With a bit of fertilizer and sun

Sun, sweat, and a whole lot of fertilizer.

Kim's sorry-looking patch last year

Those of you who have been with me at the Drama Box for over a year might remember me lamenting over my pumpkins last June.  I got them in the ground far too late, into soil that was tired and worn out.  It prompted a post about how writing could be compared to gardening.  It has a picture of my hail-damaged seedlings and a post of me lamenting that despite my efforts and sweat, there just wasn't enough shi–ah, fertilizer to support a fruit last year, and I was going to try again next after amending the soil.

This year is different, and after a whole lot of work bringing in new dirt, tilling in compost, and enriching the ground, I'm delighted to say that I have not only a slew of vines taking over the space, but female fruit setting.  You can see two in this picture, one has been fertilized, the other has not yet opened.  (Female flowers are carried low on the vine and have a miniature fruit under them, males are carried higher on stalks.)

Kim's healthy, growing patch this year

Now, if only the heat doesn't interfere, I should have pumpkins to watch this late summer and fall.  Too high a temp, and the fruit doesn't set, regardless of how rich the compost is.   I still think writing is a lot like tending a garden.  It takes sweat, dedication, some know-how . . . and things you have no control of can make or break you no matter how much compost you put on it.

The contests to win Ivy's boots will be closing tomorrow.  (rules, regs, how to enter)

Not sure what time, so if you've not entered, go check it out.  The contests to win signed copies of Blood Work will be ending, too, so if you've not entered, go check my guest blogs out and either leave a comment to enter, or send them an email with your name and address, depending upon their individual rules.

Graphic Novel Reporter. Why I wanted to write a graphic novel.

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. Blood lust–how do you show an emotion?

Fantasy Book Critic. Rachel and Ivy–how they met.

Comic Beat. Team player? Loved it.

 Tomorrow I'll have one last guest post to kick off the official publication date.  Yay!