More from the February newsletter:
Editing
It has taken me a year to research and write this book. As you know, I only produce one thing all year. No short stories, no essays. No ceramics and hardly any meals. Just this. But oh, the joy of being in the company of Gamache and all the others.
Of course, it's not always easy, for them or for me. But so very rewarding. To create, and get to visit, that brave new world. And to have you as company.
For now, I've finished the book and am working on the notes from my editors. Notes I take extremely seriously, out of respect for them, for the characters, for you, and for myself.
Though, God knows, I feel like a worm on a hook - reading the 'suggestions' and writhing. Muttering, 'But it's perfect as it is!! How dare they!!'
Even the smallest suggestion feels, at first, like a drip of acid. (I believe I just mixed metaphors…what would my editor say? Oh, wait, I know exactly. And how would I react to her perfectly justified and helpful 'suggestion'? Oh, wait. I know exactly.)
Then I get off my self-imposed hook (and develop a thicker skin), and get to work. I don't accept every suggestion, but quite a few I do.
And I take all of them seriously. If not always with good humour.
February in Canada
Am back in Quebec now, and loving it. Re-connecting with friends, with the village. With Pilates. With butter tarts.
Having finished the writing, if not the writhing, and into the editing, and without promotion commitments in the agenda for this month, I can now go to sleep without setting an alarm. What bliss! What a rare gift that is, in all our lives.
A Better Man - Agatha nomination
Had fun news a few days ago. A BETTER MAN, the latest Gamache book, has been nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel.
And, to make it sweeter, a lot of my friends are also nominated, in that category and others. It makes a great To Be Read list.
Click here to see the full list of nominees:
http://malicedomestic.org/agathas.htmlCongratulations to all. Whoever wins, I am happy.
Audie Award nomination
In other great news, KINGDOM OF THE BLIND has been nominated for the Audie Award for Best Male Narrator!! A wonderful recognition for Robert Bathurst. Congratulations, Robert!!
February is nicely quiet. Almost nothing in my agenda, except gum surgery. Yes, I consider that a highlight worth mentioning.
Most sensible people try to get away, even for a short while, from Quebec in February. I stay here. I love winter. In December, January, February. Even March. But after that?
Enough.
It's fun for me to use a quote from The Tempest as the title for this book. Not only is it apt, given the plot and themes, but it brings back memories of my high school days at Lawrence Park Collegiate (Go Panthers!).
In my final year, Grade 13 at the time, I produced the school play. It was, The Tempest. What fun we had! And so these lines resonate with me.
And one in particular, given the over-arching theme of the Gamache books:
What's past is prologue.
I believe that. And, not coincidentally, so does Armand. And it is extremely evident, perhaps more than most of the books, in ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE.
Sending warm thoughts your way. None of this would be any fun without your companionship. Thank you. Merci.
Louise
Xxoo
"Now I will believe that there are unicorns…."
The Tempest
