Hello, you.

It’s March! [Insert the obligatory: how did we get here, where does time go, please let me pet your dog, etc.]

Pour yourself a cup of something nice, and let’s have a good old catch-up, shall we?

✨pats the seat next to me.✨

Behind the Words

I’m getting ready for my writing retreat in Italy!

And guess what? THERE ARE TWO OPEN SPOTS! Two writers who were coming together aren’t able to attend due to a family emergency, which I’m very sad about, but that means there’s still time for you to join.

And nope, it’s not too late! I’m incredibly behind in everything (as usual) and only bought my airline tickets yesterday. And I got a shockingly good deal as well as a lesson in how much harder it is to get from New Zealand to Europe than from the US.

I can’t share the whole itinerary (it’s proprietary to the luxury hotel we’re staying in) but here’s a cheeky snippet:

DAY TWO - Saturday May 9th

• 8 - 9am Breakfast at the hotel - fresh pastries, breads, yoghurt, fruit, juices, cereals, cold sliced meats and cheese, smoked salmon, eggs, cut fruit, tea and coffee

• 9 - 12am Morning workshop in the studio - Fascination - Today we pay attention to our attention. We'll write together, focusing on our fascinations, and discuss how to bring our writing alive, using our own special obsessions, particular to each of us.

• 12:45pm Buffet lunch at the hotel with a choice of hot and cold dishes, pasta, salad bar, breads, local wine and dessert

• 2 - 4pm Afternoon writing in the studio

• 5pm Departure to the local agriturismo for a pasta-making masterclass with Nonna and her family.

• Return after your evening meal with them.

Pasta-making with Nonna after writing! Are you kidding me?

There will also be lakeside dining, a full day excursion visiting three local, family run, artisanal food & wine producers with a tour and tasting at each, and most important, lots of time to nap.

Our only “job” will be to write. And to eat a LOT. (True story, I tried to tell the host that we probably wouldn’t need a four-course dinner every evening, and she politely but firmly disagreed. We absolutely do need that, she said, and she’s the expert.)

Honestly, I’m stupid excited. I haven’t traveled much since moving to New Zealand, and this will be my first trip to Italy in seven years. I have gone back to one of my favorite addictions: reading luggage reviews. Do I need new luggage? No. Will I still compare the specs on forty-two carry-ons? You bet your wings I will.

All are welcome: You can be a writer with 30 books to your name or a brand-new aspiring writer. My retreats work for you, wherever you are.

All the details are HERE and to reserve your spot, CLICK HERE.

Work In Progress

This year, my recovery memoir will be coming out (probably launching with a Kickstarter first, then everywhere else). It’s been ready to go for a while—it’s even copyedited—but I’m still working on recording the audiobook.

I just have to find a quiet place away from birds, which isn’t as easy as it sounds. We live near a bird sanctuary and WOW, the screeches of the local parrots! It’s wonderful, but you’d kill me if you were relaxing while listening to my book and suddenly, KRAAAAAAAAAAA! I’m moving into a new office in a couple of weeks, and I’m hoping the building will be soundproof enough for me to barrel through the recording and get it into your hands/ears! (Click here to hear the kākā.)

I wish I could tell you the title of this new book, but it has changed (they’re squirrely like that), and I don’t have a new one yet. It’ll come. I feel it creeping closer. I hope.

Get This

What I’ve been loving:

Last July, I announced I wouldn’t be reading harrowing books for a while, because I’m tired. I don’t wanna be harrowed.

I still feel that way. That said, I’ve let a few thrillers slip in, as thrillers are wont to do (creepy little things), but mostly, I’ve been chasing joy.

Scroll to the bottom if you want to tell me and others about the delightful book that makes you happy to your toes.

Fiction: Eddie Winston is Looking For Love, Marianne Cronin

I’m not always the biggest fan of “old person does something cute” in a novel. I think it can be trite at best and infantilizing at worst. This book doesn’t do that. Eddie’s ninety and never been kissed. There are reasons for that. There’s also a charity shop, a girl who’s lost what she loved, and a whole delightful backstory. Highly recommend.

Fiction: The Incandescent, Emily Tesh

Yet another novel about a school of magic, but THIS time, the main character is the middle-aged teacher. There are high stakes, but this book remains comforting and fun. Also, the author does something WILD at the end in terms of point-of-view, and it shouldn’t work, but it does. Very fun.

Fiction: How to Read a Book, Monica Wood

Honestly, I’m still in the middle of this one, but I can’t stop thinking about it, and it’s become that book I can’t wait to get back to. Five minutes on the bus? I’m reading. Can’t wait to go to bed tonight to keep reading. It’s about a book club and an ex-con, but it’s so kind and gentle and lovely. Five stars unless she blows the ending, but I don’t think she will.

TV: Bridgerton, Season 4

I know. It was silly. Cinderella with the CEO-Boss trope, but I still gobbled it up. I maintain that 1) Queen Charlotte was the best season so far, and 2) Violet (Mama Bridgerton) is the hottest one on screen. She ATE this season.

Your reward for getting this far! Crafting progress!

Pattern: Templar Prophecy

I started this more than a year ago and worked fiendishly on it, then put it away when we got the kittens (too dangerous). I only just remembered it. I’m more than 80% done, 200 hours in, almost 50,000 stitches so far.

It’s rumpled because I don’t use a hoop. Slippers for scale. My favorite thing is working on this at lunchtime while listening to a book. Heaven.

I’m also still knitting, of course. I have to finish a button band and then the cardie I’ve been working on will be done, only I think IT’S NOT GOING TO FIT, so I haven’t been inspired to spend that last 20 minutes on it. Argh.

Your turn!

What’s the best book you’ve read recently? You can either respond to this email OR you can pop it in our Crowd-Sourced Delightful, Non-Harrowing Books list! (Go there for inspiration!)

love,

Rachael

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PS - Writers, make sure to join us on this list, which is different from this one!

PPS - Come to Italy! Let me tempt you! You are welcome, no matter your writing experience. Totally welcoming to total beginners.