January 2013 Updates

Happy New Year!

I hope you all enjoyed the holiday season. I had a quiet and wonderful Christmas at home in Colorado, and I think the best present was the snow that started falling on Christmas Eve. I have always lived in cold climates, so more often than not, my Christmases are white, but one year during college I spent Christmas at my grandparents in L.A., and I have never forgotten how strange it felt to stand outside on Christmas day in a tee and shorts.

A few updates:

I am hard at work on the first draft of Black Ice, my new YA thriller.  I'm hoping to finish the draft by the end of January, which is a lofty goal, but I'm determined to do it.  We writers under contract are constantly dealing with deadlines, and while mine isn't until May, I'm hoping to impress my new editor by turning my manuscript in early. If I make a good impression now, maybe she'll cut me some slack later on! Several of you have asked me to reveal the characters' names in Black Ice, but I'm reluctant to do that until I know for certain that I won't be making any changes. At present, the most up-to-date information I have about Black Ice can be found here.

The Silence paperback was released last week. So exciting! If you're a fan of Scott Parnell, you'll want to take a peek at the bonus content provided at the back of the book. I included an entry from the diary Scott kept while he was hiding out in a cave near Delphic Seaport. This is your chance to glimpse at the inner-workings of Scott's mind.

I finally watched the BBC's 2009 Emma TV mini-series. I can't believe how perfectly Ramola Garai portrays Emma. I kept thinking, "This is what I pictured in my head when I read the book!" And while I was watching for pure enjoyment, I couldn't help but study Mr. Knightley's character. Goodness, but Jane Austen knows how to create a hero. For your viewing pleasure, I've included one of my favorite exchanges below.

Have a blessed 2013!

Becca