Collaging

I'm not sure collaging is a word. But it's what I've been working on. And at the same time I've been thinking about the whole process of writing a book.

I suppose, even though I've never done it before on a page with pictures, gathering bits and pieces and, from their inspiration, creating a whole is what I've always done. It's a process that begins, for me, with people. I am still looking for a picture of Sara. When I knew her in my mind in The Great Montana Cowboy Auction she was 19. She had short dark hair, was basically no nonsense and intense and driven. There was a fire burning in Sara then.

Now, I think, she's softened a bit. In some ways, at least. She's been tempered by life. She's still only 25, but she's seen a lot in the last six years. Her world has both broadened and deepened. She's less certain about things -- most things, anyway. The world is not quite so black-and-white.

So I'm looking for pics of a woman who can say all that in a look -- or two or three. I'd like to see her at 19. And I'd like to see her now. I'd like to see her with her son. And in her work. And remembering Flynn. Remembering him as she hasn't let herself remember him in years.

I'd like to see her face when she sees him again, when her world turns upside down. I'm going to have to get some more magazines or hit the internet harder to find her, I think.


I've got Flynn. I have my stash of JP pix that help me visualize him as he is now. But I found a picture of him this evening taken several years ago. He looks younger, of course, and perhaps a little more smoothly gorgeous. Less weathered. More sure of himself, perhaps.

Time has that effect, I think. But while Flynn may not be quite so sure of some things now, he's very definitely got a grip on others. It's an intriguing process, watching one's hero grow up.


I've had fun with the setting parts of this collage business, too. I'm still collecting bits of the castle -- rooms with a view, that sort of thing.

And I'm gathering bits of New York City and playing with memories of that Montana winter six years before -- finding tantalizing bits of those few days they shared.

I'm still looking for Liam, their son. I'll know him when I see him. And Lizzie, Sara's sister, who called herself Artemis six years ago. Lizzie, then, wore a lot of black and looked very theatrical. I'm curious to find her now. And I'm counting the days until the Christmas visit from the Irish wolfhound!


Speaking of four-footed friends, I stopped by Kate's blog today (no, not Kate! The cat!) and I see that Sid is working his way through treats in order to pick winners of her contest. I imagine he's picked them by now.

I also hear -- from both Sid and Kate -- that TTG (the troublesome Greek) has gone away. I'm very happy for both of them (and for the Greek who had seriously outstayed his welcome). I hope he gets to spend a happy Christmas with his copyeditor (having got through his regular editor with no revisions at all).

And then maybe we will see Christmas pix from Sid. Gunnar is not enchanted with his Santa hat, but he thinks it's pretty tasty. Sigh.