I have to admit, I've been in the writing doldrums in November and December. Part of it is the busy season, both holiday and academic, but I've lost my momentum, too. I realized too late that I was pretty naive about the professional writing world, and that's left me with a lot of questions and doubts. As always, I have many encouraging friends who are also writers and understand the changing industry.

While I love the characters I created in Vancouver and do not intend to leave them alone, I may go to the fresh pages of the Appalachian paranormal mystery, set in the late 1980s, which is when I sort of came of age in that same place. Dr. Enid Seward hounds me constantly for attention, but maybe she needs to take stock of how she's going to fight that next monster (hint: a psychopomp).

If anyone has words of encouragement, I could definitely use them now.

Hope you've enjoyed a happy holiday and have a great New Year ahead!