Lately...

Well lately everything has changed, but once I've established a routine I can pick out the things that matter most to me and one of those 'things' is writing.

So my new verse novel 'Foot prints on the Moon' has been undergoing lots of re-writing, cuts with polish, until the main character Sharnie, is truly the focus.  This novel has a multitude of themes but now with some wonderful suggestions from my publisher and editor the story line is tighter.  A bit tricky with a verse novel as there is a fine balance between the poetry and the narrative.

But the subject matter and the time frame demand a poetic touch, an extra dimension as the story unfolds.


What else have I been doing?  Going through very, very old journals- my first writing journals as a teenager and scanning or feeding to the compost bin.

A surprise is that some themes then are the themes I still embrace now.  And look at the wonderful covers of my journals- I have saved them and will re-use maybe as junk journals which I am itching to try.

Writing still matters greatly to me and its the humming line, the breathing line, the joyous line through each day.

What matters to you at this Covid-19 time?

Editing

I've had an amazing few weeks editing the next two books out- one an Aussie Nibbles, one a collection of poems.  I've managed to still learn about my writing and am amazed at the power of subtle detection in my respective two editors.  AMAZING!  Thanks Penny, thanks Mary.

I am really thrilled with both books and as I write one is at the printers and one arrives there...maybe tomorrow.

Both books have taken many months if not years to grow- especially the poetry collection of over 90 poems.

I was able to road test a few poems recently at my residency at Sydney Boy's Grammar and was pleased when a laugh greeted the punch line in one and the others captured the audience- I believe in images, concrete details and fun with language.

I appreciate so much the illustrators in both books- in fact here is the cover of 'Note on the door and other family poems.'  Due out with Walker books 1st September.