The last week flew by. There were moments when the thought popped into my head, I need to update the webpage, and 
then in an instant it was gone. Now I sit here on a Monday morning trying to think of the things I accomplished in the last week as well as the social moments. The writing and editing portion of my week was superb. I finished the second draft of the book including the addition of a prologue that will hopefully explain portions of the book. I brought Eduardo back to life at the end. Instead of having his nephew kill him, he ends up in a coma. I needed him to live and participate in the third book of the series I am planning.
I met Tim and Lourdes this past Sunday at Café Z for breakfast again. As usual I was there a few hours early and used the time to people watch. A cab pulled up and a woman in athletic gear exited holding a field hockey stick. For whatever reason, a story instantly exploded into my mind from that sight. So, I spent the next two hours writing the first chapter of what will be either a long short story or a new book. I haven’t decided which yet. For those who are curious, she’s an assassin and the hockey stick is her weapon of choice. Here’s the first couple of paragraphs, let me know what you think.
The petit girl exited the cab, field hockey stick in hand. Wearing running shoes, skin tight lycra sports shorts and bra, her thin body exuded strength with muscles strung over her frame like wires on a finely tuned piano. She had an innocence about her face, pretty but not beautiful. The pixie style haircut made it hard to guess her age. She bounced into the café and stopped beside my table.
“Emilio?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Yes,” I answered. “Do I know you?”
“Gregor sent me.”
My guard went up immediately. My hand slid from the table top and nestled on the butt of my gun. A reflex when alarm signals started going off in my head. Gregor Mendez controlled the street gangs that operated throughout the city of Lima. We had an uneasy truce for the moment. I had saved his son from the clutches of a murdering pedophile. In turn; he brought the more violent members of his organization under control, which meant a few less murders in my district to solve.
By the way, Tim and Lourdes are doing fine.
I had coffee with Larry this past week also. We spent time discussing writing and the publishing business. That quickly devolved into the deteriorating financial situation for expatriates living on the dollar. The exchange rate continues to drop here. We met in Barranco again at my favorite little café/bakery, “Espige de Oro.” After our meeting ended I taxied over to Café Z to meet Kathy for a snack and a juice. We talked writing also and she let me know how the writers’ group meeting had gone the day before. They had worked on a new piece by Victoria.
I spent Thanksgiving Day with Steve. It had been awhile since we had done stuff together. It was a beautiful sunny day and we ended it with a great dinner at Brujas de Cachiche and a movie in Larcomar afterwards. His brother Alex will start my dental work soon. I’m looking forward to having a brand new smile when it’s all done, one that will look good in a photo on the back cover of my first book. The rest of his family is doing well.
Saturday, Amanda came over to spend an antisocial afternoon with me. We spent most of the time in 
the living room chatting about all manner of topics. Naturally the time consuming topic was our writing. She will be leaving for the states in nine days to visit family and friends for the holidays. She also graciously agreed to read a start on a novella involving my Detective Rodriguez, a prequel to the novel. I’m looking forward to her comments. Unlike the novel which is in third person unlimited, the novella is in first person limited. I’m anxious to hear what she has to say about my writing in that tense. Amanda also used the occasion to test her Pisco Sour making skills. She got it perfect on the first try. I was impressed.
That was my week; I hope you all had a good one also. This coming week I intent to make one more pass through the novel looking for grammatical errors and polishing a few lines up. I am on schedule to meet my goal of having the book out to the agents by the first of the year. I may not express it here, but I am very excited about it all.
Thanks David.
Your week was fun and the stories are interesting, good to read you