Hello, 2006

The sequel to The Silver Spoon is done! Yes, as in done, done. I’m working now to find a cheap copy place to make all my copies to send to my first readers. I finished it on New Year’s Day—a good start to the New Year, I’d say. I’m currently in the “Oh, God, what if it sucks?” stage. So, I’ll be holding my breath for the next month or so as my first readers plow through it. At the moment, it’s 424 pages. At its longest, the page count was 442, but I cut out some chapters already and may have to do more cutting. I feel really good that it’s done, but I’ll feel better when someone else besides me has read it!

This last weekend, I also spent time cleaning up my writing room and finally unpacking the three boxes that have sat in the center of the room since September. I’m actually making plans to hang things on the wall in this house (hear that, husband of mine?), which means I hope that we aren’t moving anytime soon again.

I’m moving on now to do more work on the mystery project and perhaps revisiting Bitter Pill. Yesterday when I was “cleaning” (which really translates to, sitting on the floor and shuffling piles of paper from one place to another), I got sucked into reading my draft of Sleep Tight, the book that follows Bitter Pill. To be sure, there are problems with it, but I still really like it and I love the characters. So, to get to that one, I have to get Bitter Pill out there first. I love that one too!

Last night, I went shopping at my second favorite place to shop—an office supply store! Bookstores are, of course, the first. I suspect that other writers are as entranced as I am by the reams of blank paper, the new pens behind their pristine plastic and oh, all the folders and post-it notes….so many possibilities! So many stories that could be written with these magical tools. Seriously, if you’re ever looking for the perfect gift for a writer, it’s an ink cartridge for her printer and a ream of paper. Or, maybe a really good pen. Not an expensive one, mind you, but one that you’ve tried. It feels good in the hand—no cramping issues—and the ink flows well and looks sharp on the paper.

I also bought a labeler. Yes, I know that’s truly pathetic, considering the disarray in which I spend most of my life. But I couldn’t help it. Labels! That I can make myself! On folders and envelopes and everything!

I’m also beginning to suspect that office supply shopping might be another form of procrastination. You see, now that I have new folders and a labeler, I must spend time organizing and creating labels. Otherwise, it’s a waste of good book money : )

Okay, that’s enough for now. Stay tuned for “Best Books of 2005” list. I’m trying to remember all of them!