Packaging Your Imagination

Saturday, November 3, 2007 is the date of the annual day of workshops for those interested in writing, illustrating, or performing for children and Young Adults run by CANSCAIP, Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers. Taking place at Victoria College, University of Toronto, it includes an exciting choice of workshops run by established artists in the field, plus a yummy lunch and an inspirational key-note speech by yours truly. My topic: The Secret Language of the Land. There are still places available, so do log on to www.canscaip.org for more info or ring 416-515-1559. The wonderful presenters include my buddy Martin Springett, Barbara Reid, Janet McNaughton, Sharon Siamon, Susan Juby, Maggie Devries, Muriel Wood, Helaine Becker, Dorothy Joan Harris, Sheila Barry, Frieda Wishinksy and Edo van Belkom. See you there in the Canadian autumn!

The Winding Stair Book Room

Here's the bookstore which is featured at the very beginning of The Hunter's Moon, the place where Finvarra first comes looking for Findabhair. Alas, all has changed utterly. The bookshop is only on the first floor and not all three floors as before; therefore you do not go wandering up the old rickety winding stairs. Nor is the coffee shop there on the top floor where you could get homemade cakes and buns. (A great hang-out for students and artists.) Now it's a fancy restaurant that is only opened during certain hours. Sigh. I hate the new Ireland betimes.

German Translator

The German translator of The Hunter's Moon made a flying visit to Ireland yesterday, just in time to join me for the harper's protest in front of the Irish government (see pics on my Blog). Here's Anne and I enjoying a sunny day by the Liffey River before visiting The Winding Stair Bookroom and other venues mentioned in the book. Anne brought me wonderful news. Bertelsmann (Random House Germany) are expecting great things with this book and are putting on a big push to promote it. She herself loved the story so much she travelled to Ireland with a friend to embark on Gwen's journey! Well that made me feel terrific, I can tell you.

Reader Art Work

I love when readers make art based on my work. It is both thrilling and inspiring. I've posted links to wonderful film trailers on Youtube for The Summer King (2 versions) and The Hunter's Moon. Here's a magical piece by S. Dixon who has given me permission to post it (though she didn't say if I should use her full name or not, so I shall put an initial). It's actually glimmering!

Second Tara Gig

In my other Blog I've mentioned the harpers' protest at Dáil Eireann this Saturday, September 22, at 3:00 pm, against the massive motorway that is being run through Tara of the Kings. I'll be there and hope to get a great pic. Now the day after that, Sunday, September 23, also at 3:00 pm there will be a fabulous protest at Tara Hill itself. Hundreds of people will be turning out to form the shape of a giant harp over the hill. I hope to be at that too! Famous Irish actor, Stuart Townsend, is organising this one along with the aerial artist John Quigley. Here's a sample of Quigley's work at the London Eye in England. Tara is, of course, a setting featured at the beginning of The Hunter's Moon and the end of The Summer King. Hmm, is it in any of my other books? The Singing Stone? Janey, I can't remember.

Can't Work

Oh Lordy, I tried to barrel into my next book - actually my next two books, one YA, one adult - and my brain shut down. Have to accept the fact that I am burned out. I've been five years working non-stop on the revision and expansion of The Chronicles of Faerie, re-painting that huge canvas, and I am simply exhausted. Now I keep saying that, but I have trouble accepting it. So I try to write and then my mind seizes up. Whether I like it or not, this workaholic is going to have to take a break.

Done and Dusted!

That's the revision of the fourth and final book in The Chronicles of Faerie off to Abrams New York today. The biggest change involves a major wrap-up of the evil aspect as it (now) winds through the entire series; something that was always there within the story itself but I had somehow missed it. Editorial comments are still to come and also a copy-edit, but it felt quite finished. I am taking a break for the rest of the week - from the writing, that is. Started cleaning out the shed today for Bruce's 'living room' and brought a ton of old electricals to the recycle centre. There's another ton of rubbish to go, sigh. Then I'm putting in plasterboard walls, a ceiling, lino on the concrete, an old sofa, electricals, my drum kit (out of the living room at last!) ... A woman's work is never done.

Nearly There

I have three more chapters plus postscript for The Book of Dreams and then it is done. YAHOO. On schedule, I will have it off by courier this Wednesday. Then it's time to get dug into my new work. Can't wait.