Well, thread #13 certainly wasn't unlucky for me!  I've completely "Glimmer in the Maelstrom", my Book in a Year and will be happy to stand next to Alyson and cheer while everyone else who's still racing comes across the finish line.

What was our due date, Timna?

Sorry Alyson, I jumped the gun, but it looks like you'll be over the line soon anyway.  I'm sure you'll feel much lighter once you've posted yours away too.  But remember, you're not contracted so they're not expecting it by a due date!  You can let it sit for a week and then do a final read through with fresh eyes in case something jumps out at you.  I'd have loved to have had the time to do that myself.

Do let us know the moment it's away so we can  all be visualising the editor loving it.

Another person who's crossed the finish line is Mick.  In typical humble style, he just happened to mention at the chat on Sunday that he'd completed his fantasy novel and it's currently 'in the freezer' while he works on other things. 

Deb, a brass band if you please, and Helen a few purple cream pies would be nice.

How about updates from everyone else who's working on the Book in a Year Project, so we know who's still in the game and who's deferring.

Everyone is doing so well.  I'm so pleased.  Good luck for this weekend, Alyson, and we'll have to have a big party for the 21st Timna.  Purple cream pies all round.  Glad to hear you're still looking through the rosy coloured glasses, deb

Cassie, don't worry about not being able to write just now.  You have to live as well.  And the things you are doing in your life now are going to be influence what you write when you do have time to write later on.  My advice is just to be as observant as you can - that's very important for writers.  Notice how things feel and smell, the colours of a sunset or the shadows under a tree.  And when you're in a situation where your emotions are aroused, make a mental note of how that feels as well.  If you're frightened, where do you feel it in your body?  Low in your belly or high in your chest.  And do you get a taste in your mouth at the same time?  Stories are about action, but also about how those actions affect people.  If you've been a keen observer of life and of yourself, you'll be able to make your stories realistic and engaging because people will think "That's how I feel when I'm scared."

One day you'll get the time to write.  And by then you'll have heaps of things to write about.

Alyson, so pleased for you.  It's a lovely feeling to get to the end.  Do let us know when you've posted it.  I'm sure you'll walk away from the Post Office feeling 10k lighter!

I'm not working at the moment.  Well, I am reading, so technically that's working.  Half way through Prospero's Children and loving it.  I know you told me you had it but hadn't read it yet, Deb.  Don't start!  You won't be able to put it down.  It's a real mystery/thriller, with a fantasy twist. 

Friday I'm off to an island in Moreton Bay to have lunch with a mate of mine, writer who lives there.  I'll be sussing out the sea on the catamaran trip over and telling myself it's research!  Ah, the writer's life...

Helen, so great to hear from you again, and Cassie please don't ever worry about not writing.  There's a time for everything, and you're so young.  I think this could just be your time to experience life and let ideas stew as Helen said.

Thanks for the recommendations re the Abyss.  I'm making a list of videos I want to hire over the school holidays and have added that.  Am also determined to see Music from Another Room, Dogma, Gosford Park, A Beautiful Mind and Robin Hood Prince of Thieves (because I adore Alan Rickman in it - he's such a good baddie).

I'm still researching the sea and trying to work out why I've written "Y chromosome dying out" on a piece of paper -  it won't leave me alone now.  I must have been watching some show on television and wrote it down, and now I keep thinking that's important and I have no idea why.  I'm sure it will fit in somewhere, but not sure how.

The other interesting thing that has happened is that two characters have come into my mind (nothing to do with the sea trilogy) and have said, "Write Me Now" so I'm doing that for a couple of hours on free days.  Not sure what sort of story it is - looks like it could be a romance - but the characters are so clear and so strong.  I'm not supposed to start the sea trilogy until after my research trip north in November, so I'm 'going with my gut' and writing this story to see where it goes.  It's not going to be long, maybe a novella, and it just flows out.  Will let you know what happens, but it's not looking like fantasy, just a contempary story about two people from different sides of the track who don't want upset their contented lives but, having met, can't seem to go on without the other.  Does sound like a romance, doesn't it, but I'm not up to any mushy stuff yet.  Just the fascination part.  And I'm fascinated by it and wondering how it will work out.  There are these great sub characters as well, and... well, you guys probably know how it goes. 

I was talking to Kim about it yesterday and wondering why I can't simply have a break from writing and be like a normal person for a month and she said, "We're writers.  We write.  It's what we do."  Hearing someone else say it made it more real.  But it is a funny feeling to know that I'm addicted.  I can't simply ignore this voice in my head that says, "Write me NOW," or I'll likely go mad.

Anyway, I'll keep you guys updated.

So glad everyone is going well, and Alyson, YAY!!!!! You got it away.  So pleased for you.  And yes, let's all visualise "the call".  I know a few girls who have received it and it's very exciting, however that, too, usually isn't the end of it.  They rarely accept a first book without revisions, so when you get the call you certainly get excited, but it's not a done deal until you send back the revised manuscript and they send you a contract.  Then you break out the bubbly.

Glad to hear the uni girls are getting some writing done in semester breaks.  I think it's pretty much common knowledge that Kim Wilkins wrote her first two published novels in semester breaks, just worked flat out, and I think (but don't quote me on this) got each book written in a year.  So it can be done!

Having told you all that a new story grabbed me, I haven't written anything on it for a couple of days because I'm kicking back with my kids, however they'll be back at school soon enough and I'll be a free agent then.

Have heard from my editor that she really likes "Glimmer in the Maelstrom" and is editing it currently.  So I should have it back within a month.  Looking forward to that.

Glad to hear you're firing, Nancy and Cassie.  Haven't heard from Deb for a while.  How you going in the cold west, Deb, getting anything done?  Or are school holidays just too mad?

P.S.  Glad you dropped by Timna.  Nice to hear from you again. And I agree about the uni subject, Holly.  I'm always picking up bits and pieces and putting them together later.  If you try to write in a vacuum, you make it very hard for yourself.

Jocelyn, so pleased that setting a time helps you.  Whatever works!  And great to hear that everyone is 'up' about their work, even if they're busy.  I think it's a great idea to do the screenplay, Alyson - your hubby is a clever guy.  I've been wondering how you were going with it.  Do let us know when you get those 10k milestones, Deb.  You're "Going boldly when no Muser has gone before..." towards that magical 100k mark.  That will be something to really celebrate.

Timna, so pleased you're back and involved and Nancy it's great to hear that your story is telling itself - that's the best thing.  Cassie, if you're happy with your dialogue, don't stress it.  The most important thing is to write the story and learn as you go.  Practise finishing books.  I was always ribbed about my characterisation when I started off, and now I think it's one of my strengths, so people commenting on it now can only help you in the long run.

I've been having time off with my guys, but this week I'll have a couple of days to myself while they're visiting family.  So if my mad girlfriend doesn't drag me off on some adventure, I'll be back into my short story/novella that could even be a short novel - not sure yet.  But if I don't get any more done this week I won't be worried.  Next week the kids are back at school and I'll have plenty of time to write it then.

Go Holly.  So pleased that it's happening for you.  And don't worry, Cassie.  Sometimes it works, other times you just have to sit and think about it a bit longer.  Can I ask, why did you want to incorporate politics?  And why do you want it to be complicated?  Neither of those elements are necessary for a successful novel.  Why don't you just try writing it the way it seems the most fun for you, and when you get to the end, if it seems to need more complications, work them in at that point.  But chances are, you'll be fine with it.

And if someone said my books were "heaps like Harry Potter" I'd be flattered.  Because Harry Potter books are very good.

Deb, so pleased that you're still clicking over there and enjoying it, even if you do have a squillion kids around you.  Only another six sleeps to go!

Alyson, you have a relaxing break, it will be a great time to let ideas ferment and clarify.  I'm thoroughly enjoying my time off, although I think I'll be all videod out by Friday!  Still, doing lots of curling up in bed/on the couch/at the breakfast table with a book, so that's working....isn't it?

Cassie, if you feel it needs to be complicated, there might be a reason for that.  I was complaining to a writing friend (when I was half way through book two) that I should never have invented four worlds that moved at different times because it made things way too difficult.  But she said there must have been a reason for that, or otherwise I would never have thought of it, so I just trusted the process and in the end it all worked out fine.

Perhaps that will happen for you too.

Well, my manuscript for book three arrived back from the structural editor yesterday, but "I'm on holidays" so I put it away in the study and won't look at it until Monday.  Aren't I disciplined?  It's covered in yellow post it notes, but I'm sure it will all work out.  It always does.

So pleased that it's all still flowing Deb.  Can't wait for the 100k celebration.

Alyson, how's the new job going?  Are you managing to get any writing time?  And if so, what are you working on?  The screenplay still?

I'm working my way through my structural edit on book three and have until the end of November to finish.  Taking the day off today to visit my friend who lives on an island in Moreton Bay.  More research for the sea trilogy I'm telling myself, but it could be just a lovely day of fresh sea air and fabulous coffee!