I’m on deadline this weekend — racing to finish the first draft of WISH YOU WERE EYRE.  I don’t know how it works for other writers, but for me, books tend to pick up momentum the closer I get to finishing them.  Kind of like a snowball rolling downhill.  All of a sudden the ideas start flowing thick and fast, and I have no choice but to sit tight and hang on for the ride.

Actually, I do have a choice, but I wouldn’t be a professional if I slacked off.  Slacking off is for amateurs, for wannabes.  Real writers need to be willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

And so, I’ve been burning a lot of midnight oil this week — and even some 3 a.m. oil.  It’s all part of the job.  I’m not complaining, mind you.  I happen to think I have the best job in the world.  And when that flow kicks in, I’m more than happy to ride the wave.  Or the snowball.

But look!  There, on the horizon.  Do you see it?  I do.

Catch you on the other side!

I admit it.

I’m a bit of a cocoa freak.

There’s nothing I love better than a good cup of hot chocolate!  Especially on a cold day like this one.  And especially when I’m writing.

My sister sent me the BEST PRESENT this week to cheer me up (I get a little cranky when I’m on deadline):  a kilo-sized bag of Callebaut cocoa.  Mmmm.  Bliss!  Especially when I froth the milk first, the way I did here (that’s foam, not whipped cream, believe it or not), and sprinkle it with a little cinnamon and nutmeg.

What’s your favorite hot drink?

“Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

Thank you, Teddy Roosevelt.  Good advice for writers (that would be me) on deadline (that would be now) who haven’t been out of their pajamas in days.  Onward, and pass the Junior Mints, please!