We leave for China today. First stop Beijing. I think I can allow myself to get excited. I know the cats certainly are because they are bouncing around the place.
I have really enjoyed my time here. It has been a positive experience sharing space with my son, his wife Ferdi and their robobvac which is even now harassing my feet. I’ve made it to the pool every morning, with additional visits with the family on hot nights now and then when time permitted.
I’ve eaten way too much food and I was hoping the heat would lower my appetite but air con baby, that keeps me going. We had dinner at The Coconut Hut last night in Beach Road. It is high end Malaysian cuisine. The lamb was amazing and the beef cheek rendang rich. However, we did not linger and we were home fairly early. There was packing to do and so on.
I have been debating whether I should take my laptop to China. I think we will be so tired after sightseeing that I won’t have energy to write etc but I will on the flight there and back.
On the writing front, The Prudential Light draft is now at 50,000 words and I estimate it will be between 60,000 and 70,000 words. I am debating whether to call it book 4 in the cry havoc series because there is some now action that moves things along as well as the memoir/Aunt Prudence’s story. I have also been playing around with taglines.
Do tell me what you think…
The Prudential Light: A Gentlewoman’s Memoir
Manners, Magic, a little spot of mayhem and not enough scones.
However, some people have commented that I should leave ‘a little spot of” out.
Compared to Amber Rose baked goods do not feature as much as they ought to. However, I am revising and I might get hungry. I have managed to fit in some pork pie.
This morning as I was waking up I thought it could be something like…
The Prudential Light: A Gentlewoman’s Imperfect Memoir… as you might have guessed Jemima does scribble in Prudence’s notes on occasion and event critiques her work.
You might be able to tell that I had fun with this story. Aunt Prudence proved much more interesting than I expected. People have skeletons in the closet and she has her fair share.
Singapore has been a perfect inspiration for this story. From the hot, humid weather, to the time in the pool letting my mind wander and characters telling me what’s next and the two museums that helped me with setting and so on. Being out of my normal environment, I had time to focus on writing as well as do some outings.
I’ll always treasure this time. I will be back but just for a day before I head home. The good news is I have an invite back just need to figure out when that might be. I will have to make sure Matthew comes too then.
Oh by way, Ruby Heart is now free. If Amazon want to charge you ask for a price match. I’ve submitted links so I’m hoping they will come to the party.
Check out Ruby Heart and meet Jemima Hardcastle, brave, intrepid and game for anything.
Links.
Donna Maree Hanson, Author, Phd in Creative Writing 