New winners are....

sunny, beautiful day. temps 26

Sitting on the balcony, writing this. It is a perfect day. No clouds. Not too hot. Not at all humid (which is quite unusual for montreal). Magnificent.

Spent the morning and into the afternoon writing. At a pivotal scene. I know, it seems I say so many are...but some are just intense and complex and difficult. And some are actually pivotal. This one is pivotal - thought strangely, not all the difficult to write. But I needed to go over it, and over it...making sure it all seemed, and sounded, perfectly natural. to the characters and to the story.

So far so good. Phew.

So - I didn't hear back from the two 'winners' - gave plenty of warning. So - I have chosen two more winners from those who entered the contest here on the blog and facebook - asking what you'd do, if you won the ARC - to promote A TRICK OF THE LIGHT.

The two new winners are:

Sarah McKenney
and
Meredith from Penelope Loves Lists

Now if I don't hear back from you by the end of the week, I'll choose yet another winner. This could become a new hobby!

Actually, I've already contacted Sarah - but Meredith, if you can write me at my website with your mailing address, that would be great. contact@louisepenny.com

Thank you!

Off to enjoy the sun!

Montreal

clearing skies, temps 20

Getting warmer - poured with rain briefly today - and now looking better.

Am in Montreal to get some quiet time to write. And need to do the newsletter too. Writing going well, I think. At that stage where things start to be revealed, and that's always thorny. When to expose things, in what order. How.

not totally sure I'm doing it right, but the best way to know is to keep writing and see if I get into trouble later. We'll see.

Not much to report. That's the purpose of coming into our small apartment. so that nothing else happens. No phones ring. No lunches or dinner with kind people. No conversations.

Just my own schedule. I eat when I want. Sleep when I want. Write almost all the time - but it somehow feels less stressful. I guess I'm not always worried about being interrupted. or have something else to do in the afternoon.

I feel the hot breath of time on my neck. As I mentioned, I need this book written before I leave on tour with A TRICK OF THE LIGHT. And I know I'll need at least three drafts. The first is the longest...the second can be difficult - often a lot of re-writing as I struggle to get the structure right. Then with the third I begin to work on the details, the fine points that are so fun. Ideally I like to have four or five drafts.

We'll see. I'd rather leave on tour with it not yet finished than send off a half-assed manuscript. But people look at how long I have before I have to hand it in, and it looks like a lot of time. Except that I know how much distance needs to be covered. It's like a chess game, in some ways, where you might be many moves from the end, but you already know if you're in trouble, or not.

So far, if I keep my head down and working I should be OK.

Happily, I, for the most part, like what I've done. But, honestly, I'll only really know when I start the second draft.

Nice weather ahead, apparently. that's wonderful!! Hope you're well.

Touring!

very foggy this morning, as you can see by the picture of Trudy. Now it's raining heavily. Huge thunder storms yesterday. What a May! Temps 12

Pretty gruesome day. Rain and fog. Oh, dear. It would be wonderful to have two days of sun in a row. Just teeming with rain right now. yesterday there was a rain warning out for the townships of Quebec. Expected between 60 and 100 millimeters of rain. Normally a big rainfall is 15. It was insane. For those of you on the imperial scale, 100 millimeters is approx 300 inches. Well, perhaps not quite that. But it's tons of rain.

As you can see by the photos, Trudy got her summer buzz cut. She's ready for the marines. It's what's called a puppy cut. And she sure does look like a puppy. the photo in front of the tree in bloom was taken yesterday, when she first got home from the groomers. The other one was taken by Michael this morning, on their post-breakfast walk.

Lots of writing - into a good patch. I still worry there is a whole lot of story still to tell, and I'm piling up the word count. But then I remember that that's what first drafts are about for me. just getting everything on the page....the cherry picking what's good in later drafts.

the big thing for me, is to be finished writing this book before I start touring with A TRICK OF THE LIGHT. Because if I'm not, I'll have no time to write, or even to think about it. And then, if I have to write when I get back, I'll be worlds away. Pretty much a creative disaster. So that's the deadline I'm heading for.

We're firming up the fall tour. Very exciting. A TRICK OF THE LIGHT will be coming out at the same time in the US and Canada (perhaps a day apart) - so the publicists are organizing a North American tour that will last just over a month. It's very complex, and while I've been consulted on the broadstrokes, I haven't yet seen all the specifics.

It is amazing to me, though, just how many details there are. Many to do, of course, with travel. And since I'm far from the only author on tour this September, it also means coordinating and negotiating with bookstores.

the other thing that has struck me over the years is how meaningful a direct flight it. Not to have to connect. And a nice hotel room. Doesn't have to be the Four Seasons, but a good room is wonderful. As is having someone meet the plane, and drive me to events. Not necessary of course - I'm a big girl and can take a cab easily enough - but it's just one less thing to think about, if someone else is in charge.

For me touring is amazing...getting to finally meet all of you, who read the books, many of you since the very beginning. And many of you have read all of them, several times. I can't tell you how wondeful it is to stand at the front of a room and feel it's filled with sisters and brothers.

but it's also tiring - or can be. It's a marathon, not a sprint. So when we discuss the tour I also scan it for time off - often it's just a couple of quiet hours in the hotel. to regroup. Sometimes 'time off' is a long flight, with extra legroom. That's pretty great.

so we're now at that stage with A TRICK OF THE LIGHT. A sort of 'coming out party'. Hope you can attend! I'll put the schedule up here, and on the website, as soon as it's all confirmed...

though I can tell you that the US launch, on Tuesday, August 30th, is in concord, New Hampshire. At Gibson's Books. yay!!!

Oh, a note to those who still have not contacted me with their coordinates....please do before Monday, otherwise I'll just have to give the arcs to someone else. I notice that a Toni has posted on Facebook, but isn't sure if it is her, since I never contacted her. And I won't. mostly because the toni who won gave me no contact info.

Toni, and Sandy (of Gamache buy marriage) please check the blog post that announced the winners, to see if it is you, then contact me. Before Monday, please.

thank you.

One Book One Island!

sunny, warm, beautiful day - temps 24

Actually, a very slight nip to the air, but very, very nice. Very peaceful. And most of the black flies, that had been plaguing us, seem to have left.

The writing's going much better now - over the difficult patch. What a joy it is to get to sections that just flow quickly...hard to type as fast as the words want to come out. As you can see, it's not always like that...but when it is? Bliss.

Speaking of bliss, I wanted to show you two photos I took when I'd finished writing. Michael and I walked through the woods to the guest cottage and came across that wild apple tree, in full bloom. Magnificent.

And, at home, the lilac are in bloom...I cut lots of blossoms today and spread them in vases through the home. In this one I also put some allium and some white bleeding hearts, on the kitchen table. I wish this was a scratch 'n sniff blog (though often I'm very grateful it isn't)....I think the scent of lilac and peonies are just amazing. if heaven tastes like posset, it smells like lilac and peony. The peony are in bud, but not bloom. I'll torment you with photos of those once they pop.

Well, I've managed to keep mum for months, but finally it was announced that Prince Edward Island has chosen STILL LIFE as its One Book One Island selection this year!

the entire province will be reading (or at least encouraged to read) the book, in English or French.

I am beyond thrilled!! This is, essentially, a province-wide book club. Events will be organized throughout the summer, inspired by STILL LIFE and then it will all culminate when I visit on September 13th and 14th!

Have you ever been to Prince Edward Island? It is a gem. A real hidden jewel. I say 'hidden' though of course it isn't hidden at all, it just isn't as well known as it should be. Mostly I think it's known internationally as the home of the Anne of Green Gables books - which I adored as a child.

But PEI is so much more than that. Miles and miles of red sand beaches. peaceful, beautiful, unspoiled - but throbbing with culture. Great art, great theatre, great music - and cuisine. I am almost sick with excitement at the idea of visiting!!

but mostly, I'm so thrilled at the very great honour of having my book selected for their One Book One Island initiative.

Here's a link to information about the programme.

The English URL of the One Book site is http://www.library.pe.ca/onebook, and the French URL is http://www.library.pe.ca/unlivre.

I'll be doing interviews tomorrow morning on both the English and French CBCs. And just finished one with the Charlottetown Guardian.

Hope you're all well - speak soon!

A little bit more

mainly sunny, beautiful day - a cool breeze has just appeared. temps 26

But temperature going down. I think, while pleasant now, this cool breeze is bringing something with it. Still, it's been a gorgeous few days here. But, like so many, we awoke to the news, and terrible images, out of Joplin. So much destruction - so many dead and missing. The destruction, the force of it, is almost beyond belief.

Honestly, Michael and I both send out thoughts, and prayers. It sounds so empty, but it has meaning for us.

Back at home we had a lovely day yesterday. Sat outside with our morning cups of coffee - then into the living room. Lit a fire. Not that we needed it, but it's cheerful. then spent much of the day writing and speaking to friends and family. Sunday is like that.

Then off to the cottage for a bbq with Susan. She did these wonderful sausages from a farmer up the road - Breese. And made our favorite salad ever. Watermelon, flat leaf parsley, mint, spanish onions and feta. She also had corn bread muffins and did mushrooms and onions on the bbq. For dessert she'd prepared posset. A lemon cream confection. If we could eat heaven, it would taste like posset.

When susan comes to our place for dinner we just hope Trudy doesn't throw up on her. We consider it even.

Today was a wonderful day - with absolutely no agenda except to write. Awoke to lovely sun. had breakfast by the pool, then washed the bedding and hung it outside to dry. Lovely to see the white sheets flapping in the wind.

then went inside, lit the fire and spent nine hours writing, and editing, and re-writing.

Normally I try not to edit too much on a first draft. But this was another pivotal and delicate scene, and I just knew it wasn't right. And I was worried that if this was even slightly off, almost unnoticeable, the balance of the book would get further and further away from what I want to say.

The setting was right. The characters were right. the elements were right. But there was a better way of telling it all. That would be delicate and subtle and multi-dimensional while appearing to be straight forward.

It was very tempting to just leave it, and fix on the re-write. And that might have worked. Frankly, at this stage, I'm just desperate to finish. I'm running a step ahead of exhaustion. Not physical, but a sort of mental and creative tired. In the marrow. But I keep saying to myself to just keep going. Another step. And make it beautiful. Make it right. make it meaningful. And then another. And then another.

Don't flag, I tell myself. And never, ever give into the syndrome that dogged me much of my youth. Good enough. Or, as my brother Doug calls it, Cloud 8.

Close. Close enough.

But I know what lies down that road. Disappointment. In the outcome, but mostly in myself.

I really love this book. the setting, the themes. They mean something to me. It's not just words, and not just a story. And I worry that I'm not going to do it justice. But then I whisper to myself - just one step. And make it beautiful, Make it joyous. Make it meaningful.

Because this is an important element in my life. And at the end of it I don't want to look back on a whole lot of, Good Enough. And when I look at what happens to many, many people - like those in Joplin - I think, how dare I buckle under so light a weight. Whatever burden I'm carrying is of my own making. And easily borne.

I don't expect this book, or any, to be perfect. But I do expect that they will be filled with the best I can give. And then, perhaps, a little bit more.

Hope you're well, and able to bear whatever weight you've been given. I know that you so often lighten my load, make me smile and feel not at all alone. thank you. I hope it isn't a one-way street.

Be well, my friends.

The winners are....

mixed sun and cloud - humid and often quite hot! temps 25

Beautiful day. Kirk and Walter, along with our friend Cotton, had a luncheon party at their home to celebrate the fourth Agatha win. Friends and neighbours all there. Felt wonderful.

Spent the morning writing...then the luncheon....and then home. To do the final draw for the advance copies of A TRICK OF THE LIGHT.

I have to thank Michael and Marjorie for their huge help in reading the submissions, and helping to get it down to finalists. This was, without a doubt, the most difficult contest I've even judged. Not because there were so many entries - more than 180 on the blog, and many, many more who sent emails - but because of the quality.

The contest was to win an advance copy of the book - and to do so I explained that ARCs are special editions printed in very limited numbers by the publisher, to send to pivotal people in the industry. To get a buzz going about a book. They're handed out like diamonds and are collectors items. The point is - we really, really would love to get the word out about A TRICK OF THE LIGHT.

And so, I'm asking for your help. To come up with ways you would promote the book.

And you sent in many hilarious (who knew so many of you are so willing to get naked?), many brilliant, many creative, many deeply moving messages. I can't begin to tell you how I've agonized over this - to the point where last night I finally turned to Michael and said, 'I can't give out just two. It has to be four.' And so we schemed and tried to figure out how we could do that.

To be honest, I'd give you ALL arcs if I could!

But we finally figured how to double the ARCs - so I'll be announcing 4 winners today. Before I do, though, of the many, many that caught my eye, only one was a poem. And while the author of the poem didn't win, it was so wonderful, it gets an honourary mention! Here is Jock's poem:

A Trick of the Light, A Trick of the Light
Buy it today, don’t wait until night
Don’t be left out, nor be left behind
Be one of the clever, intelligent kind.
Go to your bookstore, find it online
There’s no way on earth I am giving up mine!
It’s Louise Penny’s latest, an obvious smash
Adventurous times with Inspector Gamache
Like all of her others, I know it’s a hit
(“And how do I know?” you ask in a snit)
Cuz I wrote a poem in a contest she had
Won an advanced reader copy and “Wow” was I glad.

thank you, Jock!!! What delight you have given me. As have so many, many of you!

finally, Michael and I (with marjorie's great help) winnowed it down to 15. And then, we let the Universe decide, in a random draw. This is what the Universe decided....

the winners of the Advance Readers Copy of A TRICK OF THE LIGHT are:

Dani (who incidently was the very first one to post a comment)
Sandy - who is a Gamache by marriage
Toni - who lives in Michigan and is a librarian
Edith - who drives a Prius and lives in boston, and apparently has quite a big mouth, which is very good thing!

Congratulations to all the winners - and a huge thank you to all of you for entering, and giving us so much pleasure, reading your ideas. But mostly, experiencing your enthusiasm. I makes me feel wonderful. And very confident as we go forward into a rocky publishing environment.

If Dani, Sandy, toni and Edith could please write to me at: contact@louisepenny.com with your addresses - and who to sign the arc to, that would be wonderful.

And to those of you who didn't win - thank you. and please, if you wouldn't mind spreading the word anyway, I'd really appreciate it. And I HOPE to have another contest - perhaps just a random draw - in the next month or so. I think you ALL deserve ARCs!!

Fete de Lobster

rain, rain - then - dear Lord, beautiful sunny day! temps 26

It was supposed to be wall to wall lovely today. Wayne showed up to do the lawns - aborted many times over the past ten days. Got on the mower, started 'er up. Took it out of the shed. And wham. A downpour.

Wayne backed the mower up. Shut 'er down. Got off the mower. And went home.

I spent the morning writing...then at 11 I realized I'd done more than 1,000 words. While I could have/would have happily continued, we had other things packing our agendas. Initially the idea was to write until 1pm then head into Montreal, but since I'd done 1,000 by 11 I asked Michael if he'd like to hop in the beetle and we could head in to the city in time for lunch.

He didn't need to be asked twice. So, through the rain, we drove the 1 1/2 hrs into Montreal. Arrived in time for lunch at Taverne on the Square...then dropped off a 16th birthday gift for Bethany - I hesitate to say she's the daughter of our friends Bal and Linda - makes it sound like Bethany isn't our friend too, and she is. We adore her. So we popped around and dropped off a gift. Then Michael had a 3pm doctor's appointment (longstanding, not about his cold, which is MUCH better - cough persists but that's all). At 4pm we left. By then it was brilliant sunshine.

The bridge out of Montreal to the townships was just about gridlocked. But once actually on the bridge, things got a little better. rush hour. Plus, we're heading into a long weekend here.

In the rest of Canada it's called Victoria Day - for Queen Victoria. here in Quebec it's called La Fete de Dollard. After Dollard des Ormeaux - a french leader who died in a battle with the Iroquois.

Two solitudes indeed.

Had a wonderful drive once we got off the highway. Stopped to put the top down on the beetle. Beautiful drive! Exquisite evening. All the more lovely after all the rain. Wow. In fact we're sitting on the screen porch. that's a photo from a few minutes ago. The lobster festival is just starting at the IGA in sutton. Michael loves lobster. I'm OK with them, but not a big treat. So we got him one. And I'm writing while he eats. This is something only people married 15 years might do. blog while the other eats dinner. (and you thought speaking on a cell phone was rude at the dinner tabIe!) But, in my very shaky defense, I only do this because it takes him about 6 hours to eat a lobster. If I didn't do something I'd end up simply watching him. Hour after hour. he's one of those who has to check every hair, in case... Such fun, though, to see him consumed with pleasure.

Yesterday, in the middle of a writing jag, I did something I have never done over the course of 7 and a half books.

I dropped pasta all over my notebook. At least I didn;t dump it into the laptop - but the notebook IS the book. Has all my notes. All my thoughts, all the details. The plot. From tiny little words to huge ideas. All there. And yesterday, while eating lunch and writing, my hand caught the bowl and... you know when everything starts going in slow motion? I could see what was about to happen but I couldn't stop it.

and - plop. Cheese-y pasta vegetable crap (not the brand name) all over my notebook. Gumming up the rings of the binding. soaking through. I tried to clean it up, and most of it is gone...most. But this morning it was as though I'd poured glue all over the book. it does give me pause, and make me wonder what that stuff is doing to my insides. But I continue to be way more concerned about what it's doing to my notebook.

Fortunately, I'm in the homestretch, more or less. Another two, maybe three weeks, and Book 8 will be finished.

Which brings me to your AMAZING responses to the ARC giveaway!!! As you can see, there are over 100 in the comments from yesterday, and we received hundreds through the 'contact' email. We're reading through them and will post the winners on Saturday - though how we'll even get it down to a shortlist is anybodies guess.

I'll thank you again on Saturday....but I do want you to know how much I love reading what you've written. How it fills my heart with gladness, that this is what I get to do - and I get to do it for and with you. You make this fun. And your messages on how you'd promote A TRICK OF THE LIGHT if you win the ARC have left me in tears of laughter, and tears of joy. And gratitude.

And, if you haven't yet entered the contest, you have until Friday night. It's for an advance copy of the next Gamache book. you can read the details in Monday's blog post.

thank you for reading the books, and promoting them, and joining Michael and me on the blog....and having the lobster dinner together. Oh, I must tell you, when we arrived back home it was to find Wayne had been again - and this time got the whole place mown. the smell of fresh cut grass...first of the season here...mixed with lobster. Life cannot possibly get better.