catching my breath

sunny and warm now, but raining earlier temps 22...we're in Montreal

Phew...what a whirlwind. Amazing, fun, breath-taking. Yippiiiee. The phone and messages haven't stopped all day. I still have more than 100 emails to respond to. Not totally certain I'll get to them all.

Thank you, each and everyone, for your support, your celelbrations, your joy and your company. Your wanting me to win, but not caring if I didn't.

Did interviews today with 2 CBC Radio Shows...there're articles on CBC.ca and The Globe and Mail. Had to turn down a French interview because I was feeling so frazzled I knew I'd just butcher it...but I invited the reporter down to Sutton and said we could talk there, where it's more peaceful. Have an interview on Wednesday at noon with Vita Magazine - the French version of More. And then at 4pm with Chatelaine - which is a big Canadian women's magazine.

It's actually a bit like running full blast and hitting a wall. Deeply unexpected. A little stunning. Oddly bruising. But also - to get away from the wall analogy - very, very wonderful.

It gets a little confused because I'm also fighting to finish book 7 - and being away for so long (at least it feels like that) it took all day just re-reading and editing the previous two chapters to feel I was in anyway 'back' there in Three Pines with Gamache. And then the phone would ring...or there'd be an urgent email about an interivew or a photograph. Oh...I need to get a couple photos from the event...of just me and the Agatha. Michael took a few but other people - especially the glorious Hank Phillippi Ryan who won for BEst Short Story, were in his shots. In fact, that's one of the photos also on the facebook page.

But if any of you were there and have a photo of just me, me, me holding the Agatha teapot, I'd appreciate a copy.

I got absolutely no new writing done today - but I think I'm almost back to where I should be in terms of head-space.

Having said that - I know this may never, every happen again and I need to really savour it...and I am.

thank you again for all your kind words and encouragement!!!

Trip home was easy - short US air flight to Burlington. The only hitch was at the Phillipsburg border crossing back into Canada. Only two customs lanes open. Huge long line. I, of course, got into the slow one. And I mean SLOW. But we cleared eventually. got to the Montreal apartment...ordered pizza - and exhaled. Phew... that I think is always the best part...getting back quietly and being able to just slip into PJs, eat pizza, and smile.

Tomorrow Michael takes the car in - winter tired finally off...while I write. Then we have a Palliative Care talk late in the afternoon followed by a buffet supper with the organizor, a friend named Kappy Flanders.

We have friends with interesting names. Kappy. cotton. Wilder. susan. Well, her name is fine, it's the woman who's strange.

Will try to speak to you tomorrow. Be well - and thanks for the company.

Malice Domestic

Sunny, hot, highs 80

Gorgeous outside. Very nice inside too. The conference Malice Domestic has started, though the first day is always a little quiet. Had a nice buffet breakfast - meeting lots of people we know from last year and from other mystery conferences like Bouchercon.

It's great to ease into it. I always feel shy at first. But as the day goes on I feel more and more comfortable. I think it's about belonging.

They do a thing here called Malice-go-round - there are 15 tables of 10 seats. First time authors each sit at a table with 9 readers/fans. They have 3 minutes to tell the people at the table about their book - then they move to the next table. I did it last year when Still Life was just out in the States. Very exhausting and intimidating.

This year I went as a 'reader' - to support the new authors. It is so moving to be part of their excitement. And there are a lot of very talented new writers out there.

Then they did a Malice-go-round for the other veteran authors like me. So for two hours we did the rounds of the tables - 3 minutes at a time. Introducing ourselves and talking about our books.

Quite exhausting, but exciting and invigorating too.

Now we're on a quiet time - a two hour break in our room to read the programme and make plans. Actually, we have to rush out now for the official opening ceremonies. they'll be introducing the Agatha nominees. Thrilled to be among them!!!

tomorrow is an early day - there's a new authors breakfast. I did that last year too - so it's nice to go and support this years new crop.

Speak to you tomorrow!