We’ve been living under an inversion layer for the last few weeks, a gray mat of clouds that keeps the cold hugging the ground. Even worse, it’s been kept company by a simpering low Fog.  Last weekend we went to visit our kids in Seattle. As we crested the Cascade Range, we drove up through the dismal gray into sunshine. Suddenly there was perspective. I could see mountains and valleys. The landscape and sky had returned.

Sometimes writing is like that. We travel along under a low ceiling of clouds and then something, an aha moment, words from a friend, something,  pushes us through. I was working on a scene, on the scene that leads to the climax of Wolfproof 3, The Destiny Stone. Timothy, Sarah and Jessica were climbing a mountain that really exists, but one I’ve never been on. I used Google Earth, I used maps, but they just weren’t doing it for me. Then I stumbled on stravaiging.com - an online guide to Scotland! It’s the personal website of a cyclist and photographer in Scotland.  BTW, stravaiging mean roaming. Not only are his photos terrific, but he actually mountain biked up the very hill I needed info about. I emailed him with questions. And he wrote back with just the information I needed. What a prince! Perspective: with  persistance you’ll find it.

Go enjoy the stunning photos on stravaiging.com . Plan a trip to Scotland

And don’t forget to listen to Travelers’ Market on Cover to Cover.

The winter edition of Goblin Fruit is out and it is as delicious as ever. Really you don’t ever want to miss the art or the poetry on the site. It’s always interesting and sometimes unnerving–doors to whole new universes.  This is the  site for poetry of the fantastic.

You should be able to hear me reading Frankenstein, but the sound, at least on my poem, isn’t working. You’ll have to settle for  reading.

Nice mention of my poem on Asakiyme’s blog and live journal…

Lines to remember…

You had a way of finding the soft spot,
the fontanel of every argument
where the bones of thought, not yet closed,
gave easy entry to the skull.
–“Frankenstein” by Maureen McQuerry

Start off a literary new year by listening to Travelers’ Market as the featured novel on Cover to Cover Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning Jan. 12, or download chapters to listen at any time. http://www.catholicradiointernational.com/covertocover.php

Sylvia Dorham, the wonderful reader, will be using a Cockney accent for Nom and a Scottish brogue for Tristan the dwarf. Can’t wait to hear it!