Doom and Gloom

So I am thinking that I may have to kill off some of my characters in the new version of The Book of Dreams. Really, JK Rowling has presented a serious problem for writers of YA fantasy novels. In the old days you wrote these huge battles in which no one died. Or at least none of your major characters did. But now that the Harry Potter books have introduced death as a significant component of children's books, the average reader will no doubt consider battles in which nobody dies as "unrealistic" at best or "wussy and dumb" at worst. In fact, I was perusing the tables of children's books in my local bookstore today and was struck by the number of books hailing death as their theme. Is anyone else reminded of Watership Down and that awful warren where the chief bard-rabbit sang only of death? That was how our heroes knew they were in a place that was doomed. Is that why we sing of death to our children these days? Are we doomed?

Great Read!

The Endicott Studio's summer edition of the Journal of Mythic Arts is up and it is, as always, a treasure trove of stories, poetry, critical essays, and fabulous illustrations. This edition is specially dedicated to Young Adult fiction and they've included excerpts from The Light-Bearer's Daughter accompanied by two beautiful pictures. Do pop over and have a look (at all of it, I mean, not just my bit!): www.endicott-studio.com. I'm going to make myself a cup of tea and sit down for a great read.

Harry Potter

Damn, not getting a tap of work done this weekend! Reading the latest greatest Harry Potter. JK really and truly is a stunning story-teller. It is mesmerising. I can't stop reading it and I don't want to either. However, Finn just wrested the book from my clutching fingers. I put up a fight but she's much stronger than me. The only way I got it in the first place, of course, is that she fell asleep over it last night and I was up earlier. Hah! But now it's gone till my next chance to grab it. I guess I'll shower and get dressed and get on with the day. What time is it anyway? Omigod!

Canadian Dreams

Working away on The Book of Dreams and picking up speed at last. Up to Chapter 33 of 45 chapters. It's a BIG book for a BIG country. Here's my desktop wallpaper at the moment, reflecting exactly where I am in the story. Dana is wind-walking and dream-speaking in the West, and she has crossed the Rockies a few times now. When I finish this penultimate draft, I go back over the lot for the final polish. Deadline: September. Meanwhile, I am turning over my weekends to my new book. Can't breathe a word of it - bad luck to - but I am very excited. Do I get a life in there somewhere? In bits and pieces.

All Hail the Summer Queen!

Yep, that's my Summer Queen speech on the Green Man website: www.greenmanreview.com. I fear it's a tad depressive-elated; but, things were pretty desperate at the start of the summer and I wasn't able to pretend otherwise. I like the image, though, of me dangling over the precipice, hanging onto a thread from a spider's web, admiring the view. Would make a nice illustration.

The Hunter's Moon - Trailer

Do I have the best readers or what? Here's another wonderful film trailer. And Johnny Depp as Finvarra, oh yes. Feeding my dreams, they are, and inspiring me to keep working.

July 12th

Happy marching, all you Orange men and women! Let's keep moving closer and closer to the day when this festival and St Patrick's Day are celebrated by everyone just for fun. I know that isn't an easy concept for all those who have suffered - on both sides - but it's not impossible. It has been happening in Canada for years and there's no reason why it can't happen in the homeland, also. And why is this comment in the Book Blog? Because those of you who have read The Book of Dreams (which I am currently revising) know that a central scene occurred on July 12th, 1850, as recorded in Dana's great-great-grandfather's journal.

Belief in Fairies

Here's a terrific video clip by my dear friend and fellow author Herbie Brennan of the fabulous Faerie Wars series. This is only the tip of the ice-berg in terms of his Faerie experiences. If I ever get a hold of a video camera, I shall record some of mine! Yes, indeed, lots of what we write is pure imaginative fiction, but then there are the other bits ...

New Agent

Just back from London where I met with my new agent. Very exciting. More about that anon, but deadlines to meet before the day is through. See pic on Blog of me with new boyfriend in Regents Park.