Jan 2022: Of This and That . . .

Just exactly one year ago, relatively early in the days of Covid, Spokane was hit with a wind storm. Some 55,000 people were without power.  Our electricity was restored within 4 hours, but not for many others. Our daughter, son-in-law and the two grands stayed just overnight with us in our little downsized apartment. We set up makeshift beds and chattered away the night, grateful to be together.

Progress on Writing: I'm in that curious stage when Scattered Stones is nearly finished. Just deep revisions of two chapters and the story's ending tickle my imagination. I'm asking what would make someone walk away from a job when the rest of the family is depending on you? 

In the 1840s, laborers working the new railways faced uncertain pay, not enough food, physically demanding work, and sometimes death. Approximately 7 men died for every mile of track laid. Michael, my protag's brother, tells me that there comes a day when enough is enough. When it's time to leave all he knows to dream about what's possible tomorrow. Because today is without hope. Until he takes that first step to walk toward new possibilities.

I'm guessing his experience resonates with me partly because we are stronger than we know. Despite the continued cases of Covid, we have hope. We are adapting, finding strength in our families and friendships, and even being nurtured by Zoom conferences! Thank you, Linda Bond of the Inland Northwest Writer's Group!

Other progress: Yes, I finally organized my binder with marketing strategies and inspiration, a step toward building new connections with readers. And took the plunge (thank you, Liesbet Collaert, author of Plunge: One Woman's Pursuit of a Life Less Ordinary, a travel memoir) to run a promotion with The Fussy Librarian, who added my book to their newsletter out to about 400,000 readers. The results? 441 downloads of The Seventh Tapestry: An Art Crime Mystery, and reviews jumped up to 28. I appreciate each review that tells me readers are reading my stories and letting me know what they think! 

Note: If you read a book that you appreciate, consider leaving a review on Amazon or GoodReads. Your review -- even short -- can create a ripple effect to let others know about a book you've enjoyed.

About Quilting: Finished three quilts this month, one a quillow for a friend, warmth for the winter months, and two for the grands. One features cats and books for the seven-year-old, and the other the planets for the nine-year-old. I can't wait to see their reactions this Saturday! Another comfort quilt is pinned and ready for quilting. Here's the quillow!

PS A quillow is a curious kind of large lap quilt that can be folded up into a pillow when not in use. And when you open the quilt, you can tuck your feet right in that pillow pocket to stay warm. Here's a picture of the quillow folded into a pillow, with a nice little kitty to hearten my friend on these cold winter days.

What's next? Tune in next Wednesday for a little more of Shannon Alexander's Author Interview and writing journey to celebrate her release of The Business of Short Stories on February 1. We'll be in Tucson, enjoying 70F weather, maybe sitting outside on the patio, just taking in a view of palm trees, far from the slowly melting snow here in Spokane, where most nights dip down to 20-25F. For each day is a gift to cherish, cold or not. 

Stay well, creative, and connected to those you love. See you next Wednesday.