The White Canvas of Winter

by Karen Shughart

On the first of February at 10 o’clock at night I looked out a window at the back of our house. The sky was awash with light. A myriad of stars twinkled in the sky, I could see the Big Dipper. And high above our neighbor’s house the full moon shone white and bright, casting shadows and turning the snow in our yard into a jewel box of sparkling diamonds. It was otherworldly. I walked from room to room, looking out from each window, entranced by the beauty of that pearly orb shining from above that created stunning tableaux as far as my eye could see.

Living here is truly magical during every season. There is always something to delight our senses and tether us to the natural world, but for some reason I find winter especially compelling. On many  days the quiet, living far from commuter traffic and miles of commercial and residential development, is interrupted only by the roaring of the lake. But on that particular night the stillness was as soft and muffled as a cotton ball; I could feel the peace surrounding me. And that’s when it hit me: winter is the blank canvas upon which I write.

This time of year offers few distractions. During other seasons my senses are assaulted by the breathtaking colors and moods of the water, the varying shades of green on trees, a riot of seasonal flowers everywhere you look. I prefer to spend as much time outdoors as possible, absorbing the warmth of the sun, tending to my plants and herbs, walking along the beach and partaking of all the social and cultural events that occur, rapid fire, one after the other.

I have discovered I am most productive during winter months. That’s when I authored most of my fourth book, Murder at Chimney Bluffs, which was published last spring. Then I took a break until this past January when I noticed a photo of a white deer on Facebook that gave me an idea. I wrote and published a short story, The White Deer, in less than a month. I’ve started on book five, Murder at Beechwood Park, and it’s moving along. And, of course, I continue to pen monthly blogs for this magazine.

I’m not chained to my desk – I do get out to exercise, shop, and socialize with friends– but  after several hours of writing I often marvel at how quickly the time has gone. When it’s cold outside it’s certainly easier to stay indoors, but I wouldn’t be nearly as comfortable crafting my stories without being enveloped by that white canvas of winter.

Karen Shughart is the author of the award-winning Edmund DeCleryk cozy mystery series and a short story, set in the northern Finger Lakes Region of New York. She has also co-authored two mysteries and written two non-fiction books. A member of FLARE (Finger Lakes Authors and Readers Experience), she lives with her husband, Lyle, in Sodus Point, NY. Her books are available at local gift shops, bookstores and in multiple formats at amazon.com.