Magnolia, Wilhelm List
10,252. Lunch meeting yesterday with Janet was nice, as usual. We talked about our writing, updated each other on our respective progress or lack of, and enjoyed our general chinwag. A terrible four-car accident delayed my getting home–what should have been a 40 minute drive back to Long Beach turned into an hour and a half, and would have been longer had I stayed in the roll an inch and stop, roll another inch and stop traffic on the 91, hoping to make it to the 605 before dark. I gave up and got off at Pioneer Blvd. in Artesia, had no clue where I was and drove all the way into Cerritos before coming across a freeway ramp to Long Beach. But getting lost has value; now I know there’s a westbound 91 ramp at Studebaker and Bellflower–for the next time I want to escape traffic paralysis–and discovered there’s a whole lot of Indian restaurants in Artesia. Meanwhile the afternoon traffic news reported the 91 West to the 605 was still a nightmare by the time I got home so if I hadn’t of taken my chance and exited, I would have been creeping along for another hour.
And, when I got home, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS was perched atop the mailbox, waiting for me, but I was good. I tore open the mailer, grinned happily at the book, and set it gently down for later. No reading until I’d worked on Trail of Shadows. I casted my characters–that was fun–and did some brainstorming on Inspiration. Before I start to write again, I want to know where I’m going. Don’t want to wrestle with doubt demons, don’t want to stumble around in the dark.
Today, my friend Patricia is taking me to a belated birthday brunch. Right now it’s 8:20 and I’m going to work on ToS until I need to leave and when I’m home again, it’ll be me and more Trail of Shadows. And then, HP! Got as far as Chapter 6 last night before zonking out.
Bright and sunny outside; let’s see what I can get done before Patricia calls.
