Tuesday, January 21, 2020

What We're Writing @LucyBurdette


The Falkirk wheel
LUCY BURDETTE: The truth is, I am probably (almost certainly) not writing because I am on vacation. But I was writing before we left on the trip and I certainly will be writing when we get back, so here’s the smallest sneak peek into what’s happening with Key West food critic mystery number 11.

You may or may not remember that part of this book (coming 2021) takes place in Scotland. Hayley, Nathan, and Miss Gloria are visiting Nathan's sister, who is co-writing a book about thin places in Scotland. Over the two weeks we spent last summer touring Scotland, there was only one day where we were left scratching our heads to figure out why we were visiting this particular attraction. So Hayley and company head there too...

Then we piled in Vera’s car to drive to two local sites. 

“We’re meeting Gavin and the others at the Falkirk Wheel, but first I’ll drive you the by the Kelpies. Gavin insisted on including these in our book.” With a tight voice, she added, “there isn’t a whisker of a thin place for miles around. But I will have to leave that argument to the editors. Or the readers who trash the book because the authors persisted in including commercial sites with no real spiritual value.”
“What are kelpies? What exactly are we seeing?” Miss Gloria piped up from the backseat next to me.
“They are a couple of giant horse heads made out of metal,” said Vera grimly.
“Horseheads made of metal?” her mother asked.
“It’s hard to describe them in any other way. Some of the local folks are quite proud of them, as they commemorate the role of horses in Scotland and were designed by a well known artist.” We could see her roll her eyes in the rearview mirror. “And then we will be visiting the Falkirk Wheel where we'll meet up with the others. This is a boat lift that connects the Forth & Clyde and the Union canals. There used to be a staircase involving eleven locks that took an entire day to transit. This wheel was opened for business by the queen in 2002.”
“It sounds very different from the other sites you've mentioned,” I said.
“You think?” She turned around to glance at me. “I suppose it is a modern feat of engineering, so I don’t argue that point. And it’s clever and brilliant and a solution to connecting the canals. But I can’t believe anyone will ever have a spiritual moment while rotating in this concrete and steel contraption in a glassed-in boat.” She sighed. “You’ll see.


Of course something terrible will happen there, how could it not?


Meanwhile, THE KEY LIME CRIME (July 2020) is available for pre-order!



You can order it at an independent bookstoreBarnes and Noble, Amazon, and anywhere books are sold!


29 comments:

  1. I hope you’re enjoying your vacation, Lucy!

    And now, I want to know what’s going to happen when Hayley and company get to the Falkirk Wheel! Thanks for the peek ahead . . . .

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  2. Lucy, I have loved your photos on FB of Africa. Seeing all that wildlife must be such a thrill. The lion and her cubs was amazing.

    I'm so excited that Haley and the others are in Scotland. That you included Miss Gloria is all kinds of wonderful. I can't wait to find out what dreadful thing will happen at the Falkirk Wheel.

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  3. You may say you are not writing, but I am thinking you are taking notes galore and Haley will be on a safari sooner than we think.

    I admit to a shiver when I saw the photo of the Falkirk Wheel. Can't wait to find out what happens there.

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  4. "Thin places" - where you get closer to the spirits? I've never heard the term before! Also - have a great trip.

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  5. So glad to see that you're busting your characters out of Key West. I mean, how many of your quirky neighbors can you kill? But, at this rate, Hayley may become a travel writer, as well as a food critic. How are you defining the "thin places"? Are these places where the barriers between worlds, or levels of existence, or something else, are more permeable, and therefore thinner? Are we talking stone circles, or ley lines, or what, exactly? And how do Hayley and Nathan react to that? Such intriguing questions to answer as you write! Good luck with all of it.

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  6. Enjoy your vacation! Can’t wait to see what happens at the Falkirk Wheel.

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  7. Like Gigi, I am intrigued by the idea of 'thin places'--and a tour to visit them. And the Falkirk Wheel photo is incredible, but it probably wouldn't be in my top ten places to visit when in Scotland!

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  8. We cannot wait to see the vacation photos!

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  9. Thanks for sharing this sneak preview! The proofreader in me can’t help but mention that the Queen always requires capitalization.

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  10. Lucy, I am so looking forward to reading all about Hayley and her gang in Scotland. I am hoping that Nathan may have some uninterrupted time with the family but I won't count on it. I have no idea what "thin places" are but I'm sure all will be explained. Hoping someday to get to Scotland myself so maybe Hayley can show me what not to do.

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  11. Ooh, thin places. Like Edith, I've never heard the term, but I'm willing to learn more!

    I've also been following your South African adventure, and enjoying your dispatches on Facebook!

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  12. Our third narrow boat trip was planned around the Falkirk Wheel. As a civil engineer, it was definitely a spiritual moment as we guided our boat up the wheel!

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  13. Shalom Reds and fans. Lucy, Scotland has been on my bucket list for a very long time. As a child, younger than 10, someone, probably my Aunt Una, took me to see the Broadway or Off-Broadway production of Brigadoon. I’ve always had trouble understanding complex plots, requiring seeing or reading, several times before I understand a work. However, this play was simple and straight forward. I understood the plot from the beginning. An added bonus, was seeing Edward Villella leading a whole cast of dancers doing marvelously choreographed Scottish dancing. Enjoy your vacation time. I may look for your photos.

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  14. Falkirk Wheel? Thin places? I've never heard of the place or the term, I definitely have much to look forward to with this summer's reading. Enjoy your vacation.

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  15. Lucy, unlike Nathan's sister, I think the Falkirk Wheel is incredibly cool! And I love that you are using "thin places." Now I'm dying to know what happens next!!!

    Enjoying your African adventures so much. Will Hayley and gang get to go there next???

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  16. Now I must know how the Falkirk Wheel works. Off to fall down a Google rabbit hole!

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    1. A brilliant invention, one of many that the Scots have invented.

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  17. Lucy, you have me hooked! I am eager to get to Scotland myself but your crew can show me the way until I get there! Enjoy your vacation!

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  18. Lucy, enjoy your vacation! The sneak peek is intriguing! I wonder if Nathan's sister Vera looks like Ann Cleeves' Vera or is Nate's sister a generation younger? I think that this book will be my favorite from your series because it is set in Scotland. I am partial to novels set in Scotland (and the rest of the British Isles). I loved Scotland. I travelled to Edinburgh several times. Once we went on a tour of the Scottish Highlands and it was magical.

    Diana

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  19. Thank you all so much for the kind and interesting comments – if my Wi-Fi was a little better I would answer everyone of them. I can’t imagine that Hayley snow and company will come to Africa but never say never! I’m sure I will do a post about this trip in the future, but if you wanted to see some of the pictures you could take a look at my Roberta Facebook page or Lucy Burdettes Instagram. Love to you all!

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  20. I can see Nathan rolling his eyes at the mention of thin places. I know Frank's eyes were rotating at the mention of vortexes (?) in Sedona. I can't wait to read about the gang's trip to Scotland!

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  21. I fell down the Falkirk Wheel rabbit hole, too, and here's a great video showing how it works.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxKWSQDeA78

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  22. I've seen pictures, Lucy. Fabulous!

    I take it a "thin place" is where kelpies/spirits can cross over into our world?

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  23. Lucy, Happy Belated Birthday! Diana

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  24. Having so much fun reading your Key West stories. I visited Scotland last summer and know nothing of the Falkirk Wheel. But, we saw dolphins and we saw puffins. That was pretty neat! I should be all caught up by the time Key Lime Crime is available.

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  25. Just finished Key Lime Crime and I loved it....as per usual. Can't wait for Hayley's next adventure.

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