June Bougainvillea in my back yard
Thus far, our Arizona June has not been too bad. We’ve only hit 110º a couple of times, but mostly stay between 105º and 108º. That’s not too bad. Right? I’ve been working hard on a new book. In fact, for the last month or so I’ve had trouble thinking of anything else, which is why my June entry on this site is later than usual. I don’t like to take time away from the book. Fortunately, we haven’t had any medical crises lately (knock on wood), just the usual plethora of doctor appointments.
My work in progress is the first in a new series. Yes, friends, after thirteen years of writing about the adventures of Alafair Tucker and her mighty brood, I’m writing about someone else. But never fear, Alafair will be back in the future. I don’t want to tell too much about the new series, because as I work through the manuscript, things change. But if I can put a story on the page that is as interesting as the one in my head, and my editor likes it, the new book should be on the publisher’s list for this coming spring. Wish me luck!
My Writer in Residence program with Tempe Public Library is chugging right along. I’ve already presented two classes, and the two June classes on Dialog and Setting are coming right up. The information about the WIR program is below, but here is the link to the Tempe Public Library site where you can sign up for consultations and see all the information about the classes:
http://bit.ly/tplwir
This program is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records (Arizona Libraries), a division of the Arizona Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
As the Writer in Residence at the Tempe Public Library, I am giving six free writing workshops over the summer (through July). Two days each week, I am be offering thirty minute consultations to writers, aspiring or otherwise, about manuscript pages, query, synopsis, or anything else you’d like to discuss about the art and business of writing. I’ve posted the schedule of workshops on my Events page (click the link above), and instructions on how to sign up for the consultations will be forthcoming as time grows near. The point of the WIR program, which many libraries offer through an NEA grant, is not only to provide local instruction but to give a working author time, space, and resources to finish her work in progress. If you would like to participate in a Writer in Residence program, check with your local library to see if they offer one, or if they are interested in applying for a grant to get a program started. In order to become a Writer in Residence, an author has to have a publishing track record, and having taught workshops or classes is a plus.
More Places to Go
Donis on Facebook
Type M for Murder