Perhaps you've all been wondering what's been happening with me, Writers Lake and Bring a Book to Bed Day! The answer is "Lots!" When I started this blog, my idea was to prime the pump of creativity. I had always wanted to write a book, but about what? I didn't have a direction, even though I was often flooded by ideas. I needed to focus and beginning this blog was step one. Slowly, I began to turn my attention to other writers, books and ideas - and I began to write. It was nothing "important," just a story overflowing with plot. The Japanese husband falls down an elevator shaft, the ex-model mother-in-law begins playing bridge up and down the East Coast, the grandmother takes a ridiculously young lover - and falls in love! - the granddaughter develops bulimia - it was enough plot for ten novels and decidedly not in any style resembling mine. It primed the pump and then, WOW! Geyser! I had what I wanted - direction, focus, and certainly, the "what."

That is how a little over two years ago, The Goldberg Variations was born. I began writing, but very soon afterwards, I returned to work full-time (doing, among other things, this.) New York City life began to have its old, familiar tiring rhythm - and slowly, it exhausted me. The day-to-day stuff began to become all important and writing began to slide down the to-do list. Keeping my life in balance (sleep! shower! eat!) began to take precedence.

But so many big and little things happened. I began to realize I needed time to finish the book - and space. I also needed money - which full-time work provided. So instead of applying for grants and residencies and expending energy waiting for someone or something else to approve and fund my work - I decided to approve and fund my work. I gave myself what I consider my own personal Breadloaf. I knew I needed a big change, so I quit my job, packed up and moved out of my Brooklyn apartment and set off to the little town in Italy where my family hails from. In the back of my mind, I also began to think of this time as my own personal Eat, Pray, Love journey. (Maybe you remember that that is the book I brought to bed on the first Bring a Book to Bed Day! in 2008.)

I went to Italy and did a lot of writing. Although I did have the time to write, I discovered I didn't have the mental space I needed. Everyone seemed to need my attention and I needed to focus it on my writing. Then I came to Istanbul - and here things opened up. I had the time and the space. I have four more stories to write for The Goldberg Variations and I am more than halfway done with a screenplay called Princess Hipster. I have another book and screenplay just waiting to be born and all of Istanbul telling me its story too. What about you? What have you been up to?