Snow, Story Struggles, and the Olympics

I’ve mentioned before that I’m working on a new series featuring a group of kick-ass sixty-somethings solving crimes, armed with nothing but experience, sharp instincts, and a shared past in foreign service work. Progress has been… slower than I’d like. And yes, there are reasons—both craft-wise and personal.

New book cover

On the craft side, I finally figured out what was tripping me up. I was trying to make all the characters equals. That sounds noble, but it wasn’t working on the page. In the Jill Quint series, Jill leads. In the Damian Green books, Damian leads. This new series needs the same clarity. Enter Lori Dalton. She’s the leader now, supported by two or three formidable women and one man with the most mysterious past of them all.

The real culprit, though? Point of view. I don’t enjoy books that bounce between heads every chapter—or worse, every few pages. If I don’t like reading that, it’s no surprise I was miserable writing it.

Once I admitted that to myself, things started to click again.

Dog in his snow outfit

On the personal side… winter. I moved to Wisconsin to be near friends because those are the people I want to grow old with. Solid decision. But let’s be honest: Wisconsin winters are a test of character, and this one has been particularly cold and snowy. Getting my dog dressed for a walk feels like preparing for an Arctic expedition. I also have a borderline obsessive need to keep my driveway clear. I shoveled yesterday afternoon. It snowed overnight. Guess what I’m doing again today. There’s just enough snow to shovel—but not enough to justify dragging out the snowblower. That’s a special kind of torture.

Because I loathe winter, I try to escape it. Unfortunately, southern airports have been getting absolutely hammered by weather delays, so even my escape plans have been… aspirational. Sigh.

2026 Team USA at Milan Olympics

But! The Olympics are here, and that improves everything. I’ve loved the greatest sports show on Earth for as long as I can remember. In high school I played field hockey, ran track, and did gymnastics, and watching Olga Korbut soar in the 1976 Olympics was unforgettable. I lived in Los Angeles during the 1984 Games, when the city truly shined—and I even attended three events thanks to the guy I was dating at the time.

Later, during my corporate years, I once took my management team curling. Yes, really. I understand that sport now, and I still find that hilarious.

Here’s hoping the next two weeks bring jaw-dropping athleticism, a little inspiration, and maybe—just maybe—some cooperative weather.

Stay warm (or cool, if you’re lucky),

Alec