So yesterday was a good day. That’s an understatement. Days like that are the rewards for working hard, and reworking harder, and then doing it again. And again. And, as soon as the moment has passed, it’s time to get on with the work again.
But before I get down to it my Saturday morning session (and hopefully without sounding like I’m accepting an Oscar), I wanted to publicly express my thanks for the help and encouragement that been offered along the way. In addition to all the friends who wished me well last night, I’ve got a fantastic writers group who critiqued the novel in it’s early stages and a cadre of editors who provided expert advice at key times; I’ve got a marvellous agent, a super-enthusiastic new publisher and the best, most understanding bidey-in in the world. But in addition to all of those people, there are the ones I don’t know, the baristas and waiters of the early morning coffee shops and lunchtime cafes who drop in the occasional word of polite interest or shared excitement along with your large tea or your change or the parmesan for your arrabiata.
Back when I was writing the first draft of The Moon King, there was a lady called Eleni. She worked in an Italian restaurant. One of the most cheerful souls I’ve ever met. Never failed to ask how far along I was, when it would be published, would I promise to tell her so she could read it. She’ll never get to read it because she was murdered by colleagues for the restaurant takings a couple of years back. I’m almost as glad for her sake as I am for my own that the book will see print at long last. Because every word of interest, every joke, every smile told me that all the work was worth doing. And it was.
Anyway, moving on… there’s another novel and couple of good looking short stories on my desk this morning all nearly finished. We have marked the occasion but the work never stops. And I love it.
ayeahmur 
To paraphrase Blackadder: Have a holiday. [Pause] Did you enjoy it?
Yes, climb back onto that horse. After all, if you’re going to get the next novel out within a year of the first… 😉
Paul – the next one’s very close to being done. After that it’s all a case of persuading people to love it.
Omg, how sad, but also inspiring Neil!
She was a lovely person. Really made me want to see it in print for sure.
Good for you … and what a painful story. And how wonderful you kept on. And congratulations.
Thanks, Mark. I don’t want to give the impression that she was a close friend and that what happened to her made me think about giving up on the book. More that the support people give you, even if you don’t know them that well, all helps you keep focused and keep writing. And you *want* to be able to do it for them, to reward their kindness.