March has been a busy month with Denman Island’s annual herring spawn.

The island where I live is home to an annual herring spawn that occurs between late February and early March. The millions of herring that arrive on our shores turn the water the colour of the Caribbean. A cacophony of sea lions, seals, eagles, and seagulls, follows, along with the fishing fleet. I took this video in early March to give you an idea of what it looks and sounds like.

Oceana Canada provides a more in-depth explanation on YouTube.

It’s loud, it’s bright, and it’s busy. At night, when we’d normally only see stars and a few distant lights on neighbouring islands, we instead look out on what could be mistaken for a cityscape with glaring lights in constant motion.

I wouldn’t want to live with that full-time, but once a year it’s an exciting change of pace.

Witch Book Progress

I’m thrilled to report that my WIP (work in progress) now sits at 80K. The finished draft will end up between 90-100K.

When I’m writing, I find it useful to find a photo that looks like the character I’ve created in my head. This is who I picture for the main character, Adeline Thorne. Adeline is a thirty-four-year-old witch who didn’t come into the magic she should have inherited. In real life, this woman is Magdalena Zalejska, a Polish model.

Upcoming In-Person Events

Can you believe I’m already booking Christmas? I’m also trying out a few new-to-me markets this summer. One in Parksville, and one in Campbell River. A full list of my upcoming events can be found on my website.

What I’m Reading

Sticking with my “must have magic” reading theme, I just finished An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris. This is the first in a series. Harris is one of my favourite authors. She wrote the Sookie Stackhouse books which were turned into the True Blood series.The setting for An Easy Death is an alternate history, where America has been partially absorbed by neighbouring countries. It’s a new kind of wild west, circa 1950. The main character is Elizabeth Rose, a renowned gunslinger, known as Gunnie Rose. She takes jobs protecting people who are travelling through dangerous places in the altered America. Magic is accepted, not over-whelming, but when it’s wielded, it’s fierce and feared.

I highly recommend An Easy Death and won’t be forgetting Gunnie Rose anytime soon. I’ve requested the second book in the series and will report back when I’ve read it.

I also read The Ward Witch by Sarah Painter. It tells the story of Esme Grey, who runs the guest house and maintains the magical wards on Unholy Island. Esme has a painful past that she is still trying to overcome, when newcomer, Luke Taylor, arrives. Outsiders can visit the mysterious island, but only for two nights. But Luke has overstayed his two days, and when one of the islanders is murdered, Luke seems the obvious one to blame.

The Ward Witch is stuffed full of mysterious characters. They all have some kind of magical ability, which Painter cleverly draws out. The next book in the series, The Book Keeper, tells Luke’s story. I can’t wait to read it!

Sign up for my VIP newsletter

That’s all my news for March. If you’d like to know more about me, my writing life, and my home on Denman Island, please sign up for my monthly newsletter, where I share photos, updates, FREE short stories, and insider scoop. I never share your email address, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Until next time…