We're Back!

It's been a month since our last post, but there has been a lot to keep us away from our desks — and our blog. In the past few months we have travelled, collectively, well over 20,000 miles, including voyages to Minnesota, to New York, and to Peru (but more on that later).

All of which is to say that we have lots to write about — lots of new book projects, proposals, interviews, research, and contracts, that is. And we even have a few stories to share on this blog.

But, as we writerly types know all too well, the longer you go without writing, the harder it is to get back in stride. The mountain of stories begins to seem insurmountable. And the blank page — the bane of all writers' existence — begins to glare whitely on the screen. Where to begin?

It’s like the hike I took this weekend. The trail was full of insurmountable spots, steep and slippery rocks, logs stretched precariously over violent rapids. It’s no wonder people like to use nature as a metaphor for the writing experience: with determination and persistence, the insurmountable can be overcome. And the view from the top is spectacular.

Okay, the view was spectacular. But that’s not actually where I’m going with this blog post. Instead, I wanted to write about how last week, Anna and I looked up from our desks to find a police officer in full-uniform standing in the doorway.

“Hello ladies,” he said. “Everything alright in here?”

We looked at each other and then we answered, as Louisa did before us, “Urfff.”

Six months ago, it was Louisa who typed a wrong digit on the fax machine and dialled 911 instead of India. This time, our intended destination was Russia. Like irregular blog posts, accidental phone calls to the local emergency services seem to be a by-product of a global economy and our expanding business.

It may be a slippery slope. But we are relieved to discover that it makes for some good stories. Enough to fill this blog for months to come.

*photo credit to Ben Kimball