Work

This is the year Only Ever Always will FINALLY come out. I looked back through my blog and from what I can work out, I started writing it in September 2007 (I workshopped the first chapter as part of my Masters in early October), and it's publication date is August 2011. That makes four years. It is a book conjured from a constant series of transformation, and is radically changed in terms of theme and story from the first version though the central character remains the same and it has always had the same voice. I am expecting the copyedit in the next week. As the publication date draws closer watch out for some excerpts here on the blog. I don't mind saying that I am really happy with this novel.I have even composed a piece of music for it. The magical object in the book is a music box (actually two: the thing itself and the shadow of the thing). I am not sure what to do with the music however! I suppose a book trailer might be in order.

As for what I'm working on now:

I successfully applied for a Vic Arts grant last year, so for the first half of this year I will be writing short stories, which will hopefully elegantly link up to become a novel as one character - a four year old girl - will have a narrative arc, her character developing through the other characters' eyes. Yeah, well. It all sounds great in the application. I went over my application and thought, 'I would like to read that series of linked short stories slash novel.'

Instead I have to write it. Boo.

Still I am glad to have the space and time to develop a feel for short fiction. I have been reading and listening to short stories (remind me to blog about my Audible account sometime), and it's like a waltz, once you get the rhythm, it's not as hard as you'd think.