キャミー・タング著「戌年」連載小説 プロのドッグトレーナーであるマリ・ムトウは、厄年を迎えている。 犬小屋と訓練所の改築をしながら、いつも不服そうにしている家族と同居することになった。母と姉に言わせれば、犬の毛とよだれかけにまみれる仕事は、家族にとって恥ずべきものだという。彼女は元カレを説得し、数ヶ月間犬を預かってもらうことにした。しかし、彼の兄は、数週間前に彼女が誤って車に追突した、怒り狂ったセキュリティ専門家であることが判明する。 アシュウィン・ケイトウは十分な問題を抱えている。叔母が玄関先に現れ、同居を希望している。彼は彼女にすべてを借りているので、断ることができません。母親が家を出て行った後、ネルおばさんはアシュウィンと弟を引き取り、愛のあるキリスト教の家庭で育てた。しかも、弟のダスティもアパートを追い出され、居場所を求めている。しかし、彼は犬を飼っている。そして、その犬の飼い主は誰だと思いますか? しかし、旧友でオアフ島のノースショアでデイスパを経営する私立探偵のエディサ・ゲレロから依頼を受ける。マリの施設で奇妙な破壊行為があり、3年前に失踪したエディサの妹の財布を発見する。エディサはマリが危険な目に遭っているのではと心配する。警備の専門家であるアシュウィンがすでにマリを知っていることを知ったエディサは、忙しい若い女性を密かに監視することを彼に依頼する。 アシュウィンは、活発でのんびりとしたドッグトレーナーに不本意ながら惹かれていく。彼女は、幸せそうな母親を思い出させる。その母親の裏切りによって、彼は人と距離を置くようになったのだ。マリは、アシュウィンの冷たい外見を見抜き、彼が家族に忠実な男であることを認める。彼は、彼女のキャリア選択を批判するだけの母親や姉とは違う。 マリのバラバラな家庭とアシュウィンのバラバラな家庭の中で、過去を隠そうとする人たちから、彼らの周りに危険が迫ってくるようになる。彼らは、影で動く秘密に光を当てることができるのか? 過去に発表されたパートへのリンクはこちら。 *** 第九章 - ヘイ、黒いトイプードル マリの心臓は胸で激しく鳴っていた。彼女は母の家の玄関に向かって歩いている。隣の家から耳をつんざくような吠え声が突然爆発したとき、彼女は驚いて身を引いた。 何だとこれは?!彼女はリー
It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas...
Last year, I came across an article on gifts for writers, and I expanded on it with an article of my own. I’ll be posting a part of it every Friday and then eventually post the entire article on my Story Sensei blog.
I’m starting this series early so your loved ones—er, Santa can start saving up for maybe something extra special.
And if you have ideas of your own, leave a comment and I’ll add it to the list!
Gifts for Writers, part two (continued from part one)
• Arrange an author's website--domain registration, hosting, professional designer
• A set of business cards, or arrange to have the writer work with a graphic designer to design her own business cards
• CDs or MP3s of recorded writing workshops from a writer’s conference
• Membership to a writing organization like RWA or ACFW
• Registration fee and/or hotel and travel costs to a writer’s conference
• New laptop or computer, printer, scanner/fax/copy machine, flatscreen monitor
• Ergonomic chair and/or footrest, ergonomic or wireless keyboard, ergonomic or wireless mouse/trackball
• PDA
• MP3 player/iPod and/or accessories—car power adapter, Griffin iTrip, armband holder, exercise earplugs or other specialized/high-end earplugs/earphones
To be continued next week Friday.
Last year, I came across an article on gifts for writers, and I expanded on it with an article of my own. I’ll be posting a part of it every Friday and then eventually post the entire article on my Story Sensei blog.
I’m starting this series early so your loved ones—er, Santa can start saving up for maybe something extra special.
And if you have ideas of your own, leave a comment and I’ll add it to the list!
Gifts for Writers, part two (continued from part one)
• Arrange an author's website--domain registration, hosting, professional designer
• A set of business cards, or arrange to have the writer work with a graphic designer to design her own business cards
I can’t stress enough the importance of a professional looking business card. I worked with two graphic designers—one to create my logo, and one to design the look of my card (Designer Girl Graphics). Then I had the card printed using an online company rather than printing it myself because the cardstock and colors look more professional.
• CDs or MP3s of recorded writing workshops from a writer’s conference
• Membership to a writing organization like RWA or ACFW
• Registration fee and/or hotel and travel costs to a writer’s conference
• New laptop or computer, printer, scanner/fax/copy machine, flatscreen monitor
• Ergonomic chair and/or footrest, ergonomic or wireless keyboard, ergonomic or wireless mouse/trackball
I’m one of the lucky ones in that I haven’t had too many repetitive motion injuries from my writing, but I’m also not taking any chances.
I made sure I got a very good chair with a footrest that supports my lower back (which has problems from an old work-related injury). I have an ergonomic keyboard. I tried out many different styles of mice and trackballs at various office supply and computer stores until I found the one that best fits my hand and wrist, and I don’t skimp on paying good money for it.
Wireless is also convenient because I can shift my keyboard and/or trackball around on my desk, which isn’t very big, to enable me to do other types of work. However, not everyone will need/want this feature.
If buying this for a loved one, it’s a good idea to not surprise them with this gift, but to go with him/her to pick out a chair, keyboard, or mouse/trackball so you can be sure to get them one that really fits their body.
• PDA
I use mine a lot to schedule my writing. I like using the Calendar feature to figure out what blog posts I’m supposed to be posting, how many words I need to do on each day, when my deadlines are. Not everyone is digitally-minded, however—I have many friends who like to use a regular calendar instead.
• MP3 player/iPod and/or accessories—car power adapter, Griffin iTrip, armband holder, exercise earplugs or other specialized/high-end earplugs/earphones
I use my iPod a lot. I often listen to music while writing. I also buy the MP3 recordings of writing workshops from RWA and ACFW conferences and then listen to the workshops when I’m walking the dog, exercising on a machine, or driving in my car—I have a Griffin iTrip accessory that hooks into my iPod so that it can be heard through my car’s FM radio.
To be continued next week Friday.