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The Nutcracker Tradition
One of my longstanding Christmas traditions is appearing in the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker performance in the role of “Grandmother.” This year’s participation is especially poignant because it is the last year that the Maurice Sendak / Kent Stowell production will be presented. I’ve been a part of this holiday tradition for more than 20 years and have many special memories of the cast and audience.
This unique interpretation of Nutcracker debuted on December 13, 1983, and soon became a classic Seattle tradition. The vibrant stage sets, designed by Sendak, also required the engineering brilliance of Boeing. The Christmas tree, which doubles in size during a dream sequence, was re-designed by a Boeing jet interior designer so that it no longer required nine stage hands and operated more smoothly. (You can see this tree in the photo collage below.)[…]Continue Reading
Tis the Season in Seattle
Every city has its unique holiday offerings, but Seattle’s holiday scene shines like Clark Griswold’s house in the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. If you aren’t familiar with Seattle’s traditional celebrations, let me highlight a few of my favorites.
“Hop on a Holiday Duck Tour for a tradition that’s sure to put even a grumpy Scrooge into the holiday spirit! You’ll see the holiday sights and lights, hear about the holiday happenings and sing-a-long with off-the-wall holiday carols! Our Ride the Ducks Elves work all year to find holiday songs and jokes that deck the multi-denominational halls, so even if you’re just celebrating the fact that your pants still fit, this holiday experience is one you won’t want to miss! You’ll tour Seattle through the hustle and bustle of the downtown shopping district, Belltown and the Seattle waterfront, then head to Pioneer Square, where the trees don’t have lights – they’re wearing their favorite holiday sweaters!”
“Start the holiday season with this time-honored tradition (now in its 37th year!). Enjoy viewing this year’s trees and reading the inspiring stories of Seattle Children’s patients. The Festival of Trees raises funds for uncompensated care, supports research toward new treatments and cures for diseases, and enables Seattle Children’s Hospital to provide the highest quality, family-oriented care.”
“Celebrate the holiday season at Magic in the Market! Meet and take photos with Santa. Decorate gingerbread cookies with your family in the Market Atrium Kitchen. Get a belly full of laughs from performances by the Figgy Pudding Caroling Teams, right under the Public Market Center clock and sign. Enjoy Tiny’s Organic apple cider, indi chocolate’s hot chocolate and MarketSpice tea while you shop for locally made gifts.”
What are some of the local holiday attractions and events in your city?
Excerpt: WOMEN UNDER FIRE
If you haven’t picked up my latest release, WOMEN UNDER FIRE, Book 2 in the Grayce Walters series, enjoy this excerpt.
About WOMEN UNDER FIRE:
Life has heated up for Grayce Walters: thrust into the public eye and hounded by the media after solving an arson case with a critical clue from a French Poodle. When Ewan Davis, the sexy arson investigator Grayce has been steaming things up with, starts talking commitment, she definitely feels the burn.
Then a desperate mother begs Grayce to help find her missing daughter—an Afghanistan war veteran suffering from PTSD, and Grayce reluctantly takes on the case, following a disturbing clue provided by the missing young woman’s cat. Calling once again on the aid of her cross-dressing best friend and her shrewd assistant, Grayce uncovers a terrorist plot with chilling international implications.
Grayce races to rescue the young veteran before the escalating danger explodes. But if she manages to escape the threat, will she find the courage to commit to the fiery passion that awaits her wrapped in Davis’s arms?
Click here to read the opening scene of WOMEN UNDER FIRE.
An Inner Fire is on sale for 99cents
An Interview with an Interesting Character
One technique authors use to get familiar with their characters is conducting an interview. Posing a variety of questions and imagining how a certain character would respond helps to develop a complex, believable hero or heroine. Instead of interviewing a fictional character, I’m going to share few questions from an interview I recently did. I hope you discover something new about me!
How long have you been writing?
Five years.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?
It is very difficult when you’re writing for deadline. I always go outside. Nature always helps me relax and to slow my brain from spinning.
Tell us something about your newest release that is NOT in the blurb.
My newest release has a terrorist plot. I’ve consulted with a national terrorist expert who consults with the CIA. My family is worried that either the FBI or CIA are going to come for me over my Google Searches and emails.
Are you working on anything at the present you would like to tell us about?
As I finish Women Under Fire, I’m making notes for my Regency release, part of The Code Breakers Series. A Cantata of Love. I find when I’m stressed about my writing, I love making up the next book’s plot.
What are you reading now?
Mary Balogh’s latest release The Escape and Julie Garwood’s Hotshot. I’m always reading several books at once.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is kale salad. I also love seafood, so it’s convenient living in Seattle.
Where are you from and what do you love best about your hometown?
I’ve lived in Seattle for so long, I consider it my hometown. Seattle is physically outstanding with water and mountains on all sides. Love my city and have made it a character in my Grayce Walters Series.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done in the name of research?
I love all the things I do for research: go to Gay Bingo, work with Seattle’s Fire Department, go to museums in Paris, but probably the weirdest is I’m ALWAYS listening to people’s conversations. I want to hear how people are talking to each other. I once stopped and tied my shoe for 5 minutes to hear a couple argue.
Jacki Delecki is the author of Regency and contemporary romantic mysteries. Her most recent release is Women Under Fire, Book 2 in the Grayce Walters Series.