I had two exciting pieces of news in 2019 - my poetry book, Saudade, was accepted for publication and will be released in February, and my cosy mystery, Deadly Vintage, set in Portugal was published. The poetry book had a lot of work attached to it, and I have a book signing for the mystery coming up January 19th at Time Tested Books (my favorite independent bookstore in Sacramento). But I expect spring to be a little calmer than recent months.
I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. We did, with our god family in the Bay Area, as we do every year. And three days before that, we celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary. Here are what is left of our flowers (the white mums and the lilies), supplemented with some dianthus (the red and the red-edged ones) that we inserted last week to prolong the bouquet. (This is in our kitchen nook.)
Before our anniversary, we had a 9-day trip to the east coast to visit my niece and her husband in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and my husband's brother and his wife in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Both places were cold for us poor, wimpy, central Californians. Pittsburgh was the coldest. It even snowed one night while we were there. But the visits were wonderful.
Then two days after Christmas, we and another couple celebrated the 50th anniversary of mutual friends in the home of some of their friends who gave them a wonderful party that went all afternoon. A really lovely celebration.
And yesterday one of my writing groups met to critique manuscripts and then to exchange gently used books. That, too, was so enjoyable. But . . . see what I mean? Way busy!
Now I expect to take it easy right up to New Year's Day. Reading is big on the agenda. We don't go out for NY Eve anymore but watch the ball drop from the comfort of our living room. We'll probably watch a good movie.
As for New Year resolutions — I do sort of make them. I have two main ones this year. One is finishing my next book and the other is working on my Spanish. I will keep you posted on how both of those turn out.
How about you? Are you ready for the New Year? How was your Christmas? Do you make resolutions?
Best wishes for all good things to happen for you in 2020.
What wonderful news about both your books. I would LOVE to read your mystery. I've always been a big mystery fan. I hope it sells well.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated 46th wedding anniversary. What a milestone. I am super impressed.
I hope you have a joyous, safe, and healthy New Year and a wonderful 2020.
I don't make resolutions, but I make commitments for which I am accountable. Same thing, different name.
Hello, Elizabeth, and Happy New Year's Eve. Thanks for all the good wishes. I think you would enjoy the mystery, because you enjoy travel posts. I think I posted order information on my last post, but here it is again: https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Vintage-Elizabeth-Varadan/dp/1712268465
ReplyDeleteHope you have a lovely New Year's Day and a great year ahead.
Here's to a great 2020, at least as good as 2019 or better to us both. Seems you have made the most of your time, and may it continue.
ReplyDeleteHi, Mirka, thanks for the vote of confidence for 2020. I hope to make good use of my time, but I don't expect such a bumper year for publication again anytime soon. 2019 was really rare in that respect. Hope your own writing goes well, and hope you have a lovely 2020. (Someone has called it the year of perfect vision. Let's hope this comes true!)
ReplyDeleteGreat news for you this year. Congratulations and happy new year.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like you had a busy holiday season, but packed with good things. Congratulations on your anniversary. We're one ahead of you, we celebrated our 47th last June :-) Amazing to think so many years have gone by...Wishing you all the best in 2020 both in your writing and your travels. As for resolutions, I'm choosing the word strategies instead. I have all kinds of things I want to accomplish, I just need to figure out the strategy to take me there!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rosi, and Happy New Year back to you. As you know, you had a part in the news I'm celebrating by all the helpful critiques of the mystery in our Storytellers group.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Kenda. 47 years — that's wonderful. Best wishes for accomplishing your goals in 2020.I love your decision to make New Year's strategies instead of resolutions. Let me know what strategies you come up with. :-)
ReplyDeleteCurrently reading Deadly Vintage.
ReplyDeleteYou do a wonderful cozy mystery.
Oh, wow, Sandra! Thanks for that! I'm glad you like it. It was great fun to write. I'm working on the next one now . . . Deadly Verse. Your comment gave me a real boost!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on celebrating your 46th anniversary. Wow!
Sounds like you have been busy, but getting to enjoy family and friends too. I find the holidays are always doubly busy- and even more so if I have to do any traveling.
Good luck on your goals this year. :)
~Jess
Thanks for all the good wishes, Jess. I hope you New Year is off to a good start. I'm with you. The holidays are super busy, and were especially so this year, but enjoyably so. Now I'm in a de-cluttering, "downsize" mode. A lot of things have gone to Good Will, and a lot of other things have gone to the dump. We are almost done (for now) and it feels great!
ReplyDeleteHey Elizabeth,
ReplyDeletePer the review, it may take a little while but it definitely is and was on my to-do list.
All the best,
Thanks, Sandra. No rush. Anytime is the right time. :-) Have a great day.
ReplyDelete