death by allergies

This August is by far the worst in all my life. It’s like having a head cold that won’t go away. There is some medication that helps but nothing can make it disappear completely. It’s even clouded my mind – I can’t think straight. I am in need of some miracle.

dog days of summer

Enjoying what is left of summer, I spent the first weekend of August up north at Georgian Bay. A typical summer retreat for us city folks that I actual dread doing because I don't have a place to call my own up north so I am stuck spending the weekend at someone else's boat or cottage. It is not worth renting as prices are astronomical during this time of year, so I endure as much as I can. On the flip side, I got a chance to bring my telescope and enjoy a starry night sky with no moon. It was a vision of beauty and magnificence. My goal was to see Scorpius, a summer constellation soon to leave us. The heart of the Scorpion is the star Antares - a fiery ball of gas with hues of orange and red, hence it is the heart of the Scorpion. In my next book, Hearthstone, the main heroine is Antara, named after Antares. You can only guess what kind of personality and power this woman will have if named after the heart of the Scorpion.

Juggling two lives

It is a challenge when one must maintain two lives, both necessary for each other’s survival. There is my day job – the demanding grind to and from downtown Toronto to work hard all day dealing with people, attending meetings, and to get a paycheck. This paycheck keeps my family alive and well fed, a roof over our heads, cats are comfy, and enjoy the simplicities of life. I have health benefits that go a long way since my husband does not have any. Bottom line – I have to work. And finding a well paying job is difficult, so I hold on to mine. I don’t work in the publishing industry. I did dabble in marketing but it got me nowhere. The book publishing industry in Toronto is small and there are many like myself hoping to get one foot in the door. There are lots of internships, but they include a 3-4 month commitment, full time hours, and a lousy honorarium - great for a student.

The other life – writing. I can’t do it without the security of my day job or I would be spending all my time looking for a job if I did not have one so no time for writing. And I would be miserable at my day job if I did not endlessly pursuit my dream. So I continue to work hard and dream big.