Jan 14

On middles and muddles and big bad scissors

Well, I just passed the half-way point in this revision and sure enough the middle is as big a muddle as I’d feared. Tonight, I sat down and worked out what wasn’t working and how I could fix it. Then I cut 9000 words, give or take a few.

But you know what, that’s ok. Because I will streamline the plot, ratchet up the tension, throw in some conflict for good measure and this will be a much better draft for it!

I think I’m starting to get better at identifying places that need work, and I’m certainly less forgiving when they aren’t up to scratch. I’m going to take this as a good sign, despite the crazy-makings.

I’m hoping that I will have this whole section re-written by the end of the weekend O.O

Maybe I should go and get some sleep, you know, so I have half a chance…

Jan 12

Odds and ends and melting

Urk, it’s too hot tonight. Of course, this is nothing compared to what others have been putting up with. But still. Hot.

Melting inhibits the revision so instead, I’ll chat about some odds and ends!

First, and very exciting, is that the ToC for Worlds Next Door has been announced and my short story, ‘Graffiti’ is in there! This story was inspired by an old house near Centennial Park that a friend and I inspected. Of course, we had no hope of buying it, but the place was terribly rundown and deliciously creepy. Thankfully the new owners haven’t knocked it down and seem to be repairing it — it must have been beautiful in its day and hopefully will be again!

But why so exciting? Well, because I love what Twelfth Planet Press has been producing and it’s great to be working with them. And then there’s the ToC itself, what amazing company to be in! And last, but not least, because my husband has done the artwork to accompany the story! Which I also love (lots of love in this post isn’t there…) but that probably goes without saying.

See! Fun and exciting all round.

Second is a review of ‘Albatross Ghosts’ at Tangent Online. I particularly love:

I would encourage Anderton to apply her talent to riskier projects. She has a nice touch with foreshadowing and with other sorts of innuendo and would do well by expanding to more creative storylines.

I feel inspired by that, challenged. This bravado will probably only last until the next rejection but hey, might as well enjoy it while I can 🙂

Jan 11

Whew!

It’s only the very beginning of 2010 and already it’s a super-busy year. Apart from working myself silly with revisions (and a new book idea has popped up AND a short story… down ideas! Sit! Stay!) we spent the weekend up in the Hunter Valley for my younger brother’s wedding. So yeah, it’s been a nice kind of busy.

The weekend was beautiful. Lovely weather — if a little hot on a nearly 40 degree day in a small chapel without aircon — beautiful venue. The bride and groom both looked stunning and so happy. Caught up with lots of family and a few old friends. Drank a little too much wine. Managed to squeeze in a massage at the spa in the hotel.

Altogether lovely.

And now, I have to sit my butt in this chair and get back to revisions!

Dec 27

And we’re back!

Ahh, the internet. How I missed you.

Sadly, a month or so ago my dear laptop decided it didn’t want to talk to the great wide world anymore. Hence the silence. Of course, it picked a great time to have this hissy fit — just when I had flights to book, Xmas presents to buy and news to post! Poor little lappy.

So my wonderful husband decided to fix the issue… with a mac mini for Xmas! Thanks to him, here I am, chatting to you all from my spiffy new mac! How did I ever work on a PC before??

And even though this is old news I can finally say: ‘Dragon Bones‘ has been shortlisted for an Aurealis Award! ‘Best Young Adult Short Story’. I will be heading up to Brissy for the Awards night. Never been shortlisted for anything before so I’m very excited and hoping to have a great time.

Phew! I’ve been wanting to say that for ages. But it’s difficult when the only internet time you can find are a few moments at work.

Right, now I’m going to head back to the couch, where I can lie down and try to digest some of the enormous amount of Xmas food I have consumed in the past few days. Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday!

Nov 30

Small steps

I need to remember that I can’t fix everything in this book in one go, and that I won’t even get a clear picture of the overall structure until I read the whole thing! Got to stop pulling my hair out over everything, calm down, and take it one step at a time.

Much to be said for small steps.