February, 9, 2023

Daily Diary, Day 891: Another very productive day yesterday, ended up with 1025 words written, and almost finished the chapter I was reworking. I was having trouble with the last paragraph when it was dinner time, so I left it.

Wouldn't you know, when I got back to writing this morning, I did some light editing on what I had written yesterday to get back up to speed, and then I decided I didn't need that last paragraph, it was just going to feel anti-climatic (which is probably why I was having trouble with it.) So, I condensed it down to a sentence and popped that sentence into the next chapter, where it fit better. All about pacing.

But now it is time to post this, get ready for my noon zoom meeting and phone meeting afterwards (plus lunch). I hope that in the 2 hours I have left this afternoon to make some progress on that next scene, maybe even finish, so I will be ready to start on the main climax chapter on Friday.

This morning I read an article by Deborah Crombie, who writes one of my favorite contemporary mystery series. Her 19th book in her series just came out (I have gotten it as audiobook and will listen to it as soon as I finish the Tony Hillerman I am reading now. ) Most of the time she puts a book out every year, and I always read the newest when it comes out - which I don't do with very many authors. But her last one was 2019, so I suspect she got derailed by Covid as many authors did.

I would suggest you check out the piece because it is all about those series that have successfully maintained a romantic relationship between their two protagonists over time--not always an easy thing to do.

In addition, I have read at least a couple of books in every one of the series she mentions, and I pretty much agree with her assessment that the relationships hold up well and add to the mysteries. When I conceived of my Victorian San Francisco historical mystery protagonists, Annie and Nate, way back in 1980s, the only one of these I had read was the Lord Peter Whimsey Harriet Vane books, and they were definitely my inspiration.

I highly recommend you look for these books. I think you will find a good deal of reading pleasure waiting for you!

I had another good 50 minute walk, today, it is already in the mid 70s, supposed to be this way tomorrow, then sudden chill with high in 50s! Still hard to find any blooms, this was a single one on a bush, but so lovely and fragile looking!