Back when my kids were growing up, they’d spend every New Year’s Eve with their Oma and Opa.  As midnight drew near, Oma would bundle them up  and arm each of them with a pot and a big spoon.  They’d stand outside and, at the stroke of twelve, let loose with a clanging, clattering, hooting symphony.  Oma called this Chasing Away the Bad Old Spirits.  Let the new year begin!

Well, 2010 was a pretty nice year, and I can’t think of much  I’d want to scare away.  But there’s no denying the lure of the NEW, and for me right now that’s a new book.  A book with a BOY as a main character.  I’ve never written one before, and I’m finding it fun and exciting.  (He does have a sister.  So far I’ve yet to write a sister-less book).  Of course it’s early days, and I know there will be knotty problems to untangle, and sludgy morasses to push through.

But for now there isn’t a bad spirit in sight!  Can’t resist saying: the boy’s name is Larry.  And he is an expert on black holes.