For me, March came in like a little lamb because I was still waking up every day at my home in Uruguay and relishing the sight of deep blue water and endless sea birds.

But something tells me the month is going to end more like a big fat (and possibly ferocious) lion. Everything is ramping up, and my schedule is jam-packed. Though these weeks offer the promise of great fun, they’re definitely not going to be mellow.

— For one thing, my new career book, The Gutsy Girl Handbook: Your Manifesto for Success, launches on April 3 and I’ll be flying around the country promoting it. If you feel that a lack of gutsiness has held you back professionally, I know you’ll find the dozens of strategies in the book helpful. And it’s a perfect graduation gift for any young woman who’s ready to head out and take the world by storm.

— I also recently handed in my new Bailey Weggins mystery to my editor and await word from her. As a writer you just pray for the words “I love it; I’m just suggesting a few changes” and not the dreaded, “I so appreciate all the work you put into this, but we’re going to need some major revisions. Feel free to sob after we hang up.”

— I’ve also started my next standalone psychological thriller. For me, kicking off a new book can sometimes feel really laborious, especially if I haven’t yet nailed down my main character and/or my opening. Fortunately that hasn’t been an issue with this book, so writing has been a total rush. In fact, don’t tell my husband but it’s been a little bit like falling in love, and my fingers won’t leave the keyboard alone!

— Hope your March is as much lamb or lion as you want it to be, depending on what you’re craving! If you have any questions, please email me (kate@katewhite.com).

Fancy Meeting You Here

[Debbie Macomber in Montevideo]

A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of being introduced to New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber at a literary festival we were both speaking at in Florida (she gave a killer keynote). We attempted, to no avail, to sync up our schedules when she was visiting New York City, and it seemed like a reunion was doomed. But guess what? It just so happened Debbie was going to be in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, at the very end of February, and that’s only an hour from my house here. So we agreed to meet and had lunch at a great restaurant called Jacinto in the old part of the city. What a treat, though it seemed so improbable that we managed to meet there.

What I’m Cooking: my favorite pasta.

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In Uruguay my cooking is always very simple—lots of roasted vegetables, ensaladas verdes, and good wine. When I come back to the states, I remind myself to cook that way. My Uruguayan friend Maria Laura taught me a pasta dish that my husband and I are addicted to and now have once a week. You sauté diced fresh, peeled tomatoes in olive oil in which you’ve first cooked a little garlic until the scent blooms (don’t let it brown). When the tomatoes are heated through, add chopped basil and—secret ingredient—a dash or two of heavy cream. Salt and pepper, of course. Toss with quality penne. Top with parmesan cheese. Delicious!

 

What I’m Reading:

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
I’m not sure what took me so long to get around to reading Mary Kubica. I’d certainly heard about her. Well, I spent a few delicious afternoons curled up on my couch devouring this gripping psychological thriller (which I highly recommend) and now I’m on to her next ones.

Look for Me by Lisa Gardner 
Just started this new one from one of my favorite thriller authors. Man, that girl makes me turn pages so fast that they’d blur if someone tried to film me reading. This book marks the return of her Boston cop D.D. Warren and also the remarkable, kick ass Flora Dane, savior of abducted women.

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