It has been that quiet time of year when most of the festivities are over (except Robbie Burns Day which is celebrated enthusiastically here) and conferences and research travel have not yet started. January is a planning period—whenever I lift my fingers from the computer and take time to plan.

I am deep in the nineteenth century on my latest writing project, following the life of an intrepid woman who was born in 1823. It is surprising how many details I have to check. Was that word used in the time period I’m writing about? What kind of clothes did she wear at different times of her life? What were the laws where she lived?

Snow drops January 10th. Photo credit Roy McGrath

My study looks like a library with books everywhere, articles from journals stacked on the floor along with several PhD thesis which give tiny details I can’t get anywhere else. I have to concentrate intensely to make sure the details I do find make sense and don’t contradict each other. Keeping track of everything occupies me so completely I even spent nights dreaming about how the plot could use those details. Usually, I wake up with more questions to investigate. I have consulted with many archivists who have records only available in their libraries. They have diaries, parish records, old newspapers complete with advertisements that they keep for curious people like me. That’s amazing. It’s a complicated process but fascinating. I am into the home stretch now and will finish the manuscript in two weeks. (If my agent is reading this, I promise).

For those who are worried about Molly my cat she is slowly leaving us, but is not in pain, is eating well and has good veterinary care and has lived at least three months more than expected. She is still a personality and a delight.