Left Isis
Right Isis
             

March 18th, 2007

Sometimes the planets just don’t quite align in one’s favor. It’s not like things have been really that awful, but the past couple of days have just not been top-notch, mostly due to the fact that I’ve either had a virus or food poisoning or the flu. I spent the entire day yesterday in bed, and I didn’t enjoy it, either. Then, on top of everything, we went to get some money from an ATM this afternoon and no money came out, though the receipt did say the money was deducted from our account. On a Sunday, no less. So, tomorrow we have to go and convince the bank that we didn’t get our money. This doesn’t help my healing process.

Part of my funk may have to do with my writing. I’ve been working on the fourth book in the Alafair series since January, writing and writing and writing, and I haven’t gotten to the point yet. Of course, I go through this every time I start a new piece. (But what if this is the one time it doesn’t work out?)

I got the ARC (galley proofs) for the third book, The Drop Edge of Yonder, last week, and have been going through it. I also sent photos to the cover artist. This book will have a picture of a young woman on it who is not a relative of mine. She’s a lovely young lady I found in the Tempe Historical Society photograph collection. I also received the contract and advance, so Drop Edge is really and truly a go. The official publication date is October 2007, but I understand it will actually be available in September.

I don’t seem to be my usual sparkling self, Dear Reader, so I shall leave it at that and promise to be more interesting next time – which will be after the Women of Mystery banquet with J.A. Jance, how much more fascinating could that be?
And now I’m off to take a nap.

One Response to “Bit of a Rough Patch”

  1. Randy Edmond

    Donis,

    I hope that this e-mail finds you up and about and feeling a whole lot better.

    I’m feeling kinda down myself today, but it’s not due to any bug. I received an e-mail this morning from Jon Talton, saying that he is leaving the AZ Republic in two weeks. Besides being one of my favorite mystery writers (you’re in that group, too), Jon is also my favorite Republic columnist. He has a deep, abiding love and concern for AZ, which is reflected in his columns.

    One more thing. I truly love the dialog in your books. I have vivid memories from my childhood of my rural OK relatives speaking like Alafair and your other characters. My mom, who is 79 and grew up in Indianola, OK, says that your characters and their dialog are very real and believable. I’m sure that the Norman reviewer is a youngster who grew up in the city and has never experienced such language, which is his or her loss.

    Take good care, Randy

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