Finished my first book of 2006—Thunder on the Right.
And while I didn’t precisely remember the plot, I already knew I wouldn’t be disappointed. For one thing, it’s Mary Stewart, and for another, I’d already read the book (more than a few times) a few years ago. The book was trademark Mary Stewart—glowing, vivid descriptions that not only pull you inexorably into the story but go a long way towards convincing you that she was there the first time to see it all. For me, Mary Stewart is classic romantic suspense, and while she deals with a wide variety of unpleasant subjects, she only touches on them, glossing over any gruesome details that might leave your mind lingering in that disturbed mental state long after the novel’s been put down. The romance itself tucked neatly into each of her stories is handled lightly but is beautifully developed and written. She uses words that, from most of us, would sound ridiculous, but coming from her, they seem lyrical, poetic, and perfect.
Ah…to find another Mary Stewart…to be another Mary Stewart. I think I’ll simply have to cherish my library of Ms. Stewart’s books, re-read them from time to time, always to be awed anew.

Next up: A Regency Invitation by Nicola Cornick, Joanna Maitland, and Elizabeth Rolls.

A member of my RWA chapter would add…*blows tootie horns* *throws confetti*, and I think it adds the perfect touch here…

Well, I’m hoping 2006 is extraordinarily productive. I haven’t really gotten myself into a writer zone yet, and I’ve been writing for five and a half years now! I only have about two hours a day to write, except on those days (Tues/Thurs) when my little one goes to Mother’s Day Out. Then I have about six. But I also have to deal with email, promotion, the occasional household chore, the occasional errand, and the occasional little task my husband sets for me. Sure these are mostly minor, but added up, they take time, and I’m not one of those people who can just sit down and get started. I don’t write just to get something down on paper—I want to actually be proud of the first revision, or it bugs me. Sure I change things and cut whole sections out later, and revisions go on forever with me, but I really wanna like it the first time too. I sit and pour over possible dialog nuances and whether I’ve added too much introspection, but then it all gets checked, double-checked, and triple-checked later. So really, I should just write and leave it to get edited in the second round. And I’m gonna try to do that. I’m gonna try not to surf around on the web for that perfect bag or perfect book, I’m gonna try not to get hung up on other people’s blogs, and I’m gonna try to update mine more regularly.

Thank goodness I’m not contracted and don’t have deadlines right now because I’m not ready to churn a book out in just a couple of months—I’m not properly disciplined. Plus, I really love to read too, and I’m a slow reader. I’ve decided this year, for each book I get through, I’m going to make a note of what I liked about the author’s style. Maybe knowing what stood out for me will help me write better, cleaner, and tighter.

January 2, 2006: Resolutions Made. Countdown begins till they’re broken…
Current read: Thunder on the Right by Mary Stewart (a re-read, and a favorite author of mine)

Ahhh…I feel at least a measure of relief. This morning—before eleven o’clock—I managed to bake gingerbread boys and sugar cookies, mix up and bake sausage balls, and add the chocolate and nut layers to the “gourmet apples” that are this year’s teacher’s gifts. Plus, I did almost all the dishes that were involved with these culinary projects (not to mention the caramel-coated crock pot left over from last night).

I feel I can breathe a little bit easier—at least for a couple of days. Christmas is at my house this year—Christmas Eve with my family, Christmas morning with my husband’s, Christmas dinner with both sets! I want to be prepared—I don’t want to be fixing things last minute while everyone else is enjoying their gifts and the lazy blanket of Christmas spirit. I’m gonna do my darnedest, but I’m guessing that something unforeseen will happen…a missing ingredient, a forgotten dish, or a shortage of orange juice. Last year I forgot to set the tables until we were literally ready to eat! (I’m not a table-setter. My husband and I serve ourselves right off the stove).

Personally I think Martha Stewart is sort of old-school. I don’t know anyone who relates to her little brand of perfection. Sure, it would be great if we all had time to decorate with marzipan, but who can’t find something better to do? No one seems to care about garnishing anymore or much about presentation—they have better things to do with their time. And I side with them. Sure a twist of lemon is attractive, but someone has to buy the lemon, someone has to cut it, and that one fleeting moment before it’s moved dismissively to the side just isn’t worth it.

And whatever happened to lingering over dinner? I’m usually the last one to sit down because I’m getting one last thing for one last person. And by the time I do finally get to relax into a chair, family members are actually finished and getting up! They see no problem leaving me in the dining room to eat all by myself!! Sure, they’re doing me the favor of cleaning up, but can’t that wait even a few minutes? It’s Christmas, for heaven’s sake!

I will never be the hostess of large dinner parties—preparing food for a large number of people and orchestrating everything such that it’s all warm at the same time is much too stressful for me. My husband doesn’t understand it at all. When he inquires over my worries, I give him a run-down of all the what-ifs. He thinks I’m pessimistic. I say I’m realistic. We’ll see what happens this year.