.

That was the break. But lots of better writers have done exactly that and haven't yet found a publisher.

when emerging writers ask that question I know how they're feeling. Like there's a magic formula...and then a miracle occurs.

And, honestly, that's pretty much how it felt. How do you ever explain success, when better people who work harder don't seem to find it?

I take some comfort in believing everything happens for a reason. And there's a reason all this happened to me at 50 and not 25. I know how lucky I am. I know a miracle when one happens.

difficult day writing. Lots of fear. Fear this book is crap. Fear I can't do it. Fear I'll give up. But I plowed along and worked and worked and erased and erased. Very frustrating erasing a thousand words because the scene just ins't going anywhere. And then - finally - I got it. I knew exactly what the scene needed to be about.

Some days are easy. I've been lucky so far with this book. A great deal of it has just poured out. But not the last few days. They've been a struggle. But best to keep plugging. And eventually, something will hit.

We're off to Montreal. Michael, bless his soul, stayed up late doing the taxes...got them finished. so we'll do that while in Montreal too. Tony is here to pick up all the dog poop that has appeared on the lawn.

Talk about a miracle! That it magically appears, but even more, that Tony is willing to make it disappear.

Had a huge amount of fun speaking to the the Lakeridge Book Club in Florida last night. wish I'd been there in person.

Did I mention it's MINUS 10???