Corinne Bowen

How cool is this kettle? I drink about ten cups of tea a day, so this is one of my most treasured Christmas gifts. The past couple days have constisted of reading, writing, editing, and researching literary agents. Since I’ve come down with the first cold I’ve had in years, all of these activities work well while tucked in bed or lounging on the couch.

I’m also thankful to finally have a bookshelf in our living room! We’re packing it with our favorite books and have been on somewhat of a book-buying spree. On Friday we visited Ukazoo Books and took advantage of their “Buy 3 Used Books, Get One Free!” I also picked up a new copy of Cherie Priest’s Boneshaker. Steve found a copy of Margaret Atwood’s book, Negotiating with the Dead: A Writer on Writing. This is yet another example of how well he knows me. Margaret Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale was a huge influence on my novel, so her writing advice is like a goldmine.

On Saturday, we stopped at Atomic Books, since I couldn’t go another day without Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, book 2 of The Hunger Games trilogy. I’ve learned a lot from Collins. Especially: Set the stakes HIGH. The stakes could not be higher for Katniss Everdeen and that’s why I can’t stop reading it. Plus, it seems like there’s no way out of her predicament, so I’m desperate to find out how she manages to survive her conundrum. I’m sure not everyone likes to read stories like this, but I can’t get enough. At least at the moment, if it’s not life or death, I probably won’t get through the book.

What are you reading?

Steve and I trekked through the snowy streets of Hampden on Saturday. It was quite the mini-adventure. Neighbors are much more friendly while shoveling the side walks. I loved knowing that everyone on the street was a local, although I felt bad for the shop owners who probably rely heavily on sales the weekend before Christmas.

We visited some lonely merchants to finish up our Christmas shopping, chowed down on veggie burgers at Common Ground, and made it to The Rotunda in time to catch a matinee! Avatar was amazing by the way and must be seen in theaters. I kind of want to go again…After a quick stop at Superfresh for more grub, we walked home and I took the picture above on the way.

Many hours was spent under the covers with my laptop. Editing, editing, and more editing. The comments from my beta readers keep coming in and they are so helpful! If you’re out there readers, THANK YOU. I know I’ve already told you a million times, but you rock.

I took a stab at a query letter for the first time too! It was fun to dip my toe in the water and take a stab at the synopsis. After working on it for a night, I saved it, closed it, and now I will let it rest.

On another note, I’m excited to start reading Hunger Games soon. I’ve heard amazing reviews and I want to find a series of books that I cannot put down. It’s been a while since I’ve found that magical connection. Last Christmas I discovered Charlaine Harris, will it be Suzanne Collins this year? I hope.

Happy Holidays!

I highly recommend adding vanilla coconut milk ice cream to your chai tea (that’s a Bar Harbor lobster mouse pad under my tea cup by the way). I’ll pretty much make up any excuse to put ice cream on something, but this really is damn good.

Did I mention how excited I am to have re-joined my writing group? Excited and scared of course. I’m opening myself up to criticism that could have me back at page one doing revisions. The reality is that revising is the bulk of being a writer (right?), so I better get used to it. And what could be better that receiving 20 different opinions on my work once a month? I want this manuscript to be seen by as many eyes as possible before I hit the long, lonesome, querying road. Hopefully it won’t be long or lonesome, but I’m prepared to weather the storm if need be.

I cut another 5k last night, but no worries. I’m getting to know my characters and those five thousand words were part of our courtship. We’ll always have those fond memories of hanging out together, but now it’s time to move on and make new (better) memories. I am definitely starting to sound like a creepy writer who believes that her characters are real people, but to me, they are! And when I truly love a tv show or novel, I never once think the characters are saying lines or part of a plot that is really just make-believe. What’s the fun in that?

I’m happy that we’re officially in the season of hot tea and leaves scattered on the ground. It’s time for the holidays, which has become one of my favorite times of the year. I’m looking forward to getting cozy with my tea and my novel during these chilly months. My hubs and I have started fixing up our house. Not so much painting and renovating, but getting rid of junk and creating a space we truly enjoy.

I’ve also started writing my novel by hand (at times). Maybe I’m bored with the computer keys or need some time away from the behemoth of a manuscript. I just know that it’s working for me right now and I’m going to stick with it until I get stuck again. Sometimes it’s a matter of changing scenery, sometimes it’s the music, and I guess sometimes I need to put an actual writing utensil in my hand to bring new life to a story. And sometimes it’s a cup of hot tea with a scoop of ice cream.