While most of the world is enjoying summer, or even suffering through a heat wave, here in New Zealand we’re smack in the middle of winter. Worse than that, we’re in the middle of an extra cold snap.
I don’t know about you, but I do not love winter! I would far rather be too hot than too cold. My husband disagrees, but that’s because he’s crazy, don’t listen to him.
There is a bonus to this for me though: there’s never a better time to be a writer! Especially when you’re in the middle of editing, which is the part where I like to procrastinate the most. Instead of going out and convincing friends to spend their lunch break with me, I’m hunkered down in front of the fire most days, blanket over my legs, cat fast asleep on my knee while I tap away at the computer. There are worse ways to spend a winter’s day.
Which leads to the good news – I’m finally finished with my own editing! Now it just goes off to the official editor, the cover has been ordered, and the book is almost ready to be released.
Don’t think I’ll be twiddling my thumbs waiting for the editor though. The book is the first of a trilogy, and I like to get out sequels relatively quickly (nobody likes suspense for too long), so I’m thinking I’ll capitalise on the cold weather, and start writing book number two. The cat will be the only one unhappy about that: I can edit with a furball on my knee, but for some reason, actual writing is impossible!
Where in the world are you at the moment? Are you staying warmer than I am? And has anyone, ever, mastered writing while dealing with a cold cat that wants cuddles?
Libby Cole 
I’m in Sydney, and it’s quite pleasant at the moment. We’ve just had an above-average maximum – Spring-like 🙂
I think that Winter is the best time to write, though. The heat of summer is often too tiring…
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Hello trans-Tasman buddy! Very envious of your glorious Aussie weather, but so true, I’m terrible at motivating myself to write in summer.
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Your husband has the right of things. If it is too cold you can combat it with layers. If it is too hot, you can be arrested by combating too many layers.
I’ll be sure to check out your book when it is released. Warm here, so it’s preferable to sit around doing nothing aside from flipping pages (or clicking a mouse).
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That’s his argument too! Whereas when it’s too hot to do anything but lay about and read, that’s my heaven.
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Lol–my cat is a floor cat, but I am also, strangely, a floor person. I’m most comfortable sitting on the carpet with my laptop on the coffee table and my cat sound asleep at my side. Also, let’s not forget hot cocoa (despite the fact that it’s summer here in New Jersey.) Good luck with the rest of your edits!!
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There really is no bad time for hot cocoa
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Oh, winter, how I do not miss thee.
I live in Upstate New York where we didn’t get our winter until a couple of weeks ago and I don’t think we even had a spring. It was cold and rainy all spring long, we even had snow. Snow. In May. Snow. And now, the weather is still all over the place between the rain and the heat, it’s been awful. Great for the crops, bad for the humans, lol. There’s been days where it’s rained after it’s been so hot that the black top literally steams for hours.
As for cats, it doesn’t matter what the weather is, my cat wants cuddles. All 10 pounds of her; five of which I think is fur.
NZ is on my list to visit and no, not just because of certain Hobbits!
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Snow in May?? That’s just cruel!
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It was bad. It wasn’t a lot, but still, it was snow. We had snow in July one year, it stuck for about 2 minutes.
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Hey! Thanks for coming over to my blog and for leading me to yours! Good luck with the next step!
(and I LOVED New Zealand when I was there. It was so lovely!)
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Thank you! Did you come over for a holiday? Which places did you go to?
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I’d still love to be in NZ, winter or no winter. I visited 2 summers ago and I’d happily move if I wasn’t already in love with my home in the Scottish Highlands – we can compare winter notes sometime. Although its currently summer here (in theory) we have had wild weather – wind, rain, snow on the hills, and then last week I got sunburned.
I’m currently looking through photos of my NZ friend’s skiing break – she lives in Kaikoura, with both beach and not too far from the mountains either. Whereabouts are you?
Of course, what I should be doing is writing…
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I definitely think you’d win on the toughest winter front! You live in a gorgeous part of the world, though.
I’m a bit further north than Kaikoura, just outside of the capital, Wellington. So we don’t get snow (usually) but we get crazy wind!
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Ooh, if I was ever forced to choose a city to live in, it would be Wellington – just loved it!
I did hear about the wind around there, but it was a gorgeous couple of days when we visited. I will certainly be back, just have to save and save – I did the total geek thing, the full 2 week LOTR tour 😀
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I absolutely love it here! I’m a sucker for spending all my money on coffees and dinners out, and you just can’t beat that scene here. Goes totally nuts every time there’s a LOTR red carpet too 😉
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I WILL be back…
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I’m jealous of both you, living in countries I want to visit. I have ancestors from Scotland (my great-grandmother was born there. I’m one generation from being able to get a residency there, if only my grandmother hadn’t had my uncle, lol).
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You just need to find yourself a Scottish guy to marry, then you’ll be fine 😉
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Can I marry Tom Hiddleston and make him move there?
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DEFINITELY.
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Oh wow, I can’t even imagine it being winter right now! I’s mostly rainy here in the States, but still warm, at least. I understand you perfectly – I would much rather be hot than cold! My boyfriend also disagrees.
It is true that winter is the perfect time for writing and other indoor pursuits – that’s great you’ve finished your editing! It can be a long, rough process sometimes. Best of luck with the next step!
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Thank you!
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Thank you for stopping by my blog. My family in Australia tells me it is bitterly cold right now. I don’t miss the cold but I miss home, although living north of San Francisco in 25 degree temps is kind of the best of both worlds. Not too hot, not too cold. Although if it was terribly cold and quite often it isn’t, I make it an excuse to have hot chocolate, marshmallows, a blanket and my laptop. Or just hide under a blanket with 5 books. So glad I found you.
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Oh I’m deeply envious of where you live, I love that part of the world! Any excuse for holiday there. And yes, hot chocolate is the only reason I tolerate winter. Otherwise I would be a BIG grump.
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I am a complete grump without my chocolate, I’m eating some now 🙂
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It was 65 last week and 100 today, good lord it’s enuff to drive a girl crazy
Congrats on editing…I Love Me Some Comma-cide 🙂
xx Willow
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Ha, comma-cide is exactly what I’ve been committing! Love that.
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I spent my last month in Australia, which is near New Zealand, in winter. I told myself I’d go out discover the country as much more as possible during that last month, but the truth is I spent most of the time in the living room, with blanket on the sofa. My OZ friends of course were busy with work. My Vietnamese friends in my hometown started to forget me as I had been away for more than a year. Winter raised up the loneliness so well.
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Oh no! I think it’s really easy to forget how cold it gets here in winter, despite all the gorgeous beaches in summer. I hope you go back when it’s warmer. Include NZ next time, we’re way cooler 😉
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I noticed from your post that you wrote a novel recently too. My book is a suspense *obviously from my excerpt* and intended to be a trilogy as well. Sadly, I’m still a bit green to the publishing world and pretty nervous about the process of query letters, synopsis, etc. I was wondering if you might have any tips for a first timer? I’m sure your pretty busy, so please dont feel obligated, but I would greatly appreciate any help I could get. Also, I would love to check out your novel whenever it comes out. Thanks so much for your time. Take care and congratulations on your book.
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Well it really depends what road you want to go down. I write romance, and in that genre, it really makes the most sense to self-publish in ebook form. I would start off by getting a really good idea of your market, and deciding if you’re ready to go it alone, or if you want a publishing house on board. It can be as easy as a really good google search. Good luck, keep me updated on how you go!
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Ahh, I’m from New Zealand too! Personally, I’m a huge of these colder months especially right now when the sun is out and its crisp and cool outside.
Where can I read your writing btw?
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Well welcome! I can overlook your crazy fandom of cold just this once.
Writing will be out soon! I’ve actually switched pen names, because I’m totally switching genre, so a fresh start was called for. However, this first one will be out probably in a couple of weeks, and I’ll make it free for the first couple of days, so do keep an eye out!
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Awesome! Will definitely be keeping a eye out.
Also, check out Wattpad. Its a great platform for writers like yourself.
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I’m with your husband on this–I’d much rather be too cold than too hot. We just got done with a heat wave here in Oregon and I wished for snow while we were in the middle of it! The temps have now become much more reasonable, however. Good luck with your writing!
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You’re all crazy! Heat is where it’s at. Excuse me while I scooch even closer to the fire.
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90 degrees today…and sunny. There are times I like the cold weather but I would always prefer a day like today instead of a 10 degree day. My mind works better when it’s not chattering. But if it got much warmer, I’d get a little cranky so give me a nice balance and I promise to be very productive..:)
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I’ve had to learn to write with a dog under each arm AND to deal with snowy New Hampshire winters! I feel your pain 🙂
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Now that’s true multitasking!
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I love winters! We don’t have the snow, but we are colder than usual this week, and there was a spectacular thundershow the day before yesterday night. It doesn’t bother me though. I love drinking hot tea/soup and eating ginger cake/warmed bread and so on, in this season. I also love taking long walks (after I ensure I am well covered) and feel the bite of the wind on my face.
I agree, it is a great time to write. 🙂
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I’m so with you on all the winter foods – I have a list of cafes nearby that do fancy hot chocolates, and when the weather’s like this, I just can’t restrain myself!
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