February 2020

Well, I got through the majority of the winter without too much weather-related angst. It wasn’t nearly as bad as last year, and although it could still snow (lots), still get cold (very), neither will linger, so there are tulips and daffodils and hope on the horizon. The sun angle is strong enough now that ice and snow melt even if the temperature is below freezing, and the birds are cautiously trying out their spring tunes. A huge sigh of relief. Ditto from the cats, who have been very grumpy lately. They spend the majority of their waking hours trying to devise new ways of tormenting each other.

Writing newsletters only every six months or so does have an upside: I always have something to report. This February, I have a lot of exciting things to share, so let’s start with the new book, a psychological thriller that had me tied in knots while I was writing it. It is titled DEEP INTO THE DARK and it is not a Monkeewrench book! You see, my favorite friends needed a vacation, so I dove into a whole new cast of characters and setting — Los Angeles, to be exact. It was incredibly energizing to let my mind roam unrestrained and construct a whole new, wild world.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love the gang as much as ever, but time spent apart can be very productive in any type of relationship. DID will be released in February 2021 – a long wait, I know, but the publishing houses are reluctant to release much of anything during election season, so everything is getting pushed forward. Most people I’ve talked to about this feel just the opposite – they want a diversion from politics. But there isn’t anything I can do about it, so we just have to be patient. I wrote it as a stand-alone novel, but the publisher wanted a sequel (in progress), so I guess you could call DID the first book in a new series.

And please, don’t panic. ICE COLD HEART was not the last Monkeewrench novel, the gang will be back after their extended tour of the world’s greatest beaches. I will never stop writing about them, and doubt I could, even if I wanted to (which I don’t). In fact, they may have a renaissance on the screen!

Let me preface these next bits of information with a disclaimer: I am not an idiot. I know the film biz very well, and as far as I’m concerned, the deal is done when I see it on the screen. That said, I’m allowing myself some guarded optimism. I’m working with an incredible production company out of the UK and long story short, I co-wrote the script, they put together a brilliant pitch package, and it’s getting shopped around. The idea is a series for either TV or a streaming service like Netflix, and each season would span a book. Cool idea, huh? Keep your fingers crossed!

And believe it or not, at the same time this was unfolding, I was approached about turning RETURN OF THE MAGI, our Christmas e-book, into a full-length animated feature! Another cool idea, one I’d never thought of, but when I heard this, it really hit home, it would be a perfect animation! I can’t help but think PJ had a hand in this – as many of you know, Magi was our beloved pet project. Again, fingers crossed!

I sincerely hope that the next time I report to you, I will have news of great progress in the above endeavors. And in truth, I am pretty excited. Nobody should ever squander an opportunity for excitement, even if the long game isn’t a certainty.

So, that’s about all the news from my part of the world. Wishing you all, near and far, a wonderful 2020 filled with love, health, and happiness.

Best and cheers,

Traci