I like a good surprised twist in a book. I love it when a book puts in a major twist that is both believable but that I did not see coming. It’s a tricky balance to manage well. Usually I can spot a plot twister before the wind even gets brisk; mostly because they are set out as if they are slowly spewing volcano.
The smoke is obvious, the billowing soot a give way, so I am not surprised when the volcano “suddenly” spits out the “surprise”.
I am looking for the kind of twist that makes a reader exclaim out loud while reading. A moment that compels a reader to tell the stranger sitting next to them, “do you know what just happened!” It’s the whoa – everyone is a ghost – kind of surprise.
I have an amazing announcement.
As I’ve written before, I’ve taken some time off from volunteering. I’m so excited to have free time again. My intention was to spend it with my daughters, but they’re old enough to entertain themselves now, so I’m left to my own devices. And it’s wonderful! (happy dance, happy dance.) But as soon as I put my pen down on the last few tasks of 2018, I had enrolled in a writing course and work got busy and we were off, touring colleges for my oldest daughter. 
This was the question from my long-time, creative friend Joyce, when I shared with her my doubts about trying to write.
February’s weather has been like a stew pot–snow flurries, ice pellets, freezing rain, more snow, bitter winds–and rarely a glimpse of the sun as if it’s the bay leaf in the meal. The days still feel too short with the grey skies and whiteout blizzards and the nights are long and chill the bones. Snow days cancel plans and keep us home. Forget snow shoveling and chipping away the ice built up on your step. It’s a perfect time for writing.