Writing is so glamous! Not!
It’s a lot of hard work generally. I have to admit it has been a bit of a tough week. I worked three days in the day job and did no other writing. I was tired, yes, and a bit burned out I have to admit. Also, doing things after work. Tuesday we went to see Furiosa, which I thought was a masterpiece. Long, but beautifully rendered, with time taken to appreciate a scene, an emotional nuance. Last night we went to The Craft of Crime at the National Library of Australia, where I am now supposedly writing. The Craft of Crime was enjoyable an interview with Sulari Gentill (I’m already a fan) and Chris Hammer, author of Scrublands, who I haven’t read. For me as a writer their session was an inspiration.I bought books, got them signed and hung with mates for dinner. Thank you Matthew, Lily and Georgina. We talked of writing and writing retreats.
This morning I went to aqua aerobics, had lunch and came here to the library. All good. Except one of the manuscripts I wanted to work on won’t load. So something must have gone wrong when I shut it down on my desktop. Never mind, I have another project right here. The words are coming, but slowly today. The weather is unseasonably warm and also wet. I don’t mean it’s hot, it’s just not butt freezing cold like it should be.
However, I don’t have to mope! Monday is a public holiday so I have five days to write and do other things too.
On the positive side, I have been reading through Emerald Fire to reengage with the characters and correct typos. Not quite finished yet as I read it aloud. I have two hard backs of Ruby Heart on their way if the delivery notification is to be believed. These are achievements!
I’ve also been reading for fun. The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill and Spirit Hunters book four by Ellen Oh (kids book for research) and also listening to Paladin’s Strength by T Kingfisher, nearly done and I’ve bought Paladin’s Hope and I see there’s another called Paladin’s Faith. I really enjoy the pace of these, quite slow in places but nuanced and funny at times as she tells the story from both their point of views so you see the lustful thinking, the imagining and their self talk, often at odds with the other. Also, Kingfisher does put a lot of things between them such as headless corpses, heads, magic, demons, other people who wish them ill. I think it’s a great combo of fantasy, horror and romance. Also, the narrator is great too.
Actually, I had a bit of a ‘ah ha’ moment in reading Emerald Fire, that what was is fun about the Cry Havoc series, is Jemima, her relationships and her weird quips and dry musings. Doing the read through of Emerald Fire I found myself laughing at her antics and that’s a great observation, considering I’m writing Amber Rose. Lucky I had just introduce some chaos for Jemima to navigate so she can have some fun dealing with absurd people who say ridiculous things. I’m also having thoughts about the next book which I’m going to call, A Prudential Light, featuring none other than Aunt Prudence. This time it will be a mix of her life when she was younger and the present…apparently she did some really interesting things in her young womanhood.
As mentioned previously I have two books on submission to traditional publishers. And maybe that’s what is getting me down. It’s such a lottery. You can do your best and still nothing might happen. Not a good time, right book, wrong time…who knows.
But I will keep on keeping on!
Also, I’ll be a Geek Markets in Canberra on Saturday 8th June. I’ll be helping out on the CSFG table so if you are in the neighborhood say hi. Entry to the markets is free.
Also, new book cover preview next post.
And my latest binge watch is McDonald and Dobbs, murder mystery set in Bath. I just love Bath and it’s great eye candy. Plots are good, sneaky and well written. Dobbs is a sympathetic characters. Shows are longish like Vera, first season only two episodes. I’m half way through season three so not long before I finish. I have this on Brit Box but apparently it’s available on Freeview Australia, which I have not heard of before.
Donna Maree Hanson, Author, Phd in Creative Writing 