It's Out There

Here we go... HEART ECHOES is now available!   \O/

HEART ECHOES Cover

At long last...it's here!  Well, almost.  =)  The advance copies arrived yesterday. They are for reviewers to read and review.  (There is a drawing at my Sally John Books Facebook page for those who want to post a review online.)

Day 297

Posted Monday, July 11, 2011. . .

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

THE WRITING. . . =) This is THE DAY. I completed my editing of Heart Echoes emailed the finished product to my editor. She’ll do her “thing” – make sure the changes are entered correctly into the manuscript – and then pass it on to others who create the book we will hold in our hands next year.

Big sighs. =) Much satisfaction, some relief, tons of gratitude for the gift of writing story and for all those who add their expertise to make it the best possible product.,

THE DETAILS. . .My blog is finished. The original intent was to record the details of writing this novel now titled Heart Echoes, from start (well, almost start since I began after the concept had been conceived, which is the true start) to the end of my part.

But. . .blogging has been a fun and productive exercise for me and has elicited comments that suggest some may want to read what comes next in this writer’s life.

I’ll think about it.  =)

Thank you for journeying with me. Blessings on you all.

Day Whatever #2

Tuesday, June 28, 2011. . .
THE WRITING. . .Last night I visited the Christian Writers Group in Aledo, and had a wonderful time meeting more writers, learning about their lives and writing endeavors and exploring the world of fiction.
           Several lifetimes ago I taught at the middle school in this town tucked away in the middle of farmland; a former student actually attended the meeting. =) Too fun.
THE DETAILS. . .Red Letter Day in Moline, Illinois!  My Daughter and President Obama arrive!  =)

Moooo. . .

Day Whatever

Monday, June 27, 2011
THE WRITING. . .My lovely wise editor has emailed the manuscript back to me with suggestions and corrections.  :)  For me this is the final leg of the journey. On one hand I am itching to get at it, on the other I know it's not possible to fit it in just yet. Those DETAILS of life crowd the day and energy.
THE DETAILS. . .Writing from Moline, Illinois. . .it's green, humid, overcast, fragrant, and green.  Very, very green. =) Those birds I've been missing in California sing me awake here, their summer home. A noisy cardinal joins in later in the day.
My eyes feast on and I drink in the scent of The Sycamore Tree in my childhood backyard. It's huge now, absolutely enormous, probably as old as I am. It was already a good size when we moved in 52 years ago. Mom still rakes the giant leaves and picks up the sticks the rainstorm winds knock from it.

Yesterday's highlight...

Aren't these ladies beautiful?  =)  And yes, I was this close to them.  Snort, snort.

In between times

THE WRITING. . .My editor works on Heart Echoes and will email it soon for my input to her input, which will be my FINAL tweaking. It's comforting to know the work is in good hands, that it is not mine alone, that wonderful women have my back.  =)
I write this from Davenport, Iowa, where I am sharing with others in a workshop how I go about writing a novel.  I'm smushing these past 240+ days into three sessions, trying to make sense for them of an insensible process that I've been following, more or less, since 1996.
I adore connecting with other fiction writers.

THE DETAILS. . .Kids in town. . .Belated birthday celebration with us all together, brunch at home and an unbelievable gift from them and My Guy -- a book of photos from throughout the years and essays by each one, even the little girls, tributes that still have me speechless  . . .Packing. . .Traveling. . .

San Diego Old Town, with youngest Grand, Son, Daughter, and My Guy.

Days 264 - 267

Saturday – Tuesday, June 4 – 7, 2011. . .

            THE WRITING. . .Online writer friend posted an interview she did with me and her review of Desert Gift (very nice, very well-done) on her website. Thanks, DP! 

Check things out at:  http://www.deborahmpiccurelli.com/whatsnew.php

            Totally absorbed in the workshop plans. Used up all writing-related energy; blog has gone by the wayside.  =)  Tied everything together on Tuesday. Yay.

            THE DETAILS. . .Yay because it’s summertime and the kiddos are coming soon, all six of them! Not all at the same time, but they’ll intersect at some point. Much to do, like shovel out my office (didn’t I just do this after turning in Heart Echoes??) and revert it to a guest room.

My Guy and I caught a terrifically fun movie, Midnight in Paris. It was so creative, so imaginative, I can’t begin to describe it. Of course I adored the topics of writers and Paris.