Can you believe we are already at the end of the year? It’s been quite the year, hasn’t it? But before we bid farewell to 2020, let me tell you what I have been up to in my writing life this past month and what is on the horizon to happen (hopefully) before the year ends or just as the calendar turns.
Story Updates
Here are a few updates on stories I have been working on and what I am planning to work on next:
Christmas in Gracechurch Street: This story was supposed to be on preorder today. It’s not – which fits for this story. It has not been where I wanted it to be the whole time I was writing it. I am a person who likes schedules and routine. This year has been one of working on flexibility, whether I wanted to work on it or not. 😀 However, all the edits should be done by the end of next week, and I have penciled in December 15 as the release day for this book.
Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons source listed as: Jean-Baptiste Deschamps d’Avallon, Compendium de pharmacie pratique. Guide du pharmacien établi et de l’élève en cours d’études, Germer Baillière, Paris, 1868, 1134 p., p. 737.
We ended the last chapter with the gentlemen drinking coffee, and we are going to start this week’s chapter when they have just finished their coffee. My youngest loves his coffee, and we have several gadgets and pots for filtering it. We even have one that is not so very different from the drawing above, although it sits on the rim of the cup. Therefore, I simply could not resist sharing this image with you today. Below is how chapter 5 begins.
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A half an hour later, Bingley and Darcy had finished their cups of coffee and discussion with Mr. Bennet. The man was quite knowledgeable on several topics. Bingley had done more listening to his friend and Mr. Bennet discuss books and the struggles that come with estate stewardship than he had talking. That had been an excellent thing since he was occupied trying to figure out a way to get rid of Wickham or to keep Darcy in the area if ridding it of Wickham was not a possibility.
“I wish you well in your quest, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Bennet said when Bingley stood and Darcy followed suit. “Elizabeth’s opinion is not always easily swayed.” He leaned to the side as he looked up from his place behind his desk at Bingley and Darcy. “You may have to prove to her that you are the opposite of what Mr. Wickham said.”
Darcy nodded slowly. “I know.”
“Especially, since her opinion of your sister is based on her opinion of you.”
“I am aware of that, as well.”
“You know…” Mr. Bennet suddenly found several papers on his desk that needed attention. “There is something you could do which might guarantee, at least, a small reversal of her displeasure.”
from Mr. Bingley Plans a Ball
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I have been listening to lots of instrumental Christmas music lately as I have been writing a couple of Christmas stories. I completed one of those stories this week. Christmas in Gracechurch Street should be published in the first half of December. But that is not the story I am highlighting today.
Today’s story excerpt is from A Very Mary Christmas, which is currently on sale until tomorrow, November 24, 2020. I have chosen to pair this story with this relaxing Christmas album, which has been on my listening while writing rotation, because I’m thinking Nicholas might have benefited from being able to play some soothing music after he ends up with unexpected and very troublesome holiday visitors. (And it is because of those somewhat unwelcome guests that I picked “Welcome Home for the Holiday.” 🙂 )
