IFOA

Partly cloudy, cool, temps 10

Terrific flight yesterday...air canada. got the emergency exit - three seats in a row and no one in the middle seat, so Michael and I were able to share the row, just ourselves. What a difference that makes on a long flight. Well, not that long. 4.5 hours. But long enough. Air Canada has upgraded most of it's fleet, so on longer flights every seat has it's own television. So I watched Entourage and Modern Family all across the continent.

Smart enough to buy sandwiches and soft drinks...then we had a nice picnic at 39,000 feet. Quite fun. Arrived to minus 4 degrees in Toronto and a minor snowstorm just north of the city. Snuck in just in time!

The International Festival of Authors is a magnificent literary festival. The current artistic director, Geoffrey Taylor, began getting crime fiction writers on the schedule a few years ago, and has quietly added to their importance. Sending the subversive message that good crime fiction is good literature. that there is no border between literary fiction and crime fiction. And this year, bless his soul, he's made Noir a theme!

the other thing I adore about Geoffrey is he's one of the few literary types who recognizes that my books are on the surface bright and shiny...but beneath that is a streak of darkness. But at their heart - hidden under it all - is hope. And kindness. That noir and blanche live together, naturally. And need each other.

It's a great pleasure to be here, and be a part of this revolution. Peter Robinson, Lisa Scottoline, Giles Blunt, Jeff Lindsay, RJ Ellory, Peter James and others standing up and letting our literary voices join those of Michael Cunningham, Emma Donoghue, Jonathan Frazen etc.

Besides - it's just plain fun.

Have a noon signing tomorrow with Lisa Scottoline at the Indigo bookstore at the Manulife Centre - then a reading at 8pm at the IFOA. Then a roundtable discussion on Sunday at the IFOA with Anne Emery, John Lawton, and Lisa - moderated by a terrific Canadian crime writer, Andrew Pyper.

It's funny, but as wonderful, magical, generous as San Francosco was - there's something special about being here. It has surprised me. I wonder if it's just being back in Canada - or being at the IFOA... a familiarity issue. Being this close to home.

I think it might just be familiarity. As much fun as this tour, and as kind as everyone has been, what gets tiring for me is never being anyplace familiar. Every place is new. That can be exciting...but given my personality, after a while I really just want home. or, if not home, then places I recognize. Like here.

Of course, I might just be nuts.

Speak to you tomorrow. Hope to see you at one of the events. Have a great weekend!

En plein coeur - bien sur!

overcast, hot, temps 30

This is the day. The first of my books is now in stores in French! I'd never have thought it would be this emotional for me. I always knew I felt it was a shame that the series couldn't be read where I live, and by the people I write about...but the degree of joy I feel has quite taken me by surprise.

and now the trick is not to let it slop over into worrying about how it's doing! Stay in the moment and the delight.

Still Life is called En plein coeur, in French. And the second book will be coming out January 7th. Very fun.

We're in Toronto for an event at the Courtyard Stage, as part of the Canadian national Exhibition. I'll be doing a reading along with linwood Barclay. It's at 5:30. someone will be coming to the hotel to escort us there. or, as Michael likes to say - 'they're coming to take you away, ha ha.'

hmmm.

Had fun Tuesday. Breakfast in Cowansville, then off to see jacques and Louise in the Granby hospital. Stayed about 1 and a half hours. When I bent down to kiss Jacques goodbye I heard...click, click, click. And immediately knew what it was. The long string of pearls I was wearing had dropped into Jacques urinal, hanging on the side of his bed. I stared at Jacques, wide eyed. He stared at me, wide eyed - then he smiled - and reassured me there was nothing in the urinal...except pearls.

I can't help but think this wasn't what my grandmother, or mother, had in mind when they passed them down to me. I sometimes think my life is not so much unfolding as unraveling.

Then we hopped into the car and scooted to the manoir Hovey for lunch and a TV interview with the CBC French network - Radio Canada. Their telejournal. It went well, thanks mostly to the lovely host, Anne-Marie, and the kind cameraman, Alain. I stumbled and bumbled. But I'm hoping they'll think it charming.

Then off to Montreal - and yesterday we were up early to come to Toronto. Met susan for lunch - she's here for meetings. Then borther Doug and his son Brian came to the hotel to stay the night with us. We hadn't seen Brian for a year and really miss him. wow - he's turned into a man! Tall, low voice, and a man's outlook. god, how does this happen. And gorgeous too. And very funny. Had Tex-Mex for dinner....then they watched a movie and we went to bed.

they've left now - and I'm off for a haircut - finally. Let's hope for the best - these things are always 'iffy'. But Hope, my US editor, gave me a bottle of pills that cure bad hair cuts. I have them with me!

Speak to you tomorrow I hope!

Happy En plein coeur day!!!

Diet? Does Jenny Craig know about this???

Cloudy, drizzle, but mild, temps 14

We're in Toronto...off to an event in nearby Orangeville tonight. It's at the Millcroft Inn and is organized by Nancy Frater, the owner of Booklore Stores - a truly great Canadian independent bookstore - and the local Alzheimers Association. A fundraiser.

Love doing fundraisers.

Limo will pick us up at the hotel and take us there...dinner with Nancy first, then to the event where I will talk, read, answer questions, sign books, and drive back to Toronto...in by midnight. Tomorrow there's the launch at Sleuth of Baker Street...always a hoot.

Still wrestling with the company name...great suggestions from readers, though. Thank you!!

Village Green Inc.
Steak Frites Inc.
Lord Love a Duck Inc
Pine, Pine and Pine, Inc
Oink ink
Pennywise Inc
A Wee Plan Inc
Spiderweb Inc

And lots more. Someone suggested that Quel Cochon - my original idea - might also translate as 'What a pervert" not just 'Porn Productions'...she said if I went with that as a company name she'd design the logo for free. Almost worth it...if only to see the lawyer, Richard's face.

Adding, perhaps, to his impression I'm up to no good must be a typo in an earlier blog from last week, where I describe meeting a friend - Tony Bidalka - for a drink in the Bouchercon bar in Indianapolis. I wanted - according to my blog - a diet cock.

Now, some kind soul did email and say I might want to edit that...but she was too much of a lady to say what I had written and I thought, really how bad could it be?

That bad. Finally, last night, my brother Doug wrote and, like brothers, was quite explicit and delighted.

Here we are, at the world HQ of Porn Productions, ordering Diet Cocks. THIS is how you get onto the New York times bestseller list! I now wonder if the suggestion of A Wee Plan Inc was a euphemism.

Another company name I love that someone sent (Marjorie) was an anagram of Armand Gamache... A Managed Charm, Inc.

Do you have other ideas? Any preferences? Honestly, this is just for bookkeeping and will never be in neon lights. But it is nice to choose one that has meaning. I actually am leaning toward Oink Ink. Can't imagine that isn't taken, though.

Oh, by the way - the pronunciation guide is finally up on the website...will try to write more about that tomorrow, and highlight it. But thought you might like to know.

Be well. And thanks for all these fun suggestions...WAY more creative than I am!

Toronto

brilliant sunshine, cool, temps 8

Gorgeous day! flight from Indianapolis sift and sure...very easy. getting through Canadian customs is always a crap-shoot. Not actually making it through, but whether there will be dreadfully long lines...(see trip back from NYC about a month ago!) But last night it was easy...sailed right through.

slept soundly in this wonderful hotel room at the InterContinental downtown...I always take the Club Floor...not surprise to Michael. He'd sleep in a phonebooth. Really doesn't much care about his surroundings. Whereas, I care deeply. He has now succumbed to the inevitability of my asking for an upgrade everytime we arrive at a hotel...and it often works. Never demand, never expect, always smile and always accept graciously when it isn't possible. but it's shocking how often the desk people will give out free room upgrades.

I paid to get onto the Club floor here, and I then asked if a suite, or a larger room was available. it wasn't last night, but this morning they came and said they can give me an even bigger one today. I'm just a glutton for space.

This is a great hotel...right up there with the SoHo Met just down the street...though they are very different. The soho is very chic, very cool - GREAT design. And fabulous general manager in David Kelley. This one, the InterContinental, has bright, large rooms - mine overlooks the lake and I can see small plane in the distance landing on the Island airport...and the Club level is amazing!

Listen to this... there is a large, lovely lounge on the 8th floor where breakfast is served each morning (included in the room price) with again, massive windows. Very relaxing and cheery. Then mid afternoon they serve an English cream tea with scones and sandwiches (also included) and then from 5 to 7pm there's the cocktail 'hour'...must pay for alcoholic drinks but others are included...and wonderful hot hors d'oeurves. Yummy.

Now, I have to admit, I have many flaws, but I am not cheap. I'm more than willing to pay (if I have the money) for great rooms and service...and always leave the housekeepers good tips... but I love great service...and gravitate to that. Who doesn't? So this InterContinental Club floor is terrific.

I tell Michael how fortunate he is to have a wife who does not need or even want the trophy home, or jewelery, or fancy cars or clothing. But I do love to travel well. He has so far stayed mum on whether this is such a great thing!

Will meet his train tonight at 5pm...can hardly wait! In the meantime, a lovely, luxurious day of doing nothing. Reading the Sunday Times and sipping coffee in my bright room, gazing outside every now and then, watching graceful little plane drift to a landing on the island in the lake. How great is this???

Are you still enjoying the tour? We have a few days off...though I might do some writing tomorrow...then a few events later in the week. And no - the InterContinental did not pay me for this advert - though...

be well - talk to you tomorrow.

Busy, but good, day

mainly sunny, warm, temps 27

Just took the laundry off the clothes line. Couldn't resist plunging my face into one of Michael's nightshirts. No aroma like it in the world.

Wayne came and cut the whole lawn - big job. We got caught up on village gossip over a pink lemonade. Who has opened a new vineyard, how belts are made, strange uses for septic tanks. Ask me anything now.

Had a lovely email from niece Sarah in Edmonton. Her knee won't need a big operation after all. But mostly it was about the death of Auntie Mary's father, Don. Like me, Sarah knew him as a kind and gentle man. Sarah also said how sad she was for young Brian, Rozie and Charlie. She was about their age when she lost her grandma (my mother) and it felt as though her world had shattered. And I realized this would be the kids first death in the family. So hard...and so difficult to see their mother in such pain too.

Am off in a few minutes to Vermont to tank the car up for the trip to Toronto tomorrow, visitation in the evening and Don's funeral on Friday. After getting gas I'll pick up the organic vegetables and then some fudge for Brian, Rozie and Charlie. When they come to Sutton the home-made fudge store is always a highlight.

Spent about 4 hours editing today...interspersed with 2 fun conversations. One with an aquaintance, Anna Maria Tremonti - just comparing notes. Anna Maria's a well-known journalist in Canada, and I used to be a journalist (famous for the hog market reports, thank you) and the other conversation was with a woman with the great name of Flannery. She writes for Chatelaine Magazine and was doing an interview. I had a riot...she was terrific. One of the most fun interviews I've had!

Editing went well - thank God. Am at page 202 in a 267 page manuscript (single spaced still). Word count is hovering around 117,000. Not bad, since we started at 140,000. I know there's stuff that needs to be added later in the manuscript, so I'm thinking the appropriate length is around 120,000.

Off to TO tomorrow. Pat has said she'll look after our 2 dogs - which is amazingly kind of her considering she has her infant grand-twins (4 months old), their 3 year old brother and two other children under the age of 5 visiting. I suspect Tony will come and spend the nights we're away here, and house-sit/dog-sit. I would too, if I was him!

Am off on my appointed rounds. We leave about 5am tomorrow. Try to get across the Champlain Bridge into Montreal early (construction on the bridge too)...the off to Toronto. About a 6 hour drive from here.

Probably won't blog tomorrow, but will try to do something from the hotel on Friday.

I'll take a gallon of waterbury spa spray misty morning

Beautiful day - sunny and cold highs minus 4

I'm dashing off to Montreal this morning. Michael and I have kept a small apartment there and I'll stay the night then catch a train to Toronto for Sunday's books and high tea event. Was planning to grab a shower here in the country before going into the city, since last time we were there (last week) the hot water had been turned off. For 5 days. Leading up to and including the huge Books and Breakfast event at the Omni hotel in Montreal. for three months I was terrified I'd stink at the event - did everything in my power to prevent it - then that happens. I did stink.

But today once again my best plans have been waylaid. No shower. Instead at the crack of dawn I was at the construction place with a gallon of paint, trying to change the colour slightly. For the new bathroom. yes, Gary is still there. Everything is almost done....just need to paint. But every colour I choose is worse than the last. Gary dabs it on, the three of us step back, and play a game of chicken to see who'll be the first to say, 'Yech'.

The wall is now polka dotted, in an interesting effect I've never actually seen on HGTV. Late yesterday I brought home yet another sample. with amazement we all watched as it went on and disappeared. No sign of it at all on the wall. We leaned in, leaned out. Rubbed our chins. Nothing.

'I think maybe just a shade darker might work,' said Gary.

'You think?' Michael asked.

We all nodded.

So no shower this ayem, instead I got the paint. Whizzed back home, gave it to Gary, who put it on the wall. We said a little paint prayer - actually it was more of a paint swear.

And waited.

Loe and behold - it appeared...a fantastic aqua kind of sea mist, spring peat in a high meadow whatever colour. Thats going to be my next job - naming paint colours. An adjunct to crime fiction.

Whatever it was called - it's perfect...now I'm rushing off.

Be well - and I'll write when I find work. I promise.