Saturday, January 16, 2010

A Little of This and a Little of That

What I'm Reading

I'm a little over halfway through Devil's Peak, an excellent novel by South African crime writer Deon Meyer. I haven't read anything by this author before, but chose his book at random as I wandered the stacks at the library. I picked up another one as well, Blood Safari. Meyer is an outstanding writer.


Mystery Lovers' Kitchen

If you don't already visit Mystery Lovers' Kitchen, you're missing a lot of fun and some excellent recipes from a group of food niche mystery writers. This Angel Food Cake with No-Brainer Blueberry Sauce looks so good. This is where you'll find Riley Adams (also known as Elizabeth Spann Craig), the author of the upcoming Memphis Barbecue Mysteries. Memphis Barbecue. Yum. Stop by the blog and check out Riley and the rest of the contributors.


The Writing

Today and tomorrow are writing days. I had a laundry list of chores to do first, but I'm about to open my Word document and charge ahead. Earlier in December I estimated I'd have a first draft in 10,000 words. It's now almost 10,000 words later, and I still have more story to tell. I blame it on my characters who decided they weren't finished yet. Or maybe I'm having trouble letting go.

Anyway, I'm logging off the internet now and won't be back until much later (or even tomorrow). What are you doing this weekend?

7 comments:

Jan Morrison said...

Hi Patricia, Sounds great -getting down to a good writing rythym. I'm still in fits and starts but moving forward. I went to the market alone, my usual companion (step-daughter) had a sleep-over so was busy making pancakes when I left. I debated going because this time of year it is just a habit -not so much there - but it is an anchor in my week - I see folks I wouldn't otherwise so I went. I came home with nothing but apples and meat! I lolled about reading the weekend paper, did my blog and CLEANED the fridge! Took all the glass shelves out and tossed lots of science projects. SO very satisfying.
I'm reading Hilary Mantel again - I finished Wolf Hall and a couple more novels and then I found an earlier one by her about the French Revolution. It is just great. So I read a bit in that and then I meditated for a half hour. Now I'm working on dinner and tonight the man and I are going to watch some of the first season of West Wing - we were on a real kick in the late summer and fall but couldn't get the first one out of the library until now so Yahoo!
Tomorrow we're taking the kids to Avatar in 3D. Must see what the fuss is about and any chance to connect to the strange dudes is good.
Hope you have a good run at your novel! I love the trees in your masthead - I remember those trees in the Bluffs outside of Colorado Springs where I'd go riding.

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm hoping to get another couple of chapters written this weekend, but it's been too busy so far! When did weekends become as rushed & crazy as the weekdays?? :)

Patricia Stoltey said...

Jan, you have so much to do it makes me dizzy. And here I am in this nice quiet house with no excuses (hubby playing bridge today) and still found distractions. But 1,600 words so far! :)

Jemi, I've made a big effort to cut down on my other activities until I finish this book. However, hubby says I really shouldn't stop going to the grocery store. Darn!

Marvin D Wilson said...

"What are you doing this weekend?"

Erm, visiting blogs - like this one. LOL, I'm doing some writing and editing too.

The Old Silly

Patricia Stoltey said...

Marvin -- Glad you stopped by. I hope you have a productive weekend.

Karen -- The show must go on, right! But I can imagine the relaxing evening felt good after the performance. Hope you feel all better soon.

Bob Sanchez said...

I'm lazing around in an RV at a Mazatlan beach right now, thinking a bit about all the writing that isn't getting done, but more about my imminent shrimp dinner.

Bob
http://bobsanchez1.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I'm late to the conversation, as I usually don't go online or write on the weekends. I save that for family. A luxury afforded to me due to my independent contract work.

We shopped (which I hate) for vacation and watched the football game (Go Vikings!).

I hope you got some writing in.