Name: Californio
Born: August 30, 2016
Weight: 99,000 words
Height: 8 1/2″ x 11″
Length of Labor: Three years
The baby needs to be cleaned up, bathed, swaddled and nursed before he can go out into the world. But when he’s ready, you will be the first to meet him.
—The proud Momma
Congratulations! And it’s wonderful to see you back! Best of luck with CALIFORNIO.
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Thanks, James! Great to see you and it’s wonderful to be back.
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Congratulations! I/we look forward to a good read.
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Thanks, Wayne. The manuscript is with my editor right now, and I hope it’ll be available in the spring.
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Looking forward to reading your work that you put so much time and effort in. Can’t wait to see it.
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Thanks, Evelyn! It’s really kept me busy these last three years. I did a lot of research at the Santa Barbara Mission Archives and UCSB. I wanted to make sure the setting for the story was authentic and well researched. Can’t wait to share it!
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Great feat accomplished. Time to relax and recharge. Good for you!
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Thanks, Judy! This one felt like running a marathon. Much easier to write a screenplay!
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Congratulations! How long will your editor keep Californio until it is returned to you for revisions?
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Two to Three weeks. This is my first experience working with a copy editor, so I’m excited about going through the process. I’ve never had to do so much research for a book before and I wanted to make sure everything was verified and consistent throughout the story. I needed to understand this period of time so I could place my characters correctly in that setting. The only other projects I had to research like this were “Squanto” for Disney and an adaptation of a book, Man In A Box, that took place in Korea during the Korean War. But when you’re working for a studio you have the luxury of having studio money paying for as much research as you need, and giving you a research person to do the legwork. This time it was all me doing it and it’s the reason this story took three years to be born. Now, I have a better understanding about how fortunate I was to have those two projects paid for by a big studio.
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congratulations on finishing your book!! nice to see you back on here.
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Thanks, Lynne. I’m not sure I have my “blog legs” back yet, but I’m here and present again. It feels strange not to be sitting under a Redwood in Stow Park while on a horse traveling from mission to mission in 1774. Not to mention living the adventures of my characters. Writing long form fiction is definitely an anti social activity. It’s great to be back here again with everyone!
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Congratulations Darlene!! And good luck with your book!! If you need my help, please let me know! 🙂
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Thanks so much! I appreciate the offer.
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I do Author interviews on my blog. There’s a form on ‘Writer’s Treasure Chest’. If you’d like to fill it in, I’ll be there to plan and schedule this for you.
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So excited about this, can we all be Godparents?????
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Absolutely! Without a doubt you are all the padrinios – godparents. I’m counting on that!
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Thanks so much! I appreciate the offer.
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YAYYYyyyyyy!!! I’m proud, Darlene, right proud. 🙂 I do wish I could take advantage of my emoticon addiction and place some clapping hands here for you! It’s actually what I did upon receiving your notification here.
Congratulations, my friend.
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Thank you, Lynelle! I feel like I ran my own writing marathon and I finally made it to the finish line. I appreciate the congrats from someone who understands the discipline it takes (and training) to run a long race.
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Congrats! Can’t wait to read it.
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Thanks! Can’t wait to share it with you.
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Congratulations, Darlene! Can’t wait to read it!
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Thank you, Shirley. I’m eager to share it with you.
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This is very exciting! Congratulations!! Anxious to read it.
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Many thanks, Leslye. I appreciate your interest, and I can’t wait until it’s finally available for everyone.
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Can’t wait Darlene!!
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Thanks, Alesia. Writing a story is a lot easier than everything that comes afterwards. This part of the journey makes me the most nervous. I’d rather still be writing!
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I understand Darlene. I really do.
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Wow! Have just found you’re back on line. Hearty congrats on the baby! Please get the baby powder and nappies on quickly and wheel him or her out for viewing by the neighbours. I’m in just the right place for reading a great novel as I know yours will be. Am in a farm cottage in the Essex countryside. The silence is audible. Not a road in sight, let alone a passing car. Greenery for miles around with screes of trees, bounding bunnies and squirrelling squirrels; occasional visits by deer grouse and pheasants in past seasons when we have shown up too. Thank you v much for this great news.
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Many thanks, Yasseen. Come back to the blog tomorrow and I will introduce you to another baby in my life. How about that for a “stay tuned” moment?
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Am back, unfamiliar up-to-date computer and my 18th century nature notwithstanding. Help provided by persevering grandson. So, tricorn hat in hand and v much tuned in, I await your kind offer of an intro…
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So sorry you’re having computer problems. Hope you are able to read my most recent post. Here’s a link in case you missed it:http://wp.me/p2kx9f-sA
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I am at Carmel Missions and thinking of you! Gonna buy your book tomorrow!!
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Enjoy! And please let me know how you liked it. I loved writing it!
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Cant wait. I am with a friend who I encouraged to get it. She is a native CA girl!
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