A quieter week, and much cooler than the week before. Yes, we back to moaning, "Where's summer?" Looks like a couple of hot days for this week.
Writing news: YES I DID whittle down my synopses to under 300 words for both "The Fatal Span" and "The Isthmus." Can't believe I've done it! This week, I've been working on THE PITCH. For the two stories, I have a pitch each around the 30 word mark (can't quite get them under 25 words), a four sentence "elevator" pitch, a pitch under 200 words, and a longer conversational "conference" pitch.
This week, I revisit the outlines of the second and third books in the Max Murdoch series, and submit some Activities to the AWM Online "Pitching to Publishers" course. And I've spent this weekend working on "The Isthmus" manuscript. It's a fun story to write, and yes, I absolutely have plotted it out in advance. The last 2.5 chapters are already complete.
Last Wednesday, it was Happy 50th Birthday to Karen, and Tuesday, it's Happy Birthday to Kim (otherwise known as Kimeeeeeeeee) plus catch-up with some (crime) writing sleuths before (gasp, wheeze) work next week.
The usual feathered rabble have been clocking on at MtBS. The butterflies are (sadly) less prolific, but enough to still be a joy. What a year for them! The Superb Blue Wrens have been showing off their new broods (usually I never seen them), but the surprise of the week was the Brown Goshawk, who, after missing a rosella snack, perched onto a gum tree branch and posed while I did my best to ID it without binoculars and with my lousy eyesight. Fortunately, I have bird field guides (at home - too bloody heavy to carry on a walk). And I've had the delight of a "Ms Wren" in my front garden. That is hard to take. The Clogs are busy fighting in the bird-bath as I write this (4:34PM Sunday).
That's my week. Happy Writing.
Bo
A few pics from Mt Barker Summit (MtBS), one in fog and drizzle (not forecast, in fact, it was odd the way it came in from the SW), one of the north face, and one of a certain "blue" resident.