Back, and Busier than Ever

Yes, I know, I've been missing for the last couple of weeks. I didn't know I was going to take a break from blogging until I simply seemed to be in the midst of one. Besides, it's winter here in NZ – hibernation time.

It's been a busy couple of weeks. First, of course, as you all will know by now, I published my book Remnant on both Smashwords and Amazon. Thanks to all of you who have bought a copy! I spent a few days relaxing after the last minute anxiety in getting that available, then turned my thoughts to what should I do next?

I said a few times that I was going to spend some time writing a new book featuring Michaela and Trisha from Silent Light and Shadows Fall, and I totally intended to, I swear! I made a start and got three chapters into it when something extraordinary happened to throw all my well made plans out the window.

I had another idea. Yes, I know, I have them all the time, and I've at least three books waiting patiently on the sidelines for me to write. But this idea wouldn't let me go – it screamed at me to write it and write it now. So I did. I chucked the book I had just started writing (sorry to everybody who was looking forward to it) and brought up a clean bit of virtual paper and within about four days I reached 10 000 words on a brand new idea and a brand new book.

I don't know what came over me, actually, as it's more my habit to leave a book idea to stew for a considerable time. I've never sat down and started one straight away! It's unheard of!

I'm not going to give you even an inkling of what it's about however. I think writing a first draft is nothing less than a pure leap of faith – that you have something to say and that it's going to end up worth saying.

The latest issue of The Venus Magazine is out now – have you seen it yet? It's as jam-packed as ever with marvellous interviews, essays and reviews – and a short story by yours truly. Baxter Clare Trautman published a great commentary on the Venus mag on her blog and called me 'the lesbian Stephen King'. This tickled me pink, I have to say, as Stephen King is one of my favourite writers. Later however, Baxter emailed me to say that 'I'd been thinking  I called you the lesbian Stephen King, but as I was driving home last night it occurred to me that no, you're more like Nancy Drew gone lesbian….Stephen King's darker and gorier but your characters are as stubborn, determined, and, well, I hate to say it, but they're just as darn wholesome! as Nancy and her pals.  You could never call a SK character wholesome whereas I wouldn't mind sitting down and sharing a peanut butter sandwich with your girls.'

I can't help being even more flattered somehow, because well, when you really think about it, she's right – dark and gory isn't my oeuvre, but spooky and kind of honest is. Either way, it made my day!

I wonder if any of you are followers of The Cocktail Hour – where we are always invited to pull up a chair, have a drink and enjoy the casual discussions of novels and fan fiction? It's a terrific podcast and I've recently been invited to record a 'Bar Rag' talking about and reading from my book Remnant. Doesn't that sound fun? I'll be busy doing that this week, so sometime in the near future perhaps, you'll all be able to have a taste of my dinky New Zealand accent.

But right now, all you lovely people, I've a book to go and write…Which reminds me, I'm also editing Orange Moon at the moment and am hoping to make it available by the end of the month, give or take.

 

 

Filed under: Writing Journal