It's been another busy week or two for me, with a number of projects on the go. I like switching from task to task - one way to combat writer's block!
I've been giving quite a few talks at libraries to senior students and their parents on surviving school - all the best to all of you who are now counting down to final exams.
I'm also writing monologues. At the moment I'm polishing one called 'circular breathing' for a female in her early 20s. What I love about writing is the way some characters come along and almost demand, 'write me!' I'd thought of a completely different character, then along came Marnie, much rougher around the edges, much more opinionated, and more complex than I planned. Such a joy for me when the words flow as if I'm just the conduit. When I give author talks I have to confess that at times I hear voices in my head ...
A project that is taking shape rapidly is 'Writers on the Rooftop'. I'm one of a team (with bookseller and events manager Sally Chilvers and author Kate Forsyth) organising the first ever writers' festival in Manly. So a date for your diary if you're in Sydney - 23 September. It's part of the Manly Arts Festival.
And of course, I'm revising Smoke and Mirrors - I'm counting the sleeps until this reading by Parnassus Den. By the way, it's doorsales only, so thanks everyone who's asked about booking tickets for this event but bring along your money on the night. For more details, go to the link on the right of this page.
There's more to tell - but it's a wet, cold Friday evening in Sydney - time to light the fire, pour a glass of red wine and put on some music.
