Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Winter and writing in Montana

It has snowed almost a foot in the last couple of days and has been cold now for weeks. It's beautiful, no doubt about it. And it should help with the book I'm working on since One Hot Forty-Five is set in December 2009.

But enough is enough. My husband keeps saying, It's a normal winter, get used to it.

That's just it. We haven't had much winter in our part of Montana since we moved here and I was okay with it. I liked global warming. It would snow but then the sun would come out and it would melt. My kind of winter.

As I sit here wearing my winter snowpacks from my hike to the office, I'm dreaming of warm weather so it's hard to write about my heroes and heroines slogging through the snow. I know it sounds crazy, but I hate seeing them out in the cold because I know how they feel.

This morning the Billings Gazette didn't arrive in our small town either because 1) the road south blew in with snowdrifts or 2)the driver went off the road in the 200 miles from there to here. Residents are advised to stay home if at all possible and if you have to venture out, you're to tell someone where you're going and when you expect to get there just in case you don't make it.

I love living this far from civilization most of the time. I love setting my Whitehorse series here because it is so isolated and life here is interesting because of it. But this latest blizzard is too much like the plot of One Hot Forty-Five. The road out of here is glazed with ice. Seriously, you can see your face in it. And the gravel roads are blown in with drifts.

But as my feet start warming up, I know I have to get back to the Corbett brothers, Lantry in particular, and get him and the heroine out of that snowdrift they've ended up in during the blizzard and on with the story. After all it's a Christmas book and I can't let them miss Christmas at the Trails West Ranch where there's something good cooking and there's a warm fire waiting for them.

The Corbett brothers arrive in Whitehorse, Montana in April with Shotgun Bride, May is Hunting Down the Horseman, June Big Sky Dynasty, September Smokin' Six-Shooter and of course December with One Hot Forty-Five. See you at the ranch.

In the meantime, stay warm and close to the fire.

10 comments:

  1. Brrrrr! I usually have loved winter and being snowed in was just a part of it. But as I've gotten older and our wood furnace died, I've discovered I don't enjoy it quite so much. Everything is electric and that usually goes off with snow, ice, and high winds (the wind blows constantly, it seems). Of course curling up in a heavy sleeping bag with a good book and a gas lantern isn't so bad as long as we have foods that don't need cooking and water saved for bathroom use.
    Will be looking forward to reading about the Corbett Brothers.
    Stay warm and Happy New Yeaar!

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  2. I am so glad I live in the Pacific Northwest. The part that is only getting rain.

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  3. It must be so beautiful. It's been a crazy winter. It was 65 on Sunday and we're expecting snow tomorrow. Happy New Year.

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  4. I know what you mean about crazy weather. It's in the 60s one day and the next it's back down in the 30s.
    I've read two of your Whitehorse books --- Matchmaking With A Mission and Second Chance Cowboy --- and enjoyed them both immensely! I'm looking forward to your upcoming releases!
    Have a safe and happy New Year!

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  5. Crazy weather here too. I bought your whole Whitehorse series and then got waylaid with other books. i found them again just before Christmas and I have to read them next year. You are a must read author for me. I look forward to the Corbett Brothers too. Happy New Year.

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  6. I have all of your Whitehorse Montana books a love, love, love them and will be looking forward to more of them. Weather here is crazy here also but in the opposite direction 70°s or 80°s one day and 50°s or 60°s the next with down in the 40°s at night.

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  7. We haven't had any snow here yet, we've actually had temps in the 60s a couple of days ago and I really enjoyed that even if it didn't last long. I am also looking forward to the Corbett Brothers and I enjoyed reading Second Chance Cowboy. Have a Happy New Year!

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  8. I agree --- the weather is crazy! We had 60s yesterday and tomorrow temps will be in the 20s with 6 inches of snow forecast! I love your books! I'll be looking forward to more of your Whitehorse Montana books. Keep them coming and have a Happy New Year!!

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  9. We have had some crazy weather this year ourself. It was in the upper 60's a couple of days ago and we have a cold front coming through and its going down in the 20's.

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  10. It was great to hear from you all! The wind was blowing so hard yesterday, I stayed by the fire at home. :) Crazy weather is right. Today it is beautiful, sunny and blue but the snow isn't even thinking about melting.
    Hope you all have a great 2009!
    BJ

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