So Much More

I am writing this from Cloud 9.  Ava came to work today with a thumb drive and a DVD disc from Saint Edward.  All day I longed to go home and see what was on it.  I would open my desk drawer and peer down into the darkness of my purse where I could see the edge of the white envelope that held what promised to be eight missing chapters of Dalton & Olivia’s book.  I would sigh and close the drawer, knowing I had hours and hours before I could see what was on the disc in truth.

Even when I got home, there was kindergarten and 2nd grade homework to do and dinner to make (it was the tried and true spaghetti – I’m so predictable when it comes to my turn to cook).  Then there were baths and stories to be read and snuggling to do.

Finally, I got to the office, plugged in the drive, and opened it up to find not only the 8 missing chapters, but so, so much more.  I had forgotten, or refused to ponder, just how much I had lost.

I tend to do a bunch of research before the writing begins.  It makes me feel

A period kitchen

 inside the story.  By research, I mean, photos of period clothes, people, household items, houses, carriages – you name it.  Additionally, with this story, I had taken the advice of one of the guest speakers at our local RWA meeting and did an entire psychologial profile on each of the main characters: Henry Cavendish, Marquess of Dalton, the Honorable Olivia Goldsleigh, and the wretched Reginald Foreman (our villian). 

For goodness sake, I’d even designed a family crest for Dalton.

I was obviously upset at the missing chapters and for good reason, but when I saw how much more I’d not even considered when I was tallying up the casualties…UGH!

So again, thank you Edward.  You are really the best.

xoxoxo

-A