overcast, some rain cool, temps 17
Back to rain...sat today in front of the fire, drinking cafe au lait and dipping biscotti. It was, I have to say, quite lovely. I'm actually liking this summer...every now and then the sun comes out and it's hot, hot, hot - so we swim and sit on the porch...then it gets all cool and rainy and we get to enjoy a fire. It's like two seasons in one. The Oreo cookie of seasons.
Have printed out a hard copy of Bury Your Dead, and and reading it. It's quite a different experience, reading the hardcopy. I get it printed by Bob in Sutton...single-spaced, double sided and bound. So it looks and feels like a real book. Very exciting. Then I read it. After thinking all the polishing is done I'm still finding something on almost every page that could be changed. Mostly small things...but often something, for me, as big as a sentence that doesn't work, or a change of topic that is too abrupt. It's a really valuable, and pleasurable, part of the writing process.
Zipped into Sutton to get a baguette, pate, vegetarian pate (for my brother), beer (for an other visiting family member) and other provisions for the weekend. Forecast keeps changing...I honestly don't know why I bother to look!
Might not get the change to blog tomorrow, but will try. Have a terrific weekend, and will get back to you as soon as possible.
Enjoy!
Friday, 31 July 2009
Thursday, 30 July 2009
The scent of summer
sunny, hot, beautiful, temps 29
Glorious day - again. Nice breeze - a little humid but most hot days here in Quebec are. Did a couple loads of laundry and put the washing on the clothes line to dry. perfect weather for it. Nothing like the scent of line dried laundry.
Now there's a summer scent...
line dried laundry
peaches
fresh mowed grass
heat sizzling off asphalt
phlox
barbequed burgers
lemonade
These things I have loved...
Lovely, quiet day. Nancy, our computer surgeon, came by at 10am to fix my email...it wasn't receiving on my personal account. Now I need to get in touch with her again, because while it is now receiving, it isn't sending from that account.
Still, everything else is going along perfectly. Awaiting family visits this weekend. It's a long weekend for most of Canada, just not Quebec. Weather is supposed to be spectacular so it'll be reading and swimming and barbeques...and the Knowlton literary festival. Such fun to be in the audience, enjoying and not performing.
Be well...hope you've enjoyed your day.
Glorious day - again. Nice breeze - a little humid but most hot days here in Quebec are. Did a couple loads of laundry and put the washing on the clothes line to dry. perfect weather for it. Nothing like the scent of line dried laundry.
Now there's a summer scent...
line dried laundry
peaches
fresh mowed grass
heat sizzling off asphalt
phlox
barbequed burgers
lemonade
These things I have loved...
Lovely, quiet day. Nancy, our computer surgeon, came by at 10am to fix my email...it wasn't receiving on my personal account. Now I need to get in touch with her again, because while it is now receiving, it isn't sending from that account.
Still, everything else is going along perfectly. Awaiting family visits this weekend. It's a long weekend for most of Canada, just not Quebec. Weather is supposed to be spectacular so it'll be reading and swimming and barbeques...and the Knowlton literary festival. Such fun to be in the audience, enjoying and not performing.
Be well...hope you've enjoyed your day.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Canadian launch for The Brutal Telling
mainly sunny, very hot and humid temps 31
Now, this is a Quebec summer day in July. We're meeeelting. But what bliss for us. We worked, then took dips in the pool, then worked, and swam. Wonderful.
Had a terrific breakfast in Knowlton with Danny and Lucy. We decided that the local, and Canadian, launch of THE BRUTAL TELLING would be an event. Like last time when we held High Tea at Hovey Manor.
For THE BRUTAL TELLING we're doing a brunch in Knowlton on Sunday, October 4th. Not sure what hotel will host, probably the Lakeview. Danny and Lucy will be selling tickets that will cover the brunch, plus a small donation to the Yamaska Literacy Council, which tutors and works to teach local men and women how to read and write. I'm thrilled we're raising money for them. We'll also have draws for signed books, and a special, limited edition, Vive Gamache cafe au lait mug.
We'd LOVE to see you there. If you're interested call Danny and Lucy at their bookshop (Brome Lake Books) - 450-242-2242. I know for sure they haven't set a price for the brunch, but if you'd like to reserve a few places you might want to call early. If last year's launch is any indication, we'll sell out quite fast, though I think we can go up to 150 places.
Will let you know as it gets closer. It's also a fun excuse for a weekend in the Eastern Townships!
And, there's a great literary festival happening in Knowlton this weekend, called Letters from Knowlton. And among the guests will be Noah Richler, Neil Smith and Heather O'Neill. Michael and I are going to hear Neil - who wrote Bang Crunch and Heather - who wrote Lullabye for Little Criminals - on Saturday afternoon at 1pm...such a fan of their books. If you're interested you can ask Danny and Lucy about tickets too.
Feels like lots of business today! But a great day. Off to see our neighbors for cocktails, then home for a quiet evening...Thunderstorm warning out - not sure if we should take the car. Feels ridiculous to do the car from so close, but better than dodging a downpour and lightning.
Speak tomorrow!
Now, this is a Quebec summer day in July. We're meeeelting. But what bliss for us. We worked, then took dips in the pool, then worked, and swam. Wonderful.
Had a terrific breakfast in Knowlton with Danny and Lucy. We decided that the local, and Canadian, launch of THE BRUTAL TELLING would be an event. Like last time when we held High Tea at Hovey Manor.
For THE BRUTAL TELLING we're doing a brunch in Knowlton on Sunday, October 4th. Not sure what hotel will host, probably the Lakeview. Danny and Lucy will be selling tickets that will cover the brunch, plus a small donation to the Yamaska Literacy Council, which tutors and works to teach local men and women how to read and write. I'm thrilled we're raising money for them. We'll also have draws for signed books, and a special, limited edition, Vive Gamache cafe au lait mug.
We'd LOVE to see you there. If you're interested call Danny and Lucy at their bookshop (Brome Lake Books) - 450-242-2242. I know for sure they haven't set a price for the brunch, but if you'd like to reserve a few places you might want to call early. If last year's launch is any indication, we'll sell out quite fast, though I think we can go up to 150 places.
Will let you know as it gets closer. It's also a fun excuse for a weekend in the Eastern Townships!
And, there's a great literary festival happening in Knowlton this weekend, called Letters from Knowlton. And among the guests will be Noah Richler, Neil Smith and Heather O'Neill. Michael and I are going to hear Neil - who wrote Bang Crunch and Heather - who wrote Lullabye for Little Criminals - on Saturday afternoon at 1pm...such a fan of their books. If you're interested you can ask Danny and Lucy about tickets too.
Feels like lots of business today! But a great day. Off to see our neighbors for cocktails, then home for a quiet evening...Thunderstorm warning out - not sure if we should take the car. Feels ridiculous to do the car from so close, but better than dodging a downpour and lightning.
Speak tomorrow!
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
A perfect day
sunny, warm, temps 28
Absolutely stunning day. Slight breeze - enough to chase away most of the deer flies (which can take huge chunks out of you)...and finally warm verging on hot. Quebec is a region of extremes, as you might have noticed in the books. We veer from minue 30 in winter to plus 30 in summer...which is, very roughly, minus 20 fahrenheit to 90 degrees. Often colder and hotter on some days.
We have a fan in our bedroom, on the ceiling, that Gary installed that looks like an art deco propeller. And noiseless. And yet, while it's way better than not having one and really cools the room, I find my sleep restless with it on. Not sure why.
Sometime in the night it almost always cools down enough to drag the blankets back up.
Had a wonderful day...had a few idea for fine-tuning the book. A sentence there, and paragraph inserted over here. Nothing to do with the actual plot, really...mostly character development and a subtler way of saying something without actually saying it. I hope.
Wrote up the Bradley interview. Just a few fact-finding questions I need to clear up with him. But the majority is done.
Linda Lyall - the most magnificent website designer in the world - and I have been working on the home page, and got an updated one up and running. And the newsletters all written.
It would be great to get everything done before August arrives. Then the only thing I need do is write that novella for literacy. But that isn't due until February 2010...but I'd love to have it written, edited and accepted before Christmas so I'm not heading into the New Year with something hanging over my head.
Beverley Haun, who I stayed with last weekend along with her husband John Moss, has been bidding on and buying rugs for me over at ebay. Trudy, god bless her, has managed to vomit or eat (often one then the other) most of our rugs. She's spared, thank God, the best ones, but that was more dumb luck than design. Anyway, we're in need of new ones and I a) have no expertise in the area b) have no desire to spend thousands on something Trudy or Buttercup or some future family member might enhance... so while visiting Bev showed me her fabulous Oriental carpets she got off eBay, in some cases for very, very little.
So now she's on the hunt for us. Since she a) knows rugs b) knows dogs she's perfect. We've been having great fun with it.
Off for breakfast tomorrow with Danny and Lucy, of Brome Lake Books in Knowlton... they're friends, and have hosted the launch of almost all my books...so we're scheming the local launch for THE BRUTAL TELLING. Come if you can!
Off to fire up the barbeque...burgers and salad, and what's left of Pat's blueberry and pear crisp, with vanilla ice cream.
Exhale
Absolutely stunning day. Slight breeze - enough to chase away most of the deer flies (which can take huge chunks out of you)...and finally warm verging on hot. Quebec is a region of extremes, as you might have noticed in the books. We veer from minue 30 in winter to plus 30 in summer...which is, very roughly, minus 20 fahrenheit to 90 degrees. Often colder and hotter on some days.
We have a fan in our bedroom, on the ceiling, that Gary installed that looks like an art deco propeller. And noiseless. And yet, while it's way better than not having one and really cools the room, I find my sleep restless with it on. Not sure why.
Sometime in the night it almost always cools down enough to drag the blankets back up.
Had a wonderful day...had a few idea for fine-tuning the book. A sentence there, and paragraph inserted over here. Nothing to do with the actual plot, really...mostly character development and a subtler way of saying something without actually saying it. I hope.
Wrote up the Bradley interview. Just a few fact-finding questions I need to clear up with him. But the majority is done.
Linda Lyall - the most magnificent website designer in the world - and I have been working on the home page, and got an updated one up and running. And the newsletters all written.
It would be great to get everything done before August arrives. Then the only thing I need do is write that novella for literacy. But that isn't due until February 2010...but I'd love to have it written, edited and accepted before Christmas so I'm not heading into the New Year with something hanging over my head.
Beverley Haun, who I stayed with last weekend along with her husband John Moss, has been bidding on and buying rugs for me over at ebay. Trudy, god bless her, has managed to vomit or eat (often one then the other) most of our rugs. She's spared, thank God, the best ones, but that was more dumb luck than design. Anyway, we're in need of new ones and I a) have no expertise in the area b) have no desire to spend thousands on something Trudy or Buttercup or some future family member might enhance... so while visiting Bev showed me her fabulous Oriental carpets she got off eBay, in some cases for very, very little.
So now she's on the hunt for us. Since she a) knows rugs b) knows dogs she's perfect. We've been having great fun with it.
Off for breakfast tomorrow with Danny and Lucy, of Brome Lake Books in Knowlton... they're friends, and have hosted the launch of almost all my books...so we're scheming the local launch for THE BRUTAL TELLING. Come if you can!
Off to fire up the barbeque...burgers and salad, and what's left of Pat's blueberry and pear crisp, with vanilla ice cream.
Exhale
Monday, 27 July 2009
What a beach
mainly sunny, warm, temps 26
Lovely day...feels like summer. Though I just ellipticated so I suspect most of the humidity is coming off of me. I'm my own micro-climate.
Had a terrific luncheon with Emilita and Charles, Marjorie, Michael and me. Pat made the most wonderful salads...a bulgar and bean, a broccoli and a spinach, strawberry and toasted almond...followed by the famous pear and blueberry crisp. I'd also put out sliced black forest ham, pheasant and pistachio pate and stinky, runny, yummy cheeses.
Janet did us proud with a superb seasfood chowder. I picked it up in the afternoon and she'd put it in a bucket! A nice white plastic on, but it certainly smacked of the seashore...felt as though instead of clam picking we'd managed to find the entire seafood chowder by the shores.
And the weather even, unexpectedly, cleared...with a nice breeze so it wasn't too hot.
Marjorie wanted to take us out to dinner last night but after Emilita and Charles left we decided to just stay in and have left-overs. Sat on the screen porch, watched the sun set, heard the rumble of distant thunder, and nibbled.
This morning after breakfast Marjorie headed out on the next stop of her tour...Kingston. Then home to Elora.
This week I need to finished the polish on book 6, write the August newsletter, write a new top for the homepage of the website, update the events list now that we're beginning to have a better idea of what's happening on the tour...and write up the interview with Alan Bradley for Mystery News Magazine. And we're meeting with Danny and Lucy from the Knowlton bookstore to discuss the local launch of The Brutal Telling. have changd that to Wednesday since we've accepted a dinner invitation from the people renting our cottage for Wednesday...despite my firm promise to myself to decline all invitations until I get other things under control, including my own private time. To that end, though, I called Martine and Andre this morning and asked if instead of dinner we could just do drinks...then we could come home. She was very gracious in the face of a not very gracious favour I was asking.
Still, it's a wonderful office I have here to do all those things. And I have to say, I'm so excited about the launch of The Brutal Telling I'll do whatever it takes to make sure as many people as possible know about it.
I imagine you have a busy week too...we can all have full lives together! So much more fun than feeling we're the only ones! I love knowing I'm not alone.
Lovely day...feels like summer. Though I just ellipticated so I suspect most of the humidity is coming off of me. I'm my own micro-climate.
Had a terrific luncheon with Emilita and Charles, Marjorie, Michael and me. Pat made the most wonderful salads...a bulgar and bean, a broccoli and a spinach, strawberry and toasted almond...followed by the famous pear and blueberry crisp. I'd also put out sliced black forest ham, pheasant and pistachio pate and stinky, runny, yummy cheeses.
Janet did us proud with a superb seasfood chowder. I picked it up in the afternoon and she'd put it in a bucket! A nice white plastic on, but it certainly smacked of the seashore...felt as though instead of clam picking we'd managed to find the entire seafood chowder by the shores.
And the weather even, unexpectedly, cleared...with a nice breeze so it wasn't too hot.
Marjorie wanted to take us out to dinner last night but after Emilita and Charles left we decided to just stay in and have left-overs. Sat on the screen porch, watched the sun set, heard the rumble of distant thunder, and nibbled.
This morning after breakfast Marjorie headed out on the next stop of her tour...Kingston. Then home to Elora.
This week I need to finished the polish on book 6, write the August newsletter, write a new top for the homepage of the website, update the events list now that we're beginning to have a better idea of what's happening on the tour...and write up the interview with Alan Bradley for Mystery News Magazine. And we're meeting with Danny and Lucy from the Knowlton bookstore to discuss the local launch of The Brutal Telling. have changd that to Wednesday since we've accepted a dinner invitation from the people renting our cottage for Wednesday...despite my firm promise to myself to decline all invitations until I get other things under control, including my own private time. To that end, though, I called Martine and Andre this morning and asked if instead of dinner we could just do drinks...then we could come home. She was very gracious in the face of a not very gracious favour I was asking.
Still, it's a wonderful office I have here to do all those things. And I have to say, I'm so excited about the launch of The Brutal Telling I'll do whatever it takes to make sure as many people as possible know about it.
I imagine you have a busy week too...we can all have full lives together! So much more fun than feeling we're the only ones! I love knowing I'm not alone.
Saturday, 25 July 2009
the crucial missing letter...
overcast, cool, then sunny and warm! temps 17-25
Another unpredictable day! But now it's mainly sunny and warm. Lovely. Marjorie arrived...since it was going to be rainy and cool I planned a claypot chicken for dinner...but then it's become the most beautiful day. Oh well.
It's lovely to be sitting with Michael and Marjorie on the screen porch, eating chocolate ice cream and drinking pink lemonade! An unexpected summer gift.
Had a quiet day today, now that the editing's done...just percolating...tiny little things occur. A better word here...a slight theme that could be subtly enhanced there. The book's at that wonderful, light polish stage.
Will polish for most of this week.
By the way, I mentioned in yesterday's blog a dessert Pat is making for tomorrow's luncheon. When I went back to re-read the post I roared with laughter to find I'd described it as a blueberry and pea crumble. Blech.
It's actually a blueberry and pear crumble. Much better.
Talk to you soon...
Another unpredictable day! But now it's mainly sunny and warm. Lovely. Marjorie arrived...since it was going to be rainy and cool I planned a claypot chicken for dinner...but then it's become the most beautiful day. Oh well.
It's lovely to be sitting with Michael and Marjorie on the screen porch, eating chocolate ice cream and drinking pink lemonade! An unexpected summer gift.
Had a quiet day today, now that the editing's done...just percolating...tiny little things occur. A better word here...a slight theme that could be subtly enhanced there. The book's at that wonderful, light polish stage.
Will polish for most of this week.
By the way, I mentioned in yesterday's blog a dessert Pat is making for tomorrow's luncheon. When I went back to re-read the post I roared with laughter to find I'd described it as a blueberry and pea crumble. Blech.
It's actually a blueberry and pear crumble. Much better.
Talk to you soon...
Friday, 24 July 2009
Now, dear, what's that in the middle of the table?
overcast, drizzle, sunny temps 18
Great day...finished the second edit. So odd...there were times I was so thrilled with the book I was tingling...other times I thought it was horrible. Happily, now that I've finished I'm back to thinking it's good.
Just glad to have it done!! Went for breakfast in Knowlton this morning at the cafe floral and spoke with their wonderful chef Janet about doing a soup for a luncheon we're having Sunday. I love eating soups...but not so good at making them, as you might guess.
Then came home - chatted with Tara at Minotaur Books about the US launch. Very exciting. She was saying they're getting overwhelming response to the Advance copies...not only requests, but fabulous reactions coming in now from booksellers and reviewers who have read it. What a relief!!
We're about 2 months away from the release.
Started editing today at 10am and finished just now...6pm. Tomorrow Michael's cousin Marjorie, from Elora, Ontario, is arriving...just for a couple of days. Having some people she knows here for lunch Sunday. Lunch is a 'community' affair. Pat makes the salads, I'll get fresh bread from the bakery, cheese from the fromagerie and sliced meat from a place called La Rumeur. Pat is also making a blueberry and pea crisp. And Janet will do the soup.
Have no idea what the weather will be like - hope we can sit on the porch.
Tomorrow morning, before Marjorie arrives, we need to clean up...amazing what we've stopped noticing. Mostly books on the stairs, magazines and newspapers on the tables, and mail on the counter. And Maggie's ashes in her wooden box in the dining room. Guests might not appreciate that as a centre piece.
Keep meaning to spread the ashes, along with Seamus and Bonnie - but am reluctant for some reason...I think I wonderful if they'll feel lonely out there, or abandonned. That's really why we waited until there were three of them...felt more like 'company'. But now I worry we'll become the weird people down the street with the pet mausoleum. Or the people with the really macabre centre pieces.
Next weekend we have more family arriving...another chance to clean up! Yippee.
I always thought, before my writing career, that it must be very glamorous - and certainly wonderful to finish a book. I had vague ideas of jetting off to Paris to celebrate...not rounding up the ashes of dead dogs, or trying to figure out whether to serve hot or cold soup.
But, actually, it's quite nice. The writing is a seemless part of my life. Indistinguishable from other events.
Well, that's not totally true. It gives me such pleasure I sometimes feel I'll burst.
Thanks for joining me!!
Great day...finished the second edit. So odd...there were times I was so thrilled with the book I was tingling...other times I thought it was horrible. Happily, now that I've finished I'm back to thinking it's good.
Just glad to have it done!! Went for breakfast in Knowlton this morning at the cafe floral and spoke with their wonderful chef Janet about doing a soup for a luncheon we're having Sunday. I love eating soups...but not so good at making them, as you might guess.
Then came home - chatted with Tara at Minotaur Books about the US launch. Very exciting. She was saying they're getting overwhelming response to the Advance copies...not only requests, but fabulous reactions coming in now from booksellers and reviewers who have read it. What a relief!!
We're about 2 months away from the release.
Started editing today at 10am and finished just now...6pm. Tomorrow Michael's cousin Marjorie, from Elora, Ontario, is arriving...just for a couple of days. Having some people she knows here for lunch Sunday. Lunch is a 'community' affair. Pat makes the salads, I'll get fresh bread from the bakery, cheese from the fromagerie and sliced meat from a place called La Rumeur. Pat is also making a blueberry and pea crisp. And Janet will do the soup.
Have no idea what the weather will be like - hope we can sit on the porch.
Tomorrow morning, before Marjorie arrives, we need to clean up...amazing what we've stopped noticing. Mostly books on the stairs, magazines and newspapers on the tables, and mail on the counter. And Maggie's ashes in her wooden box in the dining room. Guests might not appreciate that as a centre piece.
Keep meaning to spread the ashes, along with Seamus and Bonnie - but am reluctant for some reason...I think I wonderful if they'll feel lonely out there, or abandonned. That's really why we waited until there were three of them...felt more like 'company'. But now I worry we'll become the weird people down the street with the pet mausoleum. Or the people with the really macabre centre pieces.
Next weekend we have more family arriving...another chance to clean up! Yippee.
I always thought, before my writing career, that it must be very glamorous - and certainly wonderful to finish a book. I had vague ideas of jetting off to Paris to celebrate...not rounding up the ashes of dead dogs, or trying to figure out whether to serve hot or cold soup.
But, actually, it's quite nice. The writing is a seemless part of my life. Indistinguishable from other events.
Well, that's not totally true. It gives me such pleasure I sometimes feel I'll burst.
Thanks for joining me!!
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