Catching Up

Wow, you know you're way too busy when you can even find the time to blog good news! I've been trying to fight my way to my computer for the last week to share this tidbit...Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos has been nominated for an Agatha Award! How cool is that??

I'm very excited, especially since the award is named after Agatha Christie, and I cut my mystery teeth on Agatha Christies during my teen years. Absolutely devoured every Agatha Christie mystery that was in print at the time.

I also got the Architexture Workshop behind me. It seemed like it went well and I hope people got a lot out of it. I enjoyed doing it. One of the perks of doing workshops is that I always end up having an epiphany on one of my own works in progress, and this time proved no exception.

I was having a bit of a problem with my current book, feeling it was a little thin. Then during the workshop it hit me, I hadn't drilled down far enough--I hadn't gone far back enough in history to explain this family's rather particular calling.

So I spent a lovely day, immersed in my WIP, up to my elbows in research materials. Happily, I did finally drill back far enough, although I am chagrined to admit that meant going all the way back to the 13th century, even though my story doesn't take place until 1920. I will very likely not use most of it, but apparently I needed to know it to give the characters enough depth and history to come alive for me.