RHYS BOWEN : Over the last month I have been pretty much confined to the house. First I had Mohs surgery for skin cancer on my face, leaving a large hole in my cheek. Then I had reconstructive surgery to cover that hole. I was told I was not allowed to do anything after these: no bending, no lifting, no work, no exercise. Sleep propped up so nothing touched my face. Then just when this period was coming to an end, I came down with diverticulitis. Very painful AND I was on a clear liquid diet, again confining me to the house and making me feel very weak.
I put the time to good use, finishing my next Royal Spyness book. But apart from that I found myself with a lot of free time, when I’d normally be at the health club swimming, meeting friends or shopping. Luckily the weather in California at this time of year is the best: warm sunny days, cool nights. I’ve spent a lot of time sitting in the shade on my balcony just watching nature. We live on a hill and look out over the houses in the valley to the wooded hills beyond. There is plenty to see. I love watch the fog rolling in like a live entity over the distant mountains.
I love watching the sunrise when I'm up early:
We always have deer in the yard. I suppose it is mating season because a young buck has just shown up and is following the females. But because I’ve had more time to observe I have seen three foxes: such pretty creatures, not red all over like British foxes, but grey with orange trim. They must have been young siblings because they gamboled up my hillside.
The squirrels are so amusing, rushing up and down trees, leaping from one to the next.
One day a flock of at least 30 quail came down the hill. They were very skittish and when I went for the camera they fled beneath bushes. So all I got was a blur as they ran fast. Then there are the other birds: lots of goldfinches, providing flashes of color, as well as a pair of orioles. Humming birds hover and dart, blue jays screech and are aggressive—the school yard bullies.
And I’ve come to appreciate the value of just being. I don’t have to check my watch to think “I have half an hour before…” I can watch clouds. Listen to distant sounds. Close my eyes and let my thoughts roam and then, one day, find myself ready to think about the next book. It’s going to be set in Venice.
So Reds and writing friends: how do you clear your minds between books?
