Root Canals, Flat Tires, and a Book Cover Reveal

Because apparently, this is how my writing life works now

My friend author Kelle Z. Riley has a system I deeply admire. She keeps a running list of all her cover colors so she never repeats one for consecutive books.

I…am not that organized. But someday, I aspire to be.

In the meantime, I’ve discovered something else: nothing motivates me quite like a cover.

Behold, the Cover!

Until a cover exists, my WIP isn’t fully real. It’s just a file on my computer—a hatchling still tucked inside its shell. But a cover? A cover makes it tangible. As a visual person, I need that. It also means I’ve pulled someone else—my cover artist—into the dream. Suddenly, the book isn’t just in my head anymore. It’s out in the world, taking shape.

Many of you know I’ve been working on Death of a Saint. What you may not know is that I’m doing it while also editing Purple, Blame, Game and A Paws Under the Petals (my novella for an upcoming collaboration with Neil S. Plakcy).

In other words: things are getting a little too real around here.

Life Likes to Pile on

And then—because life likes to pile on—I had a root canal.

The procedure itself? Totally painless. But as I was leaving, the receptionist stopped me:
“Your husband called. He needs you to call him back.”

Now, David was in D.C., so naturally…panic.

I called. Turns out my Tesla had tattled on me—apparently I had a flat (or flats), and the car decided to inform him that I should not be driving. Cheeky little thing, right?

Meanwhile, David himself was in an urgent care in Maryland. He’d developed a small abscess that decided overnight to become a much larger problem and had to be lanced. But he was still planning to fly in later that day.

So, the highlights:

• Two tires repaired (I may or may not have met a curb at Dunkin’. No further questions.)

• David arrives, in pain, with a seatbelt that does him no favors

• The next day, my mouth revolts in what is charmingly called a “flare-up” (translation: bacteria + rage)

My jaw swelled. I was miserable. Editing? Not happening.

David left yesterday. We couldn’t even kiss goodbye because my face is still too tender.

So instead, we shook hands at the airport.

“Well,” he said, “it’s been nice recovering with you.”

And honestly? That about sums it up.

But—there is a bright spot.

I did get a wonderful cover for Death of a Saint…and I’m excited to finally share it with you

Mystery Mondays

Join me tonight at 7 p.m. ET when my guest at Joanna’s Readers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1602372550058785) will be Nancy R. Thompson!

Love to all…and watch out for curbs at Dunkin’…Joanna