Earlier this month, my back went out. It was only a couple days before I was supposed to get on a plane and fly to BC for the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts. I’ve had back pain before, but not like this. This was a special kind of misery… I was left weeping on the floor unable to do much of anything. Sadly, I had to cancel my trip, and since then, I’ve been left with the task of babying myself and my back – things that don’t come easy for me.

Pillows of all kinds have become welcome friends, helping to prop me up so I can spend a little time at the keyboard. At my editor’s mother’s suggestion, I now have a nifty pillow to put in my writing chair. The new foamy-wedge, combined with a small, firm throw pillow a dear friend made for my birthday, sets me straight for a good 30 minutes at a time in my studio. (Everything in place, I croon like Josh Grobin – “You raise me up, so I can write my novel! You raise me up, so I can be pain free! I am strong when I am on my pillow. You raise me up…”)

I’m on the road to feeling normal again, but I was terribly disappointed not to make my way out west. And just when I thought I couldn’t get any slower at answering emails, I’ve had to leave a lot of correspondence for later.

In the Meantime
It looks like I won’t be traveling any time soon but in the meantime, there are a couple of new interviews posted online plus two amazing blogs that might interest you.

Babbling Books is an online book group based in the UK. They recently invited me for an online chat where members asked questions about The Birth House, the inspiration behind the book, and my writing practice. Thanks so much to Glynis and everyone who participated!
Just scroll down the forum page to click on the posts – It’s under General Book Chat, Author Chat. Babbling Books Forum

Write Passages is “the journey of a writer on the path to publication.” Colleen does an excellent job of summing up her experiences and has recently begun posting a collection of interviews with female Nova Scotian writers. Each interview tackles the ins and outs of the publishing industry and I encourage anyone who is thinking of writing for publication to read through them. I’m thrilled to be part of a list of names that includes, Linda Little, Donna Morrissey, and Maureen Hull. (Click on their names to see their interviews)
And here’s mine: Ami McKay at Write Passages.

And Speaking of the Writing Life
One of my best friends from university days has started not one, but TWO blogs devoted to the writing life.
My Lake Belle is her personal blog, filled with the insight, courage and humour required to be a writer.
Lake Belle is a wild, innovative approach to character development. She’s given the characters from her novels free reign on a blog – in real time! They work together at the Sunlight Grocery and have been ranting and reflecting in cyberspace for a little while now. Once you start reading, you’ll be hooked.
(I dare you to get in the mix and comment to the characters…)

Well, my pillow time has run out for this morning.
I’ll be back with more pillow-talk soon…
A.

P.S. THANK-YOU to everyone who commented and sent thoughts about my quest for solitude!
The new sign has been quite effective and your support is much appreciated.