Easing back into writing

20-pound adventure cat Charlie is an indoor cat who ventures out only on a leash. But his indoor and outdoor antics are hilarious. I’ll be working on posting updates on his activities more frequently.

Indoor tabby cat sniffs at harness to request a jaunt outdoors.

Many of you have asked for more Maggie McDonald Cozy Mysteries. My answer is that there is nothing currently in the pipeline, but to stay tuned for more news because that could change any day.

Three years ago, I handed in my most recent Maggie McDonald book, and shortly thereafter learned that my younger sister had been diagnosed with a deadly fast-moving biliary cancer. She lived exactly 150 miles from me, which fit nicely into the California restrictions for driving during a modified Covid lockdown. I visited at least once a month, more often as her disease progressed.

We laughed, we cried, we caught up on organizing tasks, and just talked. My visits gave the rest of the family a break, and they said that no one could make her laugh like I could.

But sometimes owning a powerful imagination can be a b-a-a-d-d thing. I needed to keep my imagination on a short leash and spent a surprising amount of energy working to stay in the moment and not take on any worry that extended into the future. I kept my 94-year-old mom (and other family members) up-to-date on her progress and we learned more than we ever wanted to know about cancer.

And then my mom died. And my brother cut off all communication. And then my sister died. And the combined grief of those and other losses overwhelmed me. It turns out that day-to-day grief healing requires huge amounts of energy, including creative energy. Who knew?

With lots of support, I’m climbing out of that dark hole and back into the light. I’m recovering from pneumonia and starting to think about writing again. I’m not sure where my forward journey will take me — there are lots of options—but “starting to think about it” is forward progress worth celebrating.

Thanks to everyone who has sent me support, good thoughts, and lent me strength and peace and comfort. It takes several villages!

And do please keep in touch. I may be posting some short fiction continuing Maggie’s story, new ventures into women’s fiction, amateur wildlife photography from my beloved Monterey Bay wetlands, and updates on my goofy and adventurous cat Charlie.