Blue goo drips down the brainstorming wall like a slime creature suffering from narcolepsy. A crimson splat mixes with a yellow blob. I lob another idea at the wall, this one a bright green. It hits and bounces against the wall like a skipping stone across the water until it shatters against a pink and orange swirl.Β
That could work. I peer closer. I’m pretty sure that will work. Still following the pattern on the wall, I reach back for another idea.
No bucket. Damn. I know I left it …
“Looking for this, love?”
I swing around so fast I lose my balance and catch myself against the wall. My hand slips across the mosaic of ideas. I flail, scrabbling against the slick wall.
My Muse catches my arm and hauls me upright before I hit the floor, his other hand occupied by my idea bucket. “Still clumsy, I see.”
Steady now, I move to wipe my hands, until I see the mess. Like finger paints, only brighter and a bit more slickery. “Geez. It’s about frickin’ time. Glad you found your way back.” Seriously. I’m glad he found his way back. Grumpy was starting to get on my nerves. For the past two weeks.
He hands me a towel he pulls from his back pocket. The texture is odd, like velour but scratchier. It does the trick, though. While I clean my hands off, I notice his five o’clock shadow has an extra 12 hours on it. He’s wearing a Hard Rock Cafe sweatshirt from Surfer’s Paradise, wherever that is, sleeves shoved to his elbows. His wearing-them-well jeans and flip-flops complete the ensemble. Then I notice his blond hair is lighter on top, and his skin has acquired a bronze tint.
“Queensland,” he supplies, even though I know I didn’t ask out loud. “And yes, I did enjoy some sun. It’s summer there, you know.” He scratches at the stubble on his face while he checks out the brainstorming wall. “Progress, I see.”
I finish cleaning off my hands and dangle the towel–now looking like a rainbow vomited on it–toward him. “Some.”
He sets the bucket on the floor and snaps the towel at it like a shower room gotcha. The colors shoot from the towel into the bucket, each hue reclaiming its ball shape as it hits the target.
Damn, he’s good.
“Grumpy said you made NaNo. Congratulations, love.”
“No thanks to that killjoy. You know, he’s worse than you are. I am sooo glad you’re back.” Then I plant hands on my hips. “Don’t do that again.”
His blue eyes sparkle. “You progressed on your WIP and you won NaNo. And you worked some things out.”
I poke his distractingly-solid chest. “No excuse. Isn’t there a rule against wagering time with your writer in a poker game?”
He just grins.
Damn distracting. “Anyway, you heard the news, right?”
He tucks the towel back into his pocket. “Which news? The news where you’ll be starting your term as VP with the Twin Cities Sisters in Crime? Do you have your panel ready for the January meeting? How about the workshop about using Word and track changes?”
I roll my eyes. “No. Well, yes, but no.”
He raises an eyebrow. “The news where you’re getting more visibility at the Writer’s Institute in April? Two presentations, a panel, and two half-hour sessions with other writers. Plus selling your book. You are going to be a busy woman that weekend.”
“Well, yes, but that’s not what I’m thinking about.”
“You should be. You know it’s a great opportunity to get your name out there.”
“I know, I know. It’s on my list. I have to work on my presentations.” Sheesh.
“You got your cover?”
*Grumble* “Not yet. I have seen a draft of the final. Don’t get me started on that.” It’s out of my control. Besides, my agent is looped in on that. She knows what’s going on.
“You’re at the three-month mark.”
“I know. I can’t do anything about it.” Except grumble. “Okay. Here it is. I’ve got an offer for the audiobook version of Murder in Plane Sight.”
A smile brightens his face. He wraps his arms around me and gives me a huge bear hug, forcing my face into his shirt. Mmmm, smells like the sea and coconut.
“Congratulations, love!” He releases me. “Well done.”
“I have to give my agent credit. She’s awesome!”
“So, when the book comes out, you’ll have Book 2 ready to go.” It wasn’t a question.
Figures. “I’ve got promo stuff to work on. And I have to revamp my website. And get a newsletter going.”
“Book 2,” he says again, this time adding a scolding finger. “At least you found the plot issues during NaNo.” He rubs his hands together. “Now, about this wall. Needs something over there.”
Sigh.
It’s the last weekend without kids before Christmas break. My plan: writing. Lots of writing.
How about you?
December 8, 2018 at 6:43 am
Congratulations to all your writing achievements. Whilst reading the beginning I wondered if you should
take up painting. Big canvases with loads of paints splashed and smeared …?
Of course, all depending on if Mr Handsome agrees. π .
What about Julie Holmes, authour and painter π©βπ¨
Miriam
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December 8, 2018 at 8:39 am
Nice! Although I fear I would be disappointing as an artist. Paint by number is about the extent of my ability, but I really like watching Bob Ross and have often thought about giving his technique a whirl. I can handle big flat walls, though. Mostly π
Enjoy your weekend, Miriam!
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December 8, 2018 at 7:30 am
You’ve gotten so much accomplished! I am impressed. And happy to see your Muse back. It sounds like he had a nice trip! π
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December 8, 2018 at 8:40 am
Thanks, Margot! I think he did enjoy his trip; he seems more mellow than he was before he left. Of course, that probably has something to do with not having to put up with me π
Have a wonderful weekend!
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December 8, 2018 at 8:58 am
Great update, Julie. It may seem that you’re not making progress as fast as you would like to, but clearly you are making progress! And it’s all going to pay off in the end. Congrats!
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December 8, 2018 at 9:03 am
Thanks, Diana! I keep reminding myself of that. It ‘s all a game of “hurry up and wait”. Except I’m ready for the “hurry up” part to show up again π
Have a wonderful weekend, Diana!
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December 8, 2018 at 9:58 am
I remember the busi-ness of Christmas break. I’m glad I was young for it!
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December 8, 2018 at 5:25 pm
Oh, man. Busy is right. And oddly, it seems to get more busy the older I get–what is up with that? π
Have a great weekend, Jacqui!
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December 8, 2018 at 11:03 am
You are an inspiration. Maybe when I grow up I can become a great writer like you. HUGS
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December 8, 2018 at 5:25 pm
Wow, thank you, Chuck! You are a wonderful author in your own right. Hugs back!
Enjoy your weekend!
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December 8, 2018 at 12:38 pm
All that stuff with the paint was sheer brilliance. Are you a writer, or what?
An audiobook?! That’s so awesome! Wish I could come to buy your book in person in WI.
A newsletter list? Shudder. So.much.work. to be a successful novelist! Worth it, of course. I just scare easily. π
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December 8, 2018 at 5:27 pm
C’mon. You could make a trip for a couple days to Wisconsin that first weekend in April π Yep, that newsletter stuff is the next tackle, or maybe I should do some graphic ads for my book first. Yeah, maybe that…
Have a wonderful weekend, Betsy!
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December 8, 2018 at 5:30 pm
First weekend of April in WI. That sounds…. chilly! π I’m sure you’ll have a blast…. of cold wind.
I couldn’t help myself.
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December 8, 2018 at 12:41 pm
Way to go, Julie. You, your agent and your Muse are on the ball.
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December 8, 2018 at 5:29 pm
Thank, Neil! Now I’m just hoping I can keep that ball rolling π
Have a wonderful weekend!
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December 9, 2018 at 2:29 am
Wow…lots of good news. Congrats! Yes, I plan to get a lot of work done and then take some family time. Have a great weekend:)
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December 9, 2018 at 5:49 am
Thanks, Denise! Definitely get the family time in. Enjoy your weekend!
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December 9, 2018 at 11:05 am
Congratulations, Julie! And Iβm glad your muse is back. You are killing this writing thing, but you arenβt sugar coating it – itβs a lot of effort.
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December 10, 2018 at 7:50 pm
Yes indeed! Wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t have to work so hard? But then it wouldn’t be quite as much fun, would it? π Have a great week, Molly!
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December 9, 2018 at 4:32 pm
Julie, you have so much going on! Congrats on NaNo and all your other accomplishments. You’re really kicking butt. Wow, I feel like such a slacker,LOL! Uber congrats!
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December 10, 2018 at 7:52 pm
Heh, says the woman who is finishing up the third book of her HH series within what, a year or two after finishing up the PP series? You, my friend, are so not a slacker (you and Staci, who writes 5k a DAY! Sheesh!)
Enjoy your week, Mae!
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December 10, 2018 at 8:32 am
I LOVE that he’s back. Grumpy was so… grumpy.
You’ve got a ton of good news in this one. Congratulations on all counts!
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December 10, 2018 at 7:53 pm
Yes. I’m sooo glad he’s back. And he better not try that again; especially when playing poker with grumpy little dragons. Thanks, Staci!
Have a wonderful week!
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December 11, 2018 at 9:02 am
Congratulations on all your news, Julie!! I feel you’re going to be a whirlwind of writerly activity for months and months to come! How exciting about the audio book – do you have a chance to listen to the readers beforehand? Wow, your April weekend sounds amazing and you can do it – have fun preparing the presentation, you’ll do great! I hope you got lots of writing completed at the weekend … I find the next two are non-stop Christmas sorting and can’t wait! First step, finding that perfect tree! xx
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December 11, 2018 at 5:44 pm
Thanks, Annika! Talk about whirlwind–you are so right! I don’t know much yet about the audio book stuff; my agent is reviewing the contract. I hope I get to listen to them π I’m looking forward to April, partly because I’ll have my book in real life π I’m trying to tackle some website/marketing stuff; this is finals week, so the kids will be home on Friday through the holidays. Some writing time, but mostly holiday stuff, I think.
Hope you find an awesome tree! Enjoy your holiday preparations π
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December 12, 2018 at 10:36 am
Julie, you’ll have an amazing time launching your book!! Your feet won’t touch the ground for the rest of the year and I can’t wait to follow you on your adventure as a published writer. Take time now and then to feel the pure elation of holding YOUR book in your own hands … and then signing it as you sell it! hugs xx
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December 12, 2018 at 12:36 pm
π π π π
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