Disorientation: writing a story is like moving into a new home

A couple of weeks ago I moved, leaving behind the first home I'd ever bought and settling into something different. Downsizing and simplifying had been a goal for several years, and telecommuting the last few months finally gave me the time, energy, and motivation to make it happen. After living in my prior place for so long, it's still a little disorienting to be someplace so different. And that reminds me of what it feels like to write a story.

Destination: Voodoo Remoulade

Voodoo Remoulade is the tenth story in my Crossed Lines series—a fusion of Caffrey Conversation and Supernatural. As you may have guessed from the title, New Orleans is the setting. Neal goes down to the Crescent City to celebrate Mardi Gras with some friends. Since the Winchesters are involved, you can also assume that one or more supernatural creatures will be on hand as well.

Caffrey Conversation: Backdrop to Progress of Love

A series of paintings called The Progress of Love by the Rococo artist Jean-Honoré Fragonard was the inspiration for my latest Caffrey Conversation story. Finding a slot for it in Neal's timeline was straightforward since the theme of the paintings called out for a Valentine's Day story. Devising the plot was more complicated. My initial thought was to feature an attempted heist, but the size of the panels made me reconsider. Even for someone as gifted as Neal Caffrey, stealing a 10-foot tall painting would be quite a feat!

Novel progress: police of the future

One of the main characters of Prime Conditions is a police officer in a world where part of the policing role has been taken away. While Zinnia misses that aspect, her heart remains with police work. But what is police work centuries from now?

Six-Crossed Knot: Backdrop to Masque

Masque is the tenth story in Six-Crossed Knot, a series based on the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. The story takes place in the spring of 1604, roughly six months after Jack became a vampire. Philippe has a larger role than his first appearance in the prequel, Walking Shadows. Matthew and Ysabeau are also in the story. Locations for this story include the Globe Theatre and two palaces -- Hampton Court and Whitehall.

Vault Acquisition: Standing Stones

Standing Stones is the ninth Arkham Files acquisition to the library vault at Miskatonic University. It is the sequel to Scorpion Hill and takes place in February 1976.

Writing retreat: 2020

A week ago Silbrith and I wrapped up our annual writing retreat, and I've been reading my post on last year's retreat to refresh my memory of what I said about the 2019 retreat. So much has changed...