Let's Talk with Nancy J. Cohen

Five Authors Share About Spring
by Maggie Toussaint, Nancy J Cohen, James M Jackson, Terry Odell, and Tina Whittle

With Spring comes nice weather, and the temptation to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Of course, for writers, writing is their job, just like any other job, but it’s easy to want to set aside the manuscript and sneak away. We asked our Booklover’s Bench authors how they deal with the temptations of Spring. We’d also like to hear from you, our readers. Do you read fewer books in the Spring because the weather is too nice to stay indoors? We’re giving away a $10 Starbucks Gift card. Be sure to enter our Rafflecopter contest. And if you leave a comment, that’s an extra chance to win.

So much happens outside in Spring. Birds nest, flowers bloom, and there are too many shades of green to count them. I have a hard time staying at my desk on beautiful spring days. The outdoors calls my name, and I am powerless to resist. I tell myself it isn’t goofing off if I stop for a stroll or to water my flowers. It’s dreaming time! —Maggie Toussaint

Spring in Florida means blooming trees and flowers like up north, but it also means a return to warmer temperatures and humidity heralding summer. I work best when it’s warm outside. Winter weather, where the temps drop below 70 degrees, has me reaching for a sweater. Below 60 outside, and I am frozen. Our heating systems are less efficient than our air-conditioning. So I go around the house wrapped in several layers and am still cold. I get paralysis of the mind. I can’t sit on my favorite couch to do line-edits or read-throughs because it’s too chilly in the house, and I can’t concentrate to write. Spring reenergizes me, especially when it hits 80 outside. Bring on the heat! Since we can play outside year-round, it’s best for me when temps are in the 70’s to 80’s with low humidity. This happens mostly in April and November. That’s when I like to be outside to enjoy our parks and outdoor attractions. Otherwise, I can write best in warm to hot weather. Same goes for reading. —Nancy J Cohen

I am lucky because I can enjoy three springs each year. Spring is in full bloom at my winter home in Georgia’s Lowcountry. At the end of April, I begin my travels north—this year stopping along the way at the Malice Domestic mystery conference in Bethesda, MD on April 29 through May 1. From there we wander north visiting family and friends—and catch up to Spring again. Once we reach our summer home in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula we’re ahead of the leaves and experience a third blooming late in May. —James M Jackson

I live in the Colorado Rockies, where Spring is noted by looking at the calendar, not out the window. We have our markers—spotting the first bluebird, seeing the calves on the mountainside when we drive down to town, but this picture taken March 23rd, which technically is the 4th day of Spring is as typical as this one, taken two days earlier. So, I’ll enjoy taking a walk with the dog on a nice morning, then watch the wind blow the trees at lunchtime, and the snow come down before dinner. Up here, we say “Colorado has four seasons—often all in the same day.” I don’t mind the snow days. Gives me plenty of time to write—and read! —Terry Odell

I love to be outside during the first blush of springtime! Even though the work-y part of my work is done at my desk, I have made sure to surround myself with flowers so that even if I can’t get outside, I can see the beauty of the azaleas and dogwoods and forsythia and redbud trees through the window. —Tina Whittle

We’d love to hear from you, our readers. Do you read fewer books in the Spring because the weather is too nice to stay indoors? One winner will be selected from the pool of comments and Rafflecopter entries to win a $10 Starbucks gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The fine print:
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Winners will be chosen by Rafflecopter from all entrants for the prize. Winners will be notified by email. Booklover’s Bench authors are not responsible for transmission failures, computer glitches or lost, late, damaged or returned email. Prizes must be claimed within 5 days or they will be forfeited.