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cold front ahead!

It is the first day of the second month of the New Year, and temperatures in the Geneva area have dropped well into negative numbers. On days like this, I am grateful that I don't have to spend the day outside... although I have much admiration for those who do!

Sitting by the burning logs in the fireplace, I can contemplate on why this kind of weather brings thoughts of faraway places, of never-ending snow planes and brave men and women who have settled them in the past.

life choices

For me, living in a part of the world where snow-covered mountain peaks in the distance are a daily sight is a conscious choice. Just getting out of the house in the morning is a refreshing experience every single day, and living in a relaxed place where people greet you and even find the time to smile and ask how you're doing today is a profound experience.

Another year is ending... and a new one begins!

Which one is it then, the half full cup or the half empty? Yes, it is always somewhat unsettling to leave another year behind. All those things we wanted to do and didn't have time; all those resolutions that will have to wait another year. Not to mention, getting one year older.

But then, there's the excitement of a new year starting, not very different from that 'back to school' feeling we've experienced many (or not so many) years ago. New opportunities, a promise of good things to come, a new beginning.

Snow at 1400m

This is always a good way to start the day. When they announce the upcoming snow on the radio, I know it will be a great week, as there aren't many things as inspiring as watching the white mountain-tops on a crisp morning. It is nice that the snow is not on the ground (yet!) and that there are a few more days, or maybe weeks, of grace before the snow tyres go on and the thick winter jackets come out of the closet. 

Autumn Leaves

I've always wondered how do the Gods of Weather know it is September 1st? In this part of the world, come September, everything changes. The ripples on Lake Geneva are suddenly more pronounced, and the air smells of wet earth and coming frost.

Looking at the mountains in the distance, snow is suddenly visible, and it makes me think of burning logs and mulled wine. And burning logs and mulled wine are closely related to writing, aren't they? Of course they are.

What happened to August?

How can it be the end of August already? 

Perhaps it has something to do with the unusual amount of travel I've done this month - from Toronto to Vermont, back to Geneva and then to deepest, darkest Derbyshire in the UK, for my annual Writers' Summer School at Swanwick. After what was a very inspiring week there, and a short course I've taught about Political Writing, I found myself in Freiburg (the German one!!) on Saturday night - it's a long story.

July

Greetings from Toronto, where the North-American efficiency mixed with the laid-back Canadian attitude is making me feel very much at home. 

June

The longest day of the year is just around the corner. Can this really mean that summer is here and we are slowly heading towards shorter days and longer nights?

But there is so much to do and the warm evenings and breezy nights can call in that elusive inspiration for those of you who write; they can hold endless hours of magical reading for those of you who love books.

I'll be spending most of these coming weeks travelling, and there will surely be many new stories weaved as a result. Wishing you a wonderful summer, filled with good energies and many magical moments.

May

The summer is nearly here, and with it many outdoor temptations. It is much harder to sit and write when the sun is shining and the days are long and promising... so here is your chance to make a few competition deadlines before the laziest time of the year arrives!

April

 ...is a great month for European literature, with both the London Book Fair (April 11-13th) and the Geneva Book Fair (April 29th to May 3rd) happening within less than three weeks of each other.

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