Over the past few days, weather forecasters have been discussing the big freeze and snowfall likely to descend upon us. True to their word, the weather certainly turned colder in our patch since Thursday, with daytime temperatures between 27-31F (-1 to -3C), but not much different from historical norms.
On Thursday, the forecast for the weekend indicated six to ten inches of snow. That, I can do without! I don’t mind a dusting, which makes things look nice for this time of year, but if I can avoid clearing the quarter-mile driveway, I’m all for it. Anyway, the current forecast is four to six inches by late this evening. As I gaze out the window, a light snow is currently falling.
Regardless of the weather, birthdays still come and go. Do you know anyone famous with a birthday this week? Here’s what I found: Naguib Mahfouz, Nobel Prize-winning Egyptian novelist; Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Russian writer (The Gulag Archipelago); Grace Paley, short story writer; Tom McGuane, novelist and screenwriter (The Sporting Club, Bushwacked Piano); Emily Dickison, American poet of more than 1,000 poems, seven published in her lifetime; Melvil Dewey, American librarian who created the Dewey Decimal System; Nelly Sachs, Nobel Prize-winning poet; Mary Norton, English children’s author (Bedknobs and Broomsticks); Rumer Godden, English novelist (Black Narcissus); John Milton, British writer and poet (Paradise Lost); Joel Chandler Harris, writer, creator of the Uncle Remus tales; ean de Brunhoff, illustrator and author, creator of the Babar series of books; James Thurber, American writer, cartoonist and editor (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty); and Richard Llewellyn, author (How Green Was My Valley).
Happy birthday to everyone celebrating his or her special day.
Why I want to Write–What’s Led Me to This Stage in My Life
Research continued to dominate my time during the past week, at least when a knee injury allowed me to sit on any easy chair with my laptop propped on a knee. Hasn’t been easy, but I’ve made some progress, which will be important for my first historical fiction novel, New World Revolution.
My Work in Progress
Needless to say, I didn’t spend a great deal of time writing this week. In fact, less than 500 words. But life goes on and I’m well on the way to recovery, acting sitting at our desktop computer this morning.
Here’s another snippet from A Cartel’s Revenge:
“Hello, Señor Alvarez. Where are Maria and Silvina?” Alonzo stepped from his car, offering his hand to the school’s principal. “I’m running late, but I’m here to take them home.”
“Buenos Días, Señor Moreno. What do you mean? Your friends collected them after school finished.”
“My friends? I sent no one here. Who were they?”
The gates to their compound open, Alonzo raced past the stunned guards as they saluted. He skidded to a stop in front of the hacienda as his mother and Ramon exited her car.
“Mama, something bad’s happened … Maria and Silvina ….” Alonzo struggled to breathe, tears forming in his eyes. “When—when I reached the school, they were gone.”
“Where are they? Where are my precious girls?” Olivia grabbed Alonzo. “We must find them. Now.” She slumped against her son, beating on his chest. “They might be dead or worse—taken for the sex trade. I want my babies. Now!”
More next time.
Books I’m Reading
Real life events didn’t permit as much for pleasure reading this week, so I’ll have to pass on a review of a book. Hope to have one and perhaps two for you next time.
Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share
I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites. Here are a new one today that I think is worthy of checking out:
Ladies Who Lunch Reviews, etc – a crazy collection of everything, perhaps for a snowy day.
Writing Resources
Time didn’t provide an opportunity to delve into more writing resources. I did receive a book I ordered regarding the life of peasants in early Britain who move to America. After I’ve read a bit, I’ll post something about it.
Once again, we’ve reached the end of another ramble. Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing. Until the next time, thank you for reading!
© Copyright 2016 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved.
