Two chapters, and Lochlan Museum will be complete. That’s roughly 25 pages, as nearly as I can estimate. I haven’t re-read this book from the beginning multiple times, as I usually do when I’m writing. I’m not working on several books at once, either. That’s probably why it’s been easier to keep track of the story. It will be particularly interesting to read it over once it’s done, because of that.

So what am I going to work on next? I’m sad to say that my time will be devoted to cleaning the house until such time as the house is clean. I hope someone times me, because I’m bound to break a world record since that will be all that’s standing between me and my next book.

I’d like to give Will and Gemma another book, but they need a mystery to go along with it. How many of those is one writer likely to run into, living in a small town? I just got an idea, so never mind. Dilemma gone. I’ll add that to the file for Apprehensive Avenue. I highly doubt it will be my very next book, but it’s a beginning. I need to give it lots of thought to flesh out that spark. Yes, I mixed my metaphor. It’s not the first time.

Maybe Will’s next book is one of the things I’ll think about when I’m at my all-day dentist appointment Friday. No, that’s not a misprint. I’ll be there all day. When I’m done, I’ll have temporary caps on fourteen of my teeth. I’ll go back later for the permanents, and twice more to finish the rest of them. I’m looking forward to having it done. I was relieved to find that I can bring my headphones and listen to music while I’m there. I plan to spend my time praying (about things other than my teeth–although that may change once I’m there). I also hope to solidify several upcoming mysteries that are waiting to be written. Both of those will be so much easier to focus on if I have my music to listen to. I’ve got as many trains of thought crossing and intersecting as Jack Ryland does, and it’s hard to climb aboard one and stay there for long. Music helps. I was talking about this to Brad the other day, assuming he would know exactly what I was referring to. It turned out that no, he did not. He does not experience this. All I got for my sharing was a look of deep concern.

If I stall out dreadfully in May, blame my mother. No, blame my sister and her husband! They’re sending Mom and Dad off to Ireland, I forget for how long, but it’s a long time for someone who’s used to calling daily to read aloud and bounce plot ideas off of. I’m already feeling a little hysterical. This is worse than getting all one’s teeth capped! Although I may change my mind Friday. But it’s bad! I may do what Will used to do, and read to the dog. Sigh.

It’s too bad they’re not going to England. That’s the setting for the next House of Bannerman book. I’m looking forward to it! Miles and Anika are going to visit the original Estate in England, and meet the Bannerman descendants who live there. But I need someone to quiz who’s been to England, to write it authentically. And so, little sister, expect to hear from me soon! I’ll be calling YOU every day that Mom and Dad are gone.

But for now, it’s time for me to get back to Lochlan, and finish it.

Happy reading!