Last Tuesday was a low day. The day began well, but then it went down hill fast. The kids were happy. We went to the shops to buy party supplies for my toddlers birthday. Then I got a rather brutal rejection from a publisher (low). Five minutes later my cover designer sent me a mock up of the new FIGHT cover (high- it looks AMAZING, I can’t wait to share). Then the boys decided they were going to cry. And cry a lot. I couldn’t appease either, so I threw them in the car and we went for a drive. A two hour drive.
My toddler was ratty as he was getting over a mysterious 24 hour bug and warm weather and the baby cracks it when he hasn’t slept. This is something that took me nearly 6 months to link the correlation – sleep = happy baby. No nap equals devil’s spawn (he earned the nickname A-Hole for a few weeks).
Within minutes both kids were asleep (yay for the baby! not so yay that the toddler was asleep again) I indulged in sad music and drove up to the Dandenongs and back down again. It was a beautiful day and driving makes me happy. It calms me. Gives me time to think. Reflect. Be inspired by the music. A chance to think about my characters. But this drive had a little bit more to it.
I have written about my creative A.D.D before but I have come to the realisation that I can’t work on multiple projects like some other writers. I look at them and go, well they can do it, why not me too?
I’m stubborn. Ask anyone who knows me well, and because of this if i say I’ll do something, I’ll do something. If I don’t complete said thing I get tetchy. Angry at myself. Stressed.
Call me slow, but I have realised that due to the fact I have two very small children, soon to go back to work part time and a husband, family and friends that need to see me every now and then, I’m pulling back a little. This means some plans I’ve made and announced won’t be happening.
Unfortunately HOLLYWOOD SINS is on hold for now, and I’m not sure when it will be published. But the first book in my saga, FIGHT, will be published next year. This title will be published under my pen name CHARLOTTE GRACE as it’s a totally different genre to my normal writing. Its dark, disturbing and hopefully will have you on the edge of your seat.
I have also made the big decision to concentrate on my epic, newly retitled “Rebel Hearts”. This is a historical fiction story that has been with me since 1998 when I wrote a short story about a family in world war two. Ever since I’ve been working on it, on and off, writing here and there but getting stopped by reality and facts – stupid facts. Until now.
So dear reader, I think that will keep me busy for now. As I type this I have my baby on one knee dribbling on my hand and gooing. It doesn’t get much better than this.
I do however have a little surprise coming soon that will hopefully satisfy my fiction fans…for now. Stay tuned for more information, coming very soon. The news will drop on my Facebook page so make sure you’re following to stay up to date.
claregriffin.com 