So here it is, the season to be romantic (because really, who wants to go outside in this weather). I bet your thinking you know what this post will be about. It’s almost Valentine ’s Day and love is in the air after all. Whatever you’re thinking, you’re probably only partly right. I turns out that I suck at romance, at least in the real world and in my books the characters are usually so busy trying to survive, they don’t have time to go buy their sweetheart a box of chocolates and some roses at the local trader. I talked to my mom about this and have been assured that this is a family trait passed down from both sides. I really had zero chance of being born a romantic thinker.

That said, I do have love in my life, bursting, beautiful bunches of it all over the place. I just don’t know exactly what to do with it.

I think I could take a lesson from my cat. He has love all worked out. He wears his heart on his sleeve and keeps the love flowing all year round.

I’m working on the romance thing. Maybe some therapy sessions would help. Until I figure it out, however, there are a few kinds of love I do grok. At the top of that list would be the love of a good story. I love to read them and I love, really love, to write them.

A couple of weeks ago, I started a completely new book after spending well over a year writing and editing a few books in the same world with all the same characters. Now, don’t get me wrong, I still love that world and those characters, but there is something truly magical about discovering a new world and falling in love with a whole new cast of characters. This is the kind of love I know how to work with.

Perhaps, someday, I’ll find a way to draw that passion out into the real world. Until then, I guess I will keep stumbling along.

Also, in keeping with the holiday theme, my query for The Girl and the Clockwork Cat is in the running for the Agent Blind Speed Dating Event at Cupids Literary Connection here. Please drop by and share the love!