Time Goes By

I can't imagine anyone remembers this blog. I've mostly forgotten about it. But, because I have lots and lots of things to do, I am procrastinating by catching up with it.

Here's a quick round up:
It amazes me, but my gorgeous little boy is nearing 11 months old; I am addicted to his smiles. My kitchen is still not finished, but we're almost there. Undiscovered Voices 2010 has wrapped up for us organisers; we're just waiting with fingers crossed for news of book deals. www.undiscoveredvoices.com. The next publishing event from me is a Children's Book Circle panel event on the Google Books Settlement www.childrensbookcircle.org.uk in early April. I've got some serious under-contract writing on the horizon and I'm so excited about it. I'm leading a super-secret, mega-exciting iniative that could make life better for lots and lots of people. I'm giving a talk to a group of 8-12 year old passionate readers and it's the thing I'm most nervous about. I have not done any actual exercise in months but I have been cooking up a storm in the kitchen. I just bought two new sweaters that I completely love.

There ya go... should do it for now. I hope it won't be another six months before I get back here again. But maybe you will forgive me if it is?

First Post-natal Blog

So, um, on January 2nd I wrote that I would post on this blog as much as baby would allow - which turned out to be not at all. Sorry. But, I can say that I did manage #1 "give birth" and #4 "stay involved in the children's publishing world".

In fact, it is the pursuit of #4 that inspired this post.

On Saturday, I taught a fantasy writing class. It wasn't my first time speaking to group of writers, but it was the first time I had ever taught. If you want to know what they thought of me, just click on this *ahem* picture below which was created by the creative Candy Gourlay, one of the writers on the course.

And please refer to me as "Slasher" from now on.

Off by a measly 10,000

November is... thank goodness... over. In case you were wondering how I did on my word count: I wrote 40,000 words. In one month. I was 10,000 words short of the 50,000 word goal, but I did beat my 35,000 word secret goal.

And that Word War I was having with my friend? On the last day, I was 1500 words behind her and my day from about 2pm until midnight was typing as much as my brain would let me. I almost caught up, but ended up losing by 50 words. Sniffle.

However, adding my 40,000 words to the 12,000 words I had before November, I have now completed the very first, first draft of a novel. It's very exciting.

I haven't even opened the file since Friday (the 30th) but I will crack it open soon and see how much of a disaster it is. But for now, I am glowing a little with pride.

And here's a pic of my final minutes...