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Anita and I need a break. A vacation. She’s been working violent crime for over six years, and I’ve been writing about it for over ten. It’s not the real thing for me. I’m not a cop, and the more research I do into real police work, the more I know I could not do it. I do not think my mind and emotions would take the beating. Because it is a beating, but especially so on the units that deal with violent crimes. Most people are transferred out after two to five years, at least for a break; a breather. Anita and I need a breather. I guess most writers would be talking about taking a break from the series themselves, but that wouldn’t help Anita. Me taking a break wouldn’t help her feel better. We both need some place quiet to recover. I know part of my despair is my grandmother’s death earlier this years, and some events it has brought up, but I was pretty tired before she passed away this spring. I would take Anita home to visit her folks for Thanksgiving, I’ve got the first chapter written, but my grandmother’s death makes it impossible. It would not be a light and cheery visit, right now, and I fear that my issues would overwhelm Anita’s family. So what can we do that is a break?
I know I’ve shelved the next plot with Edward in it. I have not the heart for the Vegas book, I just don’t. Anita and I need to lick our wounds before we get more of them. I think the reason I liked writing MICAH so much was it was a simpler plot, and out of town means we’re not carrying all the cast with us. Maybe I’ll look at all my out of town plots and see what I can come up with. Though Micah or Nathaniel would be logical to take with us and with the book MICAH coming out, and both he and Nathaniel being on stage so much in DANSE, well, seems like we need someone else to get a chance on stage. But who? It’s hard to travel with vampires, safely anyway.
Why am I worried about this so soon? Because since book four, I’ve finished an Anita book then opened a new file on the computer and started the first chapter of the next book. I did not do it this time. I did not do it because the book I had planned next is beyond my psychic or emotional reserve. I know what’s coming and I cannot bear it. So something more restful. Something lighter, at least emotionally. Anita ideas aren’t usually that light, but I’m going to try and find one. I’d take her on vacation but you know it would turn into a busman’s holiday. Something would go horribly wrong, and it might not be that relaxing after all. Who knows.