Welcome to this writer’s workspace.  Here’s what’s happening liiiiiiiiiiiiiive at Miranda’s desk:

What I’m working on:  Well, my “desk” this week is actually the kitchen counter in my parents’ house on Vashon Island, Washington.  I’ve been out here about a week.  I was supposed to travel home to New York today but, of course, because this month has decided to crap on us, there’s a highly contagious stomach flu tearing through my family (introduced, naturally, by my sister’s wee ones ;).  Anyway, to avoid getting violently ill on the plane or carrying the virus home to my husband, I’ll be staying out here till Saturday (hopefully not – but probably- doubled-over in gut-wrenching pain…).  In the meantime, I’m trying to enjoy the gorgeous weather and good company of my family.

I’m also trying to get a little work done.  The semester starts back up in about two weeks, so I’ve got syllabi and such to prepare. And, as always, there’s writing to do!  While out here, I’ve done a little research for Project Awesome, which is set in the Pacific Northwest.  I visited Greenlake, a neighborhood where the protagonist’s family lives, as well as the Fremont Troll, a spot that will feature heavily in some of the darker scenes of the novel.  I’m currently working on a section of the novel set in Pioneer Square.  Here’s…

…a snippet from the screen:  “I parked the Ramirez and Sons truck on Yesler and headed down the hill toward 1st Avenue, nerves scrabbling in my gut.  I’d tucked my rat in the pocket of my raincoat.  He was curled in a tight ball.  Like me, he could sense Kin all around us.  Kin behind storefronts and Kin on park benches.  Kin sizing me up as we passed on the sidewalk and Kin moving around underground like cockroaches.  I tried to swallow, but my mouth was dry.  Full dark smothered the last of the light as I rounded the corner.  Down the block, the windows of Bitter and Dark shone with a lantern-light glow.  With the sun gone, cold drew in around me.  I hunched my shoulders and headed for the coffee house.”

On the iTunes: Wallflower by Uncle Earl  —  my mom is always introducing me to fun new bluegrass and folk bands.  Uncle Earl is an awesome all girl band, full of spunk and perfect for a beautiful summer day.

In my mug: I’ve converted my parents to the dark, steamy joy that is Yorkshire Gold, so they’ve got a massive box in their house now too 🙂  I’m doing my part to help them tear through it.

Keeping me company: In lieu of Mr. Ramses, I’ve got my parents’ Havanese, Scout, to keep me company while I work.  He’s much lazier but also a lot sweeter (and therefore much less likely to bite me).  I still miss my fuzz-monster, though.  With so much travel this summer, I feel like I’ve barely seen him.  He probably knows the pet-sitter better than me these days 😦

Out the window:  Well, here’s the part where you’re really going to hate me.  My mom has a world-class 16-acre garden, so the view from the porch (or out any window) is pretty much a paradise.  I’ve included a few photos to share the joy.

Well…that’s about all from here.  Time to get in a bit more writing then go help my mom in the garden.  Gotta earn my keep, after all!