December 18, 2007

INTO THE DARK

This is my equivalent of looking for those girls in the Jungian basement — a trip into the dark snowy woods. I was thinking I should have brought my headlamp, I could barely see beyond my ski tips. But out from the darkness, a giant owl swooped at me, bringing a primal flutter of fear with the soft beat of its wings. It stilled my heart, and made it race. It made me stop, and listen. And then I heard the soft chink of sleighbells in the snow.

From the blackness, through the whirling flakes, over the snowy field, emerged giant black percherons carting a sleigh with people huddled quietly in blankets, watching the night. It’s gifts like this I hope to find as I venture into my own mind, looking for story gems in the murk. And often it’s at times like this, when I make the journey a physical one, that the ideas come to me. As they did on this night.

I skied on, and came across a group seated around a small bonfire, warming their hands as they waited for their turn on the sleigh, yellow and orange sparks popping into the frozen night. A tree full of Christmas lights twinkled beyond the glass windows of the building behind them, where tables were set with white linen and silver for dinner.

Then I ducked back into the dark … knowing just what my heroine was going to find

December 16, 2007

TIME FOR A NEW STORY

And a new photo montage helps steer me in the right direction …. it’s just a start, though, as I’m getting a feel for my new characters.

And — drumroll please — the winner of the Six Months of Good Reads Contest is ….. EVE M!!!!

Congrats, Eve. Please let me know your choice And thanks to all who participated. Please watch this space because I will soon be giving away an advance copy of THE HEART OF A RENEGADE.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday period.

December 15, 2007

OUT IN ICELAND

Look what arrived in my mailbox. Can’t understand a word

Winner of Six Months of Good Reads Contest gets drawn out a hat tonight — watch for result tomorrow!!

December 14, 2007

DARK DAYS OF WINTER

And getting darker still. But we’ll turn the corner soon

Don’t forget to check back on Dec 16 when I announce the winner of my Six Months of Good Reads Contest. The draw happens Dec. 15 — tomorrow.  One day left to play!

And thank you to all who participated.

December 10, 2007

SNOW PLACE LIKE IT

Ski runs on Blackcomb Mountain. My path today. Cold. But I do have a new story cooking

December 5, 2007

GONE SKI-MING

No comment on form, please! But this is where I’ll be for the next week or two … out of the ‘office’ and ski-ming. Plotting. On the hills, on the trails. With the skis and the snowshoes. Getting in touch with those girls in the basement.

I’ve been looking forward to stepping back from the computer for a few days. I have met my major deadlines for the year, and reached a personal milestone. Last week I submitted my 10th contracted novel to Harlequin/Silhouette, so it’s a good time, I think, to set some new goals for the coming the year.

Then again … those edits may arrive the instant I post this ….