A New Year, A New Start

It's a new year and a new start for many people in many differnt aspects of their lives. Some people start a new weight loss program, others vow to quit smoking, or promise themselves they will keep in better contact with their friends and family. Writers make writing goals - to finish a first draft, complete some edits or to send off a manuscript or two for submission.

I haven't consciously made any resolutions as such, but at the same time, I've found myself doing a major clean-out of my study, packing away last year's project, and getting everything fresh and ready for something new. And starting a new blog. It seemed a clean place to start.

​Last year was a busy one in terms of my writing, finishing the edits on both a middle-grade novel (Oh Brother - Orca Book Publishers) and my first adult novel (Inheritance of Secrets - HarperCollins Australia). They'll both be released this year, which is very, very exciting. I really feel as if it's been a turning point in my writing skills as well. Working on Inheritance has taught me so much about structure and character development, and I am keen to get moving on my next project put those skills into further practice.

But is this the start of a new project? Not really. It's one that's been developing in my head for quite some time. I've done a fair bit of research on it already, and started the first draft as well. Hopefully it'll be full steam ahead now that I've cleared the space both on my desk and in my head for it.

What will 2020 bring? Two new books, for one, and hopefully a completed manuscript. Stepping into the world of book publicity as well, with two events already in the calendar, sharing some wonderful writerly conversation with friends in the business and whoever wants to come along and have a listen. And a new website. Well, sort-of new - it's another thing I've been tinkering away at for quite some time. If you're new to the site, you're getting the new version here and now. Return visitors will notice a big change. But the blog is the culmination of it, so perhaps a new start for the new year after all.

Happy New Year to all. May you be successful in whatever endeavours you set your mind to this year.

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