In Between

So I’m at a sort of ‘in between’ stage of things – finished Second Sicilian – the First Draft. All I can do about that now is wait for my lovely editor to say she’s read it and let me know what she thinks. And no, for those who wonder, that waiting doesn’t get an y easier, not really. I know I did a professional job, but at the risk of repeating myself, I will never, ever sit back on my laurels(which sounds pretty uncomfortable) and think ‘Yeah, done that – she’ll love it– next one . . . To my mind that’s a recipe for complacency and complacency is dangerous - it can lead to laziness and letting standards drop. And that’s never a good thing.

So I wait . . .

And I can’t do my usual thing of launching into a major overhaul of my office and spring cleaning it from top to bottom because on Friday I’d heading off again, To Wales and the wonderful Writers’ Holiday where I’ll both work and relax – and meet the newest of new M&B authors Abby Green (waves to Abby – see you there!) The office could do with the major overhaul – in fact it needs such a major overhaul that that’s why I’m not launching into it until I get back as I don’t have the time to do what’s needed and prepare my course for Caerleon.

And I have a pile of books I want to read. Top of the pile are books by three favourite authors and friends – Michelle Reid’s The Ranieri Bride – Julie Cohen’s Delicious and Kate Hardy’s Strictly Legal (this book- out this month - is dedicated to me so I get an extra thrill when I pick it up or see it on the bookshop shelves). And there are dozens of other titles. The non-romances that I didn’t have time to concentrate on when I was slogging over Sicilian2. I'm partway through Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper - a book that's been on my TBR mountain for an age now. I was riveted by her The Pact and this one has the same grip on my mind and emotions. Not an easy read - emotionally - but the way she writes is so clear and sharp and the subject matter makes you think - hard.

The next decision I have to make is how many of these I take with me to Caerleon to read when I’m not teaching/talking/attending talks/socialising. Oh and then there’s the major problem that Caerleon runs a half day trip to Hay on Wye – the town of books! And the BM just can’t resist a bookshop . . .and another bookshop . . .and another . .

I have 3 RNA New Writers’ Scheme scripts to read and critique. And that’s not easy. I want to be fair and honest so reading takes time and the reports take more of it.

I want to revamp my website. I recently changed to new designers and we’re looking at a total revamp so I’m thinking, planning, looking for ideas . . . It definitely needs an update now that the Bag of Books Contest is over.

I have an important book coming up next – my 50th title! I need an idea for that. One that’s worth writing for such a special milestone. I want it to be a book that marks the occasional with a bang. . . Still debating on which idea- but it does give me an idea for a contest . . watch this space.

And have I mentioned that it’s hot?? So really all I want to do is to go and sit in the shade of the apple trees and read – and sleep – and read – and sleep . . . .

It’s at times like this that I really wonder how I find the time to write when there are so many other things I want to do. And the problem is that when I’m in between books I have so much I want/need/would like/would love to do that I sit here slightly paralyzed thinking ‘I don’t know what to do . . .’


I wonder what it feels like to be bored . . . .