I will have to write a novel set in Madrid, so next time I go there, I can claim it as a tax deduction.

Queen Carol and King Arnold incognito at the Puerta del Sol

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

I’ve also heard people make this idiotic claim (writers shouldn’t read). For me, one of the perks of becoming a writer, was an excuse to spend countless hours reading. Research! So what if I’m sitting on a plane, reading a middle grade novel? Research! A Victorian romance? Research! Do I need to clean the house? So sorry. Too busy doing research!

So one of my two partners in my last critique group (which I loved) had the nerve to have a baby. So much for that group, which especially distressed me because a group (which I also loved) from a couple of years prior fell apart because both my partners had the nerve to prioritize their families and work over our meetings. I was bereft.**

Low and behold, a partner in one group suggested exchanging pages and a partner from the older group said “Hey kids. Let’s put on a show!” Or as we writers say it, “Put together a new critique group.” And everyone’s great and they better not have the nerve to find something more essential they have to do.***

*So are cute little puppies, kittens, and adorable granddaughters but they’re not a whole lot of help revising a novel.

**That may be a slight overstatement. I just like the word.

***Just kidding, but you knew that.

The new name will be “No Writing or Querying Day.” To make sure I don’t succumb to temptation, we’re going to drive to Frederick, walk through the amazing Carroll Creek Park, and have tea* and a bran muffins.

*When I have tea instead of a latté, you know I’m serious about taking a writing break.

Definitive proof that I’ve done a good job as a mother. My son is Mr. January in the Nice Jewish Guys calendar. My work is done here.

I’ve spent the last 90 minutes finding ways of cutting down the gazillion times I use the word, “if” in my manuscript.* To reward myself, I’m going to spend the next 5 minutes looking at this.

*Don’t get me started on the “ands, ors, buts,”

I can’t believe I managed to do three wine tastings and still sit on the porch at the b&b in Canada and write for two hours today.