Edith here, and it’s March! Not sure quite how that happened so fast this year, but let’s
march through our Wednesdays together this month. Today I want to know how each Wicked plans to march forward into spring. Many of us have been pretty much holed up during the winter, ignoring the weather and doing some concentrated writing. But spring will launch later this month. How do your work habits change in the spring? Do you get itching to plow both the ground and the fertile soil of your imagination? Do you start working out on your porch or taking more sunny plotting walks? What one step will you take differently this month?
Liz: I’m so excited it’s almost spring! The biggest difference this month for me? I’ll have turned my book in so won’t be working on a crazy deadline while trying to do a million other things! Seriously, this entire winter has been crazy and I’m not sorry to see it go (well, I’m never sorry to see winter go). But I think once I catch up on a few things, I’m going to get myself onto a more serious writing schedule. Probably early in the morning, maybe outside if I can manage it. I’ve let a lot of my routines go during a difficult few months, and need to get them back.
Edith: We’re all pulling for you, Liz! For me, I’m just looking forward to taking any steps. I’ve had a tough first month post-knee surgery, and when I tried to do a slightly tiny bit longer slow walk on the weekend it really messed me up. But I find all the light in the sky, the sounds of birds again, and the crocuses and daffodils poking their green shoots up out of the cold ground inspiring and stimulating. I know I won’t be able to garden again until the weather really warms up, so I’m going to use that inspiration to finish a first draft this month, and hopefully be able to march lots better before April, too. I’m also, of course, marching toward my double release – When the Grits Hit the Fan on March 28, followed closely by Called to Justice on April 8!
Sherry: It’s been spring most of the winter here in Northern Virginia. My hydrangeas are leafing out, windows have been open, and I’ve spent a lot of time outside. I’m starting out March with my mom and family in Florida celebrating her 90th birthday today. After that I’ll be gearing up for the release of A Good Day To Buy (shameless self promotion warning — it’s available for pre-orders right now) on April 25th. It’s always an exciting and nerve-racking time!
Barb: Happy birthday to your mom, Sherry. She is one of the Wickeds’ most stalwart fans. Like Liz, I should be turning in my book soon, the sixth Maine Clambake Mystery, Stowed Away. Then, for some insane reason, this spring I’m doing eight appearances in five weeks. Four are conferences that require pre-registration: the Maine Crime Wave, Malice Domestic, Muse and the Marketplace, (where I’m teaching a class, Four Lies People Will Tell You about Marketing Your Novel ) and the Massachusetts Library Association Conference. Four are at bookstores. Various combinations of the Wickeds will be at all of the bookstore events, and we’ll all be together in Nashua, NH on April 19 and in Bethesda, MD the Thursday night before Malice. For those of you who are coming in early for the conference, we’d love to see you there! You can always find my events on my website here. It’s going to be a crazy spring, but I’m very much looking forward to it.
Jessie: Unlike the rest of you I have no plans. Living in northern New England teaches you that spring will break your heart. Just when the daffodils poke their heads up through cold cracks in the earth a foot of snow covers them and makes you wonder if you’ll see them again. So I don’t plan for spring; I prefer to sneak up on it when it isn’t looking. I ease out through the door on a sunny day and perch gingerly on the porch swing to eat my lunch in the warmth of a sunbeam and hope not to jinx things. I peek at the lengthening days with the barest of glances so as not to scare them off. I whisper to my family the first time I notice there is no frost on the grass in the morning. I’ll make plans come summer.
Julie: This winter has let us taste spring a couple of times, and I am forever grateful for that. Last week it got close to 70. Delightful. Of course, here in New England once it hits 40 we take off our hats and scarves and unzip our coats. I have a lot to work on book wise, but can’t wait for windows to be open.
Readers: What changes for you with the onset of spring? How do you march differently?
The onset of Spring means more time spent outdoors reading. I love to read outdoors. I’ve already enjoyed being outside as we’ve seen 82° days already here in N.C. I killed a mosquito in my kitchen yesterday, in February!! Crazy. I enjoy picnics in beautiful surroundings too, so looking forward to those as well.
Ah, reading outside and picnics! Enjoy.
I clicked the link to B & N in Nashua and nothing was listed for April 19th. I s it a daytime or evening affair? Thanks.
It will be in the evening, Gram! The event starts at 6pm. It would be lovely to see you there!
Oh drat…we don’t drive at night unless it’s a dire emergency, but thanks.
Spring? What’s that? I’ve been so caught up in finishing the book that’s due today, and starting the book that’s due in six weeks, that I have no idea what’s happening outside the house–and the farthest outside I’ve been in days was to feed the neighbor’s cat on our doorstep. But in our neighborhood, I think New England is holding back a bit on spring–the last patches of snow melted only a day or two ago, and I haven’t seen anything that looks like a sprout. But I do love the longer days!
I love them, too, Sheila!
Jessie, I’m with you. I’m waiting for one last, massive snowstorm. It always happens in Pittsburgh – right when we think winter is behind us.
One year we had an April Fool’s snowstorm in Massachusetts–yup, on April 1. It ain’t over ’til it’s over.
Oh, yeah. So odd to see snow on fruit tree flowers!
Spring equals spring break with my daughter and helping her prep for SOLs (the VA end of year testing) and, now, AP exams.
And Malice! To me, spring is Malice and vice versa. 😀
It’s always so nice for us Northerners to come south and see how much further along spring is down there!
A new spring jacket is on my agenda for this week. Somehow over the years and as old jackets have worn out all I have in my closet is navy blue, maroon and dark green-grey jackets. So its a shopping day with my daughter, maybe a lunch out!!
Sounds like a springy day, Lorraine!
We actually had winter this year, so I’m looking forward to spring. My beach ultimate Frisbee league starts in a week and a half, and I can’t wait to get out to the beach. Other than that, I’ll be able to go for runs after work in daylight again, which will be wonderful.
Playing on the beach sounds perfect to this California girl, Mark!
Though I love spring, I am sad we’ve had little winter weather. I’m also afraid this means much warmer temperatures in the summer. Ah, Rachel Carson, why does no one listen?!
I know what you mean, Kim! I don’t mind warmth, per se, but when it signals climate change, that’s scary.
Aw, gee, guys. I dunno. Buy a new bathing suit maybe? Just another day in paradise for me.
Very funny, Carol!
Hey: I’m struggling just to keep up! Marching forth will have to wait until I can reach the starting line!
I like to start walking outside more often and freshen up my house a little with some flowers and spring touches!