The Cozy Chicks | Cozy Up To Some Killer Books

Do You Take the Time?

I am presently burrowed into writing the next book that’s due in my Kelly Flynn mystery series. It’s actually an “extra” book, which will appear during the 2008 holidays next year between the 5th and 6th scheduled books in the series. I’m delighted, of course, at the opportunity. I spent ten years on the bench between publishing contracts, so I’m grateful as all get-out for the opportunity to keep telling my stories.

In order to fulfill that new obligation, I’ve had to re-schedule my entire calendar for the next year. Just like several of my fellow Cozy Chicks, I’m writing, writing, writing–seven days a week. But—I’ve learned to take breaks, too. In fact, the breaks help me to stay on schedule.

I’ve learned that I’m much more productive when I schedule regular times to “relax, restore, and renew.” One of my favorite ways to do that is to escape into Nature. I’ve got to get outside regularly. Walk in the woods, sit on a rock by the fast-flowing mountain stream, stare at the mountains–whatever. As long as I’m outside, it does the trick. I can feel the stress of schedules seep out of my cells. It’s magic.

Last week, I grabbed three different chunks of time to escape—after I’d done my work, of course. Once I drove up into the gorgeous Cache La Poudre canyon north of town and drank in the fall colors. Another day, it was another nearby canyon. And then, a friend and I took a picnic supper into Rocky Mountain National Park and spent one evening watching the elk herds and listening to the bull elk bugle and challenge each other.

Weather was gorgeous for all three escapes. We’re in the midst of Fall now. The leaves will probably be off the trees here in another two weeks. But this Thursday, I fly back to Northern Virginia to visit family for a week, so I can revel in the gorgeous colors back East. A double Fall. Wow.

Everyone needs a way to relax and renew. How about you folks? What’s your favorite Nature escape?

10 Responses to “Do You Take the Time?”

Maggie I found you through one of the book clubs I used to belong to. I like the way you make me feel when I am reading one of your books. I also love the place you have either made up or choosen for your books, it sounds like a place I would love to live. I am also a mystery fantic, and an animal lover. I used to knit 30 years ago and have thought about trying to get back into it. You have taught me something that I didn’t know and that was that the Alpac are sheered like sheep and the wool is softer than regular wool. As you can tell I am hooked on you and now I am wondering when your next book well come out.

So please don’t keep us waiting to long.
Mary

by Mary on October 10th, 2007 at 9:40 am
I’m with Mary above — don’t make us wait too long to read about Kelly’s adventures again!

And an extra book — yeah!!!

You sound like Kelly when she needs to take a break — head outside, or head over to House of Lambspun for a knitting break!

My favorite nature escapes involve moving water — even here in the work location, I gravitate to the wall of water or a fountain to find some peace.

by Jan on October 10th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Congrats on the extra book!

When I need a break I’ll go wherever I can as long as it’s faaar away from my 4 kids LOL. Seriously, when they’re at school and I get to write, that’s a great break.

by Wendy Roberts on October 10th, 2007 at 11:53 am
I’m with you, Maggie. I need to be outside. Just an hour walk helps restore me. But for longer term refueling, I need to drive West into the Shenandoah Valley. This is the ideal time to go apple picking. Maybe a trip is in order…

Congrats on the extra book!

by JB on October 10th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Dear Mary—what a sweet comment! Thank you so much for all those lovely compliments. I’m so glad you’re enjoying Kelly Flynn and her friends and all the trouble they get into. I’m having lots of fun writing about them. The next book in the series is DYER CONSEQUENCES and will be out in June 2008. Meanwhile, why don’t you check out your local knitting or fiber/yarn shops and touch that alpaca wool for yourself. I’m not lying to you, girl. It’s softer than soft.

by Maggie on October 11th, 2007 at 1:35 am
Dear Jan—boy, you sound like you need a weekend escape by the water. Is there a lake nearby? Or, even better, the ocean? Go sit. Stare. Unwind.

by Maggie on October 11th, 2007 at 1:37 am
Thanks, Wendy—Boy, does that bring back memories. I used to put the two under 5’s to bed for their afternoon nap after lunch. Then, took the phone off the hook (yeah, I really did) and that got me two whole precious hours to write on that first HUGE novel (which is still in the bottom of the file cabinet where it belongs). Only two hours before my older two elementary school kids came home. Someitmes, I had to race to the bathroom to finish a paragraph. Memories. . . .

by Maggie on October 11th, 2007 at 1:40 am
JB—Yes, yes, yes—-apples. make some applesauce.

I’m actually going to be in Northern Virginia for a week visiting daughter Christine and family and seeing my new baby granddaughter! Christine needs another set of hands to get some projects done, plus I get to cook! And I’m going int FUll FALL MODE. Pumpkin soups, baked squash, squash soups, stews, homemade applesauce, pumpkin bread.

Uh oh. . .maybe I’d better forget the pumpkin bread. I’m trying to stay on the Sraight and Narrow and eating right. Rats. Oh, well, pumpkin soup is totally yummy and filling, too.

by Maggie on October 11th, 2007 at 1:44 am
My favorite place to reconnect with myself is at the beach. Here on the east coast, it’s easy to find a plce to go but I will ALWAYS choose Nantasket Beach in Hull, MA.

Maggie, I’m so excited for the adventures of Kelly Flynn! You go girl!

My mother-in-law has llamas and their wool is amazing too. The Alpacas win hands down, though. My family and I went to Maine for the Common Ground Country Fair and I got to see all those furry creatures and play in the wool bins. ooooohhhhh…….

I also saw a woman who had an angora rabbit on her lap. While the little bunny foo foo was resting, she was gently pulling out the fur and spinning it on her wheel. Right there. In front of HUNDREDS of people. And the bunny never moved. The alpacas could take a lesson, no?

by debbie on October 11th, 2007 at 8:03 am
Debbie—Ohhhh, I remember “playing” in the big bags of wool fleeces at the Estes Park Wool Market back in 2004. It was the first time I’d gone. And I started touching and feeling and sinking my hands (arms all the way up to elbows) into the bags and feeling the lanolin all over my arms when I withdrew them. Fun.

Yes, isn’t that cool to watch them w/angora rabbits? They pull out the hair and spin it. Fascinating!

by Maggie on October 12th, 2007 at 1:16 am

Do You Take the Time?

10 Responses to “Do You Take the Time?”

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