It’s been a while but much has happened this year. Not all of it good, but that is to be expected. In between the sadnesses, there have been many good times, and for that I’m grateful.
As we head into the holiday period and look forward to 2026, I’ve turned my mind to thinking of all the positives. In truth, it’s hard not to, as I’m deep into a new-old novel. First started several years ago, it’s been rebooted by a dream! Now THAT’S the way to solve a plot problem!
Publisher Moves
Soon I hope to be able to report on the new position of Odyssey Books. There is good news, involving another publisher, which we understand will be finalised this month.
I can’t wait to share this with you. Meantime, we await official notification.
A Dream Story for 2026
To be honest, a lot of my fiction writing happens through dreams or wakeful-sleeping, when issues resolve themselves through some arcane circuitry in my brain. Actually, I get quite a few nifty ideas for my non-fiction work in the middle of the night too.
But this one! A rollicking fantasy adventure, swords, sorcery and romance, that’s been lying unattended in a drawer* since January 2021 — deep in Covid time.
*Not an actual drawer, sadly. A file tucked away on my laptop. But you get the idea.
Anyway, it’s currently at 120,000 words and is going to make a) the first slab of a trilogy b) two halves of a duology or c) a stand-alone tome. Let’s see how it plays out. These stories have minds of their own.
So that’s my writing goals set for 2026: complete the dream, and seek a publishing home.
Stickability — persistence pays off
This month we are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. Although the time has gone so quickly for us, I know these things don’t happen by chance.
A PhD, a marathon, a novel, a relationship: success relies on taking the task seriously, putting in the time, energy and care to make the finish line.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a healthy and happy New Year.
Until 2026!