I’m heading into 2019 feeling unusually positive. Let me explain why.
Like most people I usually start January resolving to lose a bit of weight, or get a bit fitter, or give up alcohol, and also like most people I find it a bit of a drag, and give-up giving-up sometime before February comes along. This time, without really planning it, I did things a little differently. For reasons I’ve been forbidden to write about on this blog, my partner Maria decided in early December to give up drinking, completely, for 90 days (OK – she got very drunk on a school mum’s night out – just don’t tell her I said that.) I very generously offered my support by matching the challenge, and so – for the first time in my adult life – I had a completely dry Christmas.
I thought it would be a real struggle, and a few times it was a bit. But there were also times – towards the end of the annual four-hour Monopoly game for example – when I positively enjoyed being clear-headed instead of sleepy and a bit drunk. And it was much easier to cheat too. On balance it still felt like Christmas, and I enjoyed the time just as much as I would have with the drink. I also got a bit into running and eating a bit healthier, all before January came along with the pressure to set resolutions. And now that January is here – I feel I’ve got a head start, I feel healthy instead of tired, and I’ve realised something else. January (in the UK at least) is just rubbish, it’s grey and cold and everyone has to go back to work. So when we choose January for our dieting, or our giving up smoking, or our eating-healthy challenges, then we’re associating those challenges with the most boring, miserable time of the year. If, on the other hand, we give up over Christmas itself, we associate them with much more fun, happier times and the challenges themselves become more fun and interesting!
And with this lightning bolt of insight, I’ve got some news. I’ve decided to give up writing novels and write self help books instead! I’m only kidding (but if anyone would like a motivational speech, my rates are very reasonable). But I have decided this January to push myself a bit this year by setting ambitious writing goals. It’s quite possible they will all end up in the bin (and it’s equally possible that I’ll be back drinking, take up smoking, and be eating a family bucket of KFC for breakfast by February 1st.) But for now I maintain my aura of invincible positivity®!
I mentioned it briefly last year, but I’m now midway through the first draft of a new novel, which (I’m 99% sure) will be called The Crystal Tower. It’s a little bit of a new direction for me, and perhaps the most ‘grown up’ of the books I’ve attempted to date. It tells the story of Julia, an unknown and generally failing novelist who – at the time we meet her – has just landed the biggest publishing deal of the decade. Yet just as she prepares to embark upon the life she’s always dreamed of, she makes one small mistake. The story follows her as the consequences of that mistake echo through her new life.
I’m not sure what genre this fits into, but I’ve explained the plot to a few people, and every time there’s been a gasp of shock at the twists – which I’m taking as a good sign.
With my new-found mega positivity, the book should be finished by – oh next Tuesday at the latest – (OK, maybe the end of March). However, I don’t yet know when and how it will be published because (small drum roll) for the first time in my ‘career’ as an author I’m in discussions with a proper publisher! I can’t say which, and it might not happen, but if it does it’s an exciting new direction for me. And if not, I’ll simply keep on publishing in the same way I have for the last two years. (I can’t have done so bad, since you found me.) Either way I’ll keep you informed of progress.
A Scottish Murder Mystery Novel (I know the name but it’s a secret)
I had a new idea over Christmas for a book. That’s not uncommon, I have two or three ideas a week that I ponder for a day or so, but this one got me so excited I nearly spat out my mince pie. I’m not going to say what the idea is at this stage, but I will say I’ve already booked the family a holiday in Scotland to do a bit of ‘research’ in the location (and it is a very specific location). I guess I can also say that it’s a murder mystery plot, similar in genre to The Things you find in Rockpools, but with (I think) the best ‘hook’ I’ve come up with yet. (The hook is the thing that grips you, and makes you want to know more. And I want to know more). I’ve pretty much decided this is what I will write next, and I plan to be writing this over the summer.
The Things you find in Rockpools II
talking of Rockpools, I have been considering whether to write a sequel to this. This is prompted in part by the very gratifying emails I keep getting asking whether one is planned – and I’m so flattered that the book has generated so much interest. But also I just enjoyed being in Billy’s head, and I’d like to see what he gets up to next. As such I’ve worked out a loose plot, and if I don’t get distracted by something else in the meantime (which is entirely possible) then this is scheduled for later in the year too.
What else?
Now normally I’d think a promise of three full length novels is probably enough for one year. But as you may know I’ve been toying with writing childrens’ books as well. And this is another area where I’m going to expand a bit in 2019. The Hole in Casey’s Garden is now on sale as a paperback all around the world! (cue drum roll number two.) By entirely missing Christmas I could write another book on how not to publish a childrens’ book, but I’m finally confident I’ve finally got the quality up to scratch (or as good as it can be). I’m going to send a second email about this very soon, but if anyone wants a sneak peak it’s here (and yes, you can finally actually buy it!)
But I’ve also written and commissioned the illustrations for Rafa’s Rocket – the second book in this little mini series. The illustrations won’t even be started until March, so this will take a bit of time – but hopefully not as slow as the first time around. I’m having a great time writing the kids books, and they seem to appear fully formed in my head (I got up at six yesterday and by eight had written an entire story called Ivanka the Inventor – she comes from a long line of inventors and want’s to be one, but can’t decide what to invent, and tries out lots of very silly ideas.) OK, I’m not sure Ivanka will make the cut, but the point is it’s so much fun! We’re still working out whether publishing a stream of children’s books is the key to our fortune, or the route to financial ruin, but my hope is to add four or five childrens’ books over the course of the year.
Is that all? Not quite – for anyone who’s read this far, I’m going to reward you. If you’ve not read The Wave at Hanging Rock yet, then you can get it for free next week. It will be available from your Amazon store as normal – but free – for five days between 14-18th January.
Enjoy, and here’s a toast (sparkling water only) to a happy, healthy and fun filled 2019!
Gregg
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