Happy holidays to one and all! I hope that those who celebrate have had as wonderful a holiday as I have so far.

I had a very good time with my family for the first Christmas celebration that we had. Only about half the family was able to make it for the actual day, so we’re having a second Christmas on the 30th. I anticipate much more fun to be had by all. The first Christmas included a Spanish tortilla, porketta, gifts, and a dessert party, complete with strawberry pizza, two kinds of pie, three types of cake, too many types of cookies to count and a chocolate fountain. The second Christmas will include a White Elephant gift exchange and much, much laughter, I’m certain.

I’m at a coffee shop right now, writing. I’ve been picking at the writing, really, since I’ve been here. I figure that’s okay, it’s kind of like being on vacation. I’m also facing down the end of this novel, that last stretch. I’m still having some issues with these next chapters, the last third of the novel. I keep debating whether or not I need another subplot thrown into this section, or if there’s enough material that’s already “planted” earlier that I just need now to water and let grow to fruition. . . I’m doing the latter, currently, and it’s been working out well. We’ll see if that will provide enough conflict or not.

So — here’s the typed words so far:

66,174 / 100,000 (66.2%)

This includes what I’ve typed in so far with Chapter 12. I’m happy with what I’ve done through this part so far. Chapter 13 contains one of the *big* scenes that I first envisioned when I first started this novel 3 months ago. (And yeah, that still freaks me out when I look at that word count and realize that *damn* I’ve done a lot in three months. There’s still one third of a novel to write. Still. Two-thirds done? WHOO HOO!)

I will continue to not be around much online until after the first. If ya’ll really need to get in touch with me, either call or email.