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Hi all I'm in Tassie, deliberately having removed myself from home to focus on finishing this latest book - an historical saga. My deadline is June 30 and I am pushing hard to deliver just before then. I've just hit 5000 words for today and I'm thinking I could probably write another 1000, perhaps 2000 if I push even harder. I never normally do this. As you know I write to a strict word count that has been worked out well before any book has even begun but I've had a lot of research and travel to do for this book and so it's not followed a traditional pattern for me. I've also become the stereotypical writer, I've noticed, barely climbing out of my pjs, snatching food when I can and drinking too much caffeine. Don't worry I do have standards and still shower and brush my teeth but not having to get dressed for the day or even wear a skerrick of make or do my hair is such a bonus. Today I've begun drinking honey and lemon in a bid to stop swallowing tea and coffee or chewing on lollies. I'll get there. Hope everyone else's toil at their keyboards goes well and stories are zipping along. F

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Well I'm not full tilt at my keyboard right now because I'VE FINISHED BY BOOK!!!  And so therefore, by extension, I've finished MY FOURTH BOOK, BUT MY FIRST TRILOGY! And it feels great.  I'm wishing that September would hurry up and arrive so I can read Valisar Book II, and also that a new idea will come soon.  I'm looking forward to hearing more about this book, and send all my wishes that you'll be able to escape this self-induced solitary confinement soon.

Link~x

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Well, I find it difficult to get out of my jammys, but for completely different reasons of course.

I think being pregnant is a lot like having an anesthetic - all I seem to be capable of is sleeping and being pregnant.

I thought I'd have so much time to get heaps of writing done - nup... spare time is for sleeping.

I'm just into my third trimester and things are heavy and slow.  My expectations about what I can achieve each day have gone from being quite high (pre-pregnancy) to extremely low (everything after the second trimester).  So, I'm the complete opposite to both Fiona and PP who are obviously charging on full steam ahead.  I thought I would probably be feeling very downhearted after comparing my efforts (non-existent) to these two, but, on reflection, nup...  Growing a baby is by far the hardest thing I've ever done.  I suspect the next hardest thing will be just being a parent.

There's something jammed up under my ribs... a foot??  Just need to massage it gently back down so that I can use that lung again...

Anyway, lovely to hear about others who are beavering away.  Need to go to bed now and sleep some more.

All the best.

Mdx

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Md, I use to just fall asleep mid sentence when I was carrying the boys. At work they had to install a sofa in my office so I could collapse each day whenever the need descended upon me. By the third trimester I looked like a ship in full sail but I increasingly found it too hard to sleep because of the feet and arms pushing into my throat I was sure! Mother Nature's way of prepping for sleepless nights, I reckon. Growing a baby is the single most amazing achievement and yes, I suspect the hard work is only just starting but there's a lot of joy to balance it all out. Just stay healthy, take all the rest you can because new mums need it and the writing will wait for you. Fx

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Hi Fiona,

It sounds like you've been busy and working hard! And cosy working in your PJ's in a holiday cottage, I hope the place your staying at has a fire place to keep you warm on these bitter cold winter days. I love your new website! I stumbled across it in a search, its very clear and easy to navigate.

Merryd; It sounds like despite the tiredness you're enjoying your pregnancy! Thats good to hear. Can't wait to find out if you have a boy or girl. Parenting is hard work some days, but it is worth it. I admit to turning away to have a giggle at how cute  a two year old can be mid tantrum. And my 14 month old daughter looking at her not knowing what to do. Should she cry to or just run to mum for a cuddle? Its hard to be 14 months old sometimes with a big sister whos a restless sleeper at night and wakes her up because she wants mum.

I have come up with a story idea for a kids fantasy, the idea hit me one day out of the blue, and so did the characters and their names. I never thought I'd do anything in the way of kids stories when I tried to think up a plot nothing happened in the past this time I wasn't even looking. So I decided to put my longer story on hold. My adult saga fantasy novel series,(First draft is done for the first book, so it will be there waiting for the time that I'm ready to work on it again.) I think this idea is worth doing and will be fun to write, and maybe in about 18months worth sending into an editor. I'm doing 2-3hrs a week writing late at night so I have make it quality time. I have to do something other than just being a full-time mother to keep my brain working and writing brings me into another world. My kids needs come first though. Cassie's adoption will be finalized in just a few weeks! Its a mile stone for all of us.

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"Plot is what keeps the story going when the characters are all fully clothed and not touching each other."

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My two were miracles, for sure. I know technology and science stepped in to help me when I couldn't have children easily, but I still like to believe two small miracles occurred. And now they're 18, working, prepping for university, talking about careers, making fun of us when we dither over how to use the remote control and the like. Children are worth every sleepless night, every sigh, every tear. And they are spectacular fun as young adults. The 'big push' has worked. I've just roared past 200,000 words on this meaty tale and will finish Fields of Gold either today or tomorrow, which is the most enormous relief. Still here in Tassie, heading home at the weekend to begin King's Wrath. Thanks re the new site. It's really going to act as a portal through to fantasy, crime, children's and saga. We're still working on it, to get it right, keep it as clean and user friendly as possible but I do appreciate your encouragement! We should be uploading for real from July and then just the saga site to go. Bit of time for that though - perhaps end of the year to beginning of 2010. Happy writing all.

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Yes - the new site is looking wonderful.

Thanks for the support, Ebony, Fiona... Everyone says the sleepless nights, the temper tantrums, etc. are so worth it.  I'll try to remember that at 2, 3, 4 in the morning.

Cool that you've started a kids novel, Ebony.  And that you are getting time to put in the work.  With two little ones, it must take an enormous amount of self discipline to sit down at the computer at the end of the day to write.

Happy writing all!

Mdx