Microclimate Creativity
Very Early Apricot BlossomsWhen I went out last week, I was startled to discover that Spring was beginning to make itself known, since most of the trees had been grey and brown just a few days before. Mind you, all the flowers I saw were on not-native to this climate trees. The native plants are still very much dormant. They know we’re not done with the cold.
The apricot blossoms in the photo are in a very sheltered area of our backyard that is its own microclimate. Parts of the same tree don’t even have visible buds. However, a few flowers are enough to attract the bees, as you will see if you take a close look!
In addition to enjoying flowers, I’ve been finishing off various projects. My novella for a forthcoming Honorverse anthology—due for release this November—is done and even has a title: “Deadly Delusions.” I’ve sent it off to Tom Pope, who is acting as first line editor and continuity expert.
With that done, I’m taking care of a lot of small tasks, and one not-so-small task. This last is starting to polish the manuscript of a fourth Over Where novel, which I finished writing in mid-February. I find that letting a manuscript lie fallow for a couple of weeks means that I do a much better job with my edits.
I’m also going to feed my Muse by doing some purely for fun projects, like organizing material for the role-playing game I run. I’ve part of the same group for thirteen years now. Most of the time, I’m run the game, but I have had a few breaks, such as this last year while I recovered from rotator cuff surgery. At those times, the very able and talented Rowan Derrick has stepped in, as she did over pretty much all of the last year, when my rotator cuff surgery set me back.
Take care! I’m wandering off to write.
