Sunday, January 29, 2012

writing retreat week

I've been at one of my favorite and most productive places on the planet since last Monday. I'm happy to say that I've completed the first draft of my second middle grade novel, Fiona and the Water Horse, which is book two in my Magical Pony School series. Now it gets to sit for a couple of weeks at which point I'll return to it, weave any loose threads in, add anything I forgot or that comes to me between now and then, and after that I'll send it to three Good Readers, who will give me some feedback. Cover design, a final edit, and it will be published just in time for the spring equinox, which is when this book takes place. Meanwhile, everyone at November Hill has struggled on without me. Although they all sound quite fine when I check in by telephone! I'm sure there's a way to add images from my iPad but at the moment I can't figure it out. I've been adding them to Facebook all week, so come visit me there if you want to see some of the photos. Our writers' rooms have all been spruced up since we were here last, and we've had some ghost activity. Par for the course here at the Magic Mansion. Tomorrow I'll be heading home, with a stop by two feed stores for a couple of things we need. Can't wait to see the entire November Hill crew, human and animal alike. I suspect tomorrow night will find me watching however many Downton Abbey episodes there are by now in season 2, surrounded by cats, Corgis, equines (outside my window) and the human family. That's when I'll know I'm home again. And.. almost forgot! I will be publishing a "Billie Hinton short" just in time for Valentine's Day this year - a fun and whimsical celebration of love and celosia called PASSION FLOWERS AND ITALIANS. It will be free on Valentine's Day on Amazon.

11 comments:

billie said...

Sorry for the lack of indents in this post - very weird formatting on the iPad and now I can't get the edit feature to work. Back to usual here tomorrow!!

Calm, Forward, Straight said...

Welcome back - sounds like you made good use of the retreat time. Very productive. I'm sure everyone is glad to have you home again. :)

I'm addicted to Downton Abbey too!

Grey Horse Matters said...

Sounds like fun and a lot of work too. Bet all the November Hill gang will be thrilled to see you!

billie said...

Not back yet! Tomorrow... :)

billie said...

It's been a wonderful week with three other women writers who are all talented and great company. Couldn't be luckier in terms of places to write and writers to spend time with!

Matthew said...

I am so excited to hear of all the work you did at Weymouth.

Máire said...

Your writers' retreats always sound wonderful. When you have watched series 2 (which I think became slightly ridiculous at times) do watch the Christmas special. It more than made up for the worst excesses in writing of series 2!

billie said...

Matthew, more to do, but it was good to make definitive progress.

billie said...

Maire, we're behind you all in what we can get - right now we can get up to episode 4 in season 2. When was the Christmas special? After season 2?

I'm starved for it so not really able to critique it at this point! :)

Máire said...

It aired on Christmas day at 9pm (our time). And it continued the story lines of season 2. Very satisfactory! Of course it was viewed after a joyful, well-fed and wined day.

billie said...

Maire, we just got through episode 4 and I am beginning to see what you meant about the writing. It's getting a little over the top at points.

Wonder when we will get the Christmas special here?