The Nero

hot, muggy, thunder storm, but still muggy - temps 28

thank you for all your lovely comments yesterday after I reached the end of the book! Oh, it just feels amazing. Freeing.

Now - probably three more drafts - though they progressively less arduous, until finally, with luck, the last one is a polish. then it gets sent - at the end of August I hope - to Teresa Chris, my agent in London. If she likes it, it gets sent to my two editors, Dan with Little, Brown in London, and Hope with Minotaur Books in the US.

While I'm on tour in September I hope they read it, make their notes and by the time I finish tour I can consider their suggestions and spend the time until Christmas fine-tuning the book.

And then, begin the next one in the New Year....though I try to take january and February to relax, and start planning the next book before getting down to writing it in March.

It took me a few books to work out that structure for my work-year. I used to just go along, doing what needed to be done. And that works brilliantly for some - but I realized I felt off balance the whole time. Vulnerable. And I needed structure. In my work-day and in my work-year. From there I can diverge from it - still need to be flexible. But it cuts down on worrying if I'm going to make deadline or not. Now I know where I'm at. One less thing to worry about and more energy to put into the writing. And my life with Michael.

Had magnificent news yesterday! My great friend - and a fabulous writers - Jane Cleland wrote to tell me that BURY YOUR DEAD had been nominated for the Nero Award! It's an American award given by the Wolfe Pack - and organization dedicated to the works, obviously, of Rex Stout, whose character was Nero Wolfe. the award is given to the mystery book that most exemplifies literary excellence, ala Stout.

I'm afraid I don't yet know who the other nominees are = but this is the first time one of my books has been shortlisted for this award. Very exciting! As you see, I'm quite greedy!!

Hope you're enjoying your day. I sure am!