This week I'm venturing into the attic and extracting my Christmas Village. It has mushroomed over the years and takes me three days to set up all the buildings, houses, roads with street lamps, and people. It takes up my dining room. But once it's up, I love to sit back with a hot cup of cocoa and enjoy my efforts, especially at night when I light it up.
Last night I watched I watched Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I can't wait for all my other favorite classics to make their annual holiday debut. My favorites are It's a Wonderful Life, Christmas in Connecticut, Home Alone, and the comedies Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase, and Scrooged with Bill Murray.
Also on my holiday to do list are putting up the tree and decorating it with memory filled ornaments, dusting off classic cookie recipes and pulling out the rolling pin and cookie cut outs.
Finally, I take out my copy of Mary Higgins Clark's Dashing Through the Snow, a wonderful holiday story. But it's also wonderful because of what's inside the cover. I met Mary Higgins Clark at a Mystery Writers of America/New York City Chapter holiday party where she was the honorary Santa Claus. She spoke to me as if I was her friend. Her book was included in the gift bag. Mary Higgins Clark smiled as I handed her a my copy to sign. She asked me what I wrote. I said, "Romantic suspense." She asked if my book was published. I smiled back and shook my head. She then asked the name of my protagonist. I said, "Dr. Tara Ross." Mary Higgins Clark wrote, "For Tanya. Here's to Dr. Tara Ross. Long may she reign." She handed the book back to me and said, "Your book will be published."
Thank you, Mary Higgins Clark.
Her words of encouragement helped me through two holiday seasons. This season I received word that my book will be published. If Memory Serves, featuring my protagonist, Dr. Tara Ross, is due for release in November 2012 by Knight Romance Publishing. Long may she reign, indeed!
What's on your holiday to do list?
