Do you write on a schedule and if so, what schedule? Some authors work on a schedule. I do not. There are days when I am completely absorbed in a character, or a section of the plot, and I work all day. Other days I write for an hour, or for several hours, then leave to tend to other business or perhaps meet someone for lunch. I may or may not return to the computer that same day. And there are days, sometimes several in a row, when I do not write at all.

How long does it take you to write a novel? The first novel in the ladies series, The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love, took two and a half years to complete with many edits and revisions. Book two, The Gardens of Covington, I finished in eight months. Eight months to a year is average for me now.

What do you like most about writing? Everything! I enjoy all aspects of writing including revisions and edits. It excites me to learn something new, and I don't mind going back and making changes hopefully for the better

Is the story formed in your head before you sit down to write? Some parts of it, but rarely the entire plot. I trust that the story will unfold as I proceed. Characters have a way of letting authors know what they want to do, say or be. You can choose to go along with them or not.

When you write, what comes first, characters, location, description? Often I begin a new chapter with dialogue. I may write three pages of dialogue, which is the skeleton on which I hang the veins and muscles of the story. I go back and describe the room or the landscape: its color, shape, size, and how the characters react to being in that space. I consider the senses. What do the characters see, hear, smell, taste, touch? How do they sit, stand, pace, crouch, and interact with one another? What do they think or feel? What do they say or not say? An artist friend, seeing me at work, remarked that my process resembled hers. She begins with an outline and layers (colors) in the spaces

The Dolly Madison Chapter of the Red Hat Society, under the leadership of their warm, delightful, and capable Queen Mother, Sandra Craddock, organized and hosted the 2004 North Carolina Red Hat Convention. And Sandra graciously invited me to join them and to speak to 500 ladies.

The hotel ballroom sparkled with crystal goblets, crystal chandeliers and magnificent red hat creations representative of every imaginable theme from wild wild west, to sci fi, to romance, and much more. I stood on a raised platform at a podium and they smiled up at me.

My topic was Possibilities. I spoke about my own life and the lives of the ladies, of positive versus negative beliefs and attitudes, and about potential, hope, and risk taking. I encouraged my listeners to fill their lives with affirming life-enhancing people, as the ladies of Covington are to one another. When I finished, 500 women stood and applauded. I was honored and humbled by their response, and I thank them all, especially Queen Mother, Sandra Craddock.

On a glorious fall day last October, Grace and Hannah went to the open market across from the tennis courts at Mars Hill College. This Madison County Farmer's Market is open from late March to late October.

Along pathways created by rows of brightly-colored, canvas-covered booths, parents pushed strollers or chased children who raced away toward the pen filled with baby goats, or to watch the man working his newly carved puppets. Couples of all ages strolled and shopped, some folks sat on benches off to the side in the shade of trees where food vendors set up shop.

Everything that is sold here (except canned drinks and fast food) is produced locally; fruits and vegetables, honey, Christmas wreaths, quilts, stained glass, homespun wool, bread, and much more.

With the holidays fast approaching, Hannah bought a deep maroon, hand woven cap and scarf for Max. Grace lingered at the book section, chose holiday cookbooks for friends, then spent forever deciding between jars of honey: clover, ironwood, or tupelo. The seller opened a jar and offered tastes on small plastic spoons. Grace prefered the clover and bought three jars.

The sun reached its zenith and the ladies headed for home.

For many of us the holidays, joyful times of the year, can be quite stressful. Choosing gifts, planning meals, traveling, and gathering with family may impinge on the joy of the season.

With the holidays a step away, Grace and Hannah and Amelia, have taken a day off to revitalize themselves. They've reserved a hot tub at Hot Springs. They will change from winter clothes to bathing suits, wrap in warm robes, and dash from the bathhouse to a great big tub of hot mineral water in a secluded jacuzzi on the banks of the French Broad River. Amelia's Christmas gift to Hannah and Grace, following their time in the hot tub, is a long relaxing massage.

Why not, take 'time out' to refresh yourself? Why not give yourself the gift of serenity and relaxation? Join the ladies. Pamper yourself in whatever way you most enjoy. Treat yourself to a delightful, stress- reducing, and personal gift for the holidays. Happy Holidays!

email: jmedlicott@mindspring.com

web: http://www.joanmedlicott.com