Home to autumn
I recently returned home to Scotland from a month away visiting family in Australia. I left behind Queensland’s hot and sunny springtime and came back to misty, mellow autumn days at home. So what with the jetlag and the dramatic change in the weather and daylight hours, it’s taken a wee while for me to get back into my writing rhythm.
But I do love the autumn. I take a childish delight in walking through fallen leaves and I love the quality of the light and the crisp fresh air. So I’ve been alternating spells at the desk with lots of nice long walks.
Back to work at the writing desk
And, as my writing schedule from now until the end of the year is pretty full-on, I intend to continue to find time for these mind-clearing, restorative and refreshing outdoor spells.
My first task on returning to work was to begin the redraft of the manuscript for my latest novel. I’ve made good progress with that and, after a bit more rewriting of certain sections, it will be ready to go off to the editor. The new book is called Fulfilment. It’s the third and final part of my Skye series of novels and it will be out early next year.
Author Talk
And speaking of Skye, where I lived when I write the first two books in the above-mentioned series, I’m heading back there this week on author business. I’ll be there as my alter-ego, children’s author Anne McAlpine, to talk about The Silver Locket, my Bonnie Prince Charlie/ timeslip novel for 9 to 12 year-olds. I’m going to be doing an author talk at one of the island’s primary schools and will also be doing writing workshops with some of the pupils. I am looking forward to it very much.
Book Sale
Then when I get back, I’ve got the pre-Christmas gathering and lunch of the Facebook group – Authors and Book Bloggers in Scotland – to go to in Edinburgh. And at the end of November I have a table at the local Craft & Gift Fair where I’ll be selling my books.
Lots of Reading
When I do find time to relax – and I will – then, of course, I’ll be reading. I read a lot of good books when I was away in Australia including, naturally lots of contemporary romance as well as a couple of cracking crime novels. Among the best were –
in crime: Lin Anderson’s Time for the Dead and Ann Cleeves’ Wildfire
in romance: The Day We Meet Again by Miranda Dickinson, Tropic Storm by Stella Quinn, Autumn at Blaxland Falls by Eliza Bennets and The Life She Deserves by Maggie Christensen.
And I’m currently reading and very much enjoying Kathryn Freeman’s latest contemporary second-chance romance – Reach For a Star
Questions for you
So, I reckon that’s us up to date. But before I go I’d like to ask if you have a favourite season and if so what is it that especially appeals to you about it? Also what books have you enjoyed reading recently and what are you currently reading?
As always please do leave comments below.
Autumn for me as well Anne. I love the beautiful changing colours, the crisper air, the damp smell if you are walking in the woods and even the darker evenings. I’m not a fan of hot sunshine so this is definitely my time of year.
Yep, I’m totally with you there, Joanne.
Great to see you back, Anne. I too just returned from a month in Canada, promoting my latest Amanda Travels adventure and visiting friends and family. It is taking me a while to get back into a routine. I am a summer girl and it is always my favourite time of year but I enjoy spring and fall as well. I am not a fan of winter though, hence to move to Spain.
Hi Darlene, I hope the Canada trip went well. It sounds like you’be got all the seasons covered. 🙂
Hi Anne I too love Autumn as it becomes so much quieter up here! I no longer live on Skye . My landlady had been trying to get me out of the house in Conista for over two years and the island had become so busy that it was a nightmare trying to get anywhere! I now live on the mainland – not far from Skye in Balmacara. it’s busy here too during the Summer months but, I have a shop across the road, a bus stop outside the door and a beautiful view across Loch Alsh to Kylerhea. I get about a lot on the bus and even managed to get to Bloody Scotland in Stirling using my free bus pass.
So glad you’re enjoying The Borders – there are some lovely walks there. I didn’t get down to Gala this year for the Edinburgh Festival as my friend’s husband has prostate cancer and is now undergoing chemotherapy. Have a good time on Skye. Best Wishes Mo
Thanks Mo, your new location sounds perfect. All the best.
Hi Anne, welcome home. My favourite season would have to be summer, when it is as warm as it can be in Scotland, when I’m warm through and through. I do like the changing of the season, the in between bits.
Thanks for your reply, George. Yes, when Scotland actually does summer, it does it so well 🙂
Autumn is hands down my favorite season. i love the the cooler weather, the amazing display of colors and the abundance of apples and pumpkins. 🙂
Good choice 🙂
🙂 thank you!