It’s been a tumultuous year but one I’ll look back on with heaps of good memories. If I had to pick three highlights of 2011, they would be:

1. Getting in to the One Book Many Brisbanes anthology.

2. Settling into my first house. (I’m still trying to erase the misery of buying the house from my mind.)

3. Walking a tiger for my birthday. Here’s the proof.

Well, walking is a strong word. It was a hot day and the lovely 4yo, Kaitlyn, felt like lying down in the grass rather than walking which gave me more time to chill out with her at Australia Zoo.

But enough about me. Christmas is almost here, and it’s the season for giveaways!

I’ll be giving away two copies of the One Book Many Brisbanes anthology on my blog.

If you would like to put your name in the hat (yep, I’m old fashioned like that), tell me one of your 2011 highlights in the comments section. The giveaway is only open to those with an Australian mailing address. (Sorry to those from far-off places!)

Get in quick. I’ll be closing the freebie draw at midnight on 18 December so I can mail the books out before Christmas. (Fingers crossed.) I’ll update this post when the winners have been announced.

If I don’t hear from you, then I wish you a lazy, fun-filled Christmas and a peaceful beginning to 2012. xo

**UPDATE: Well, I put the names in my straw summer hat and asked the boy to draw out two lucky winners. Congratulations to Lynn Priestley and Sara M! Email me your postal addresses for your copy of the One Book Many Brisbanes 6 anthology.**

This is an insight into my YA manuscript, Fake.

Please know that none of these pictures are mine. I’m just using them for inspiration. Most of the cool ones I found on vi.sualize.us.

I mean, if signing up for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month for those of you who live under a rock, and strangely still have great internet access) wasn’t crazy enough, here’s why I’m going to end up in a straitjacket by 30 November.

Reason #1: I’ve spent all of October buying a house. The paperwork, stress and moving will continue to haunt me all the way through November.

Reason #2: Not only do all the end of year gatherings begin in November, but a particular day within the month also marks the undeniable fact that I am getting older. As I’m in my twenties, most people roll their eyes at my pre-birthday panic attacks. The smart ones remember that I’m a scorpio star-sign and back away wearing full body armour. Wise move.

Reason #3: I have been so preoccupied with the house buying saga (oh yeah, it’s been a saga) that I haven’t had the time to prepare my NaNoWriMo project properly.

“So”, you say, “Why do NaNoWriMo this year when your sanity is clinging on to the cliff edge with it’s ragged, bloody fingernails?”

I say, “Do you think my sanity has fingernails?” And then I say, “Because I have to finish this year with something positive.”

And I do. After all the madness I’ve been through this year, I’m taking on NaNoWriMo as my chance to nourish my creativity, my confidence, and perhaps my sanity that seems to have fingernails.

Mostly, I’ll be working on a new contemporary YA novel set on the Gold Coast, which I will tell you about a little more in my next post. Though, when the writing is hard or moving house is giving me nightmares, I have a few short stories that I’ll be playing with as well.

If you’re doing NaNoWriMo as well, let me know in the comments section below. Otherwise, once the buddies section of the NaNoWriMo website is up-and-running, friend me and we can keep track of each other’s word counts, frustrations and successes.

For those of you who may be looking for me on the NaNoWriMo website, my user name is Kathleen Noud. (Awesome, right? Sometimes, my creativity has no bounds!)

Best of luck to all the Wrimo’s out there this year!

For a few months, all I want to write is comedy. I’m sick of taking everything so seriously and I’ve made an ass of myself enough that I’m pretty good at seeing the funny side of things. Sometimes, it’s a great idea that’s pulling at me and other times I’m so sick of everything feeling like doom and gloom that I just want to laugh and feel good again.

Then I change direction completely. I want to be drawn to something darker. Something that makes me feel okay because, sure, my life has taken a tumble but I’m not the only one. Something that doesn’t make life sound like it’s all sun showers, ponies and glitter nail polish.

(Aside: Can you imagine what’s it’s like in my head? I have to live with this. It’s ridiculous.)

So my stories grow into two categories. They are light and shadow. Ideally, my favourite stories are ones that make me laugh and cry. The ones that rip your heart out and piece it back together just a little bit differently than before. But some stories don’t fit into both categories.

For some reason this year, I’ve been hounding myself thinking, ‘When am I going to settle into writing a type of book?’

It’s only recently that I’ve thought, ‘Well, that’s a stupid question. Why do I have to settle at all?’

I’d say I’m both light and shadow, but that would make me sound like a total wanker. So I’ll say that sometimes my life is a RomCom (not a shitty Katherine Heigl one) and other days my life feels like a Drama (occasionally verging on Shakespearean tragedy). So I like both kinds of stories and I’ll write both.

Admittedly, most of my stories have a sense of darkness around them. I’m okay with that too. Certain parts of me will always come through my writing in one disguised form or another. I just don’t feel like I need to box up my creativity anymore than that. And I’m surprised that I hadn’t figured that out sooner.

Before this, I had heaps of questions that I couldn’t find answers to. What kind of questions were they going to ask? Should I bring other examples with me? So, I thought I could tell you about my experiences in hope that it helps you along the way.

Every meeting will be different, so prepare as if you are going to run your fifteen minute appointment. Know how you would pitch your story. Consider how you would pitch yourself and your background. Think of the relationship that ties you to your story, like how did you discovered the idea or how your day job lends authority to the story.

You might want to write notes down and practise talking them through. Or maybe you want to go for a walk with your writing buddy and talk out your pitch. Pitching your story to a publisher isn’t that much different to how you would have first described the project to your writing buddy. If you’re like me, then you’re better just knowing your work inside out so you can ad-lib. I think it’s more honest and personable, which is what you want to aim for.

As for written preparation, I was guided by my wonderful friend (and CYA co-ordinator) Tina Marie Clark who suggested to bring in a page of short pitches for other w-i-p’s. I prepared what ended up being a two-page document with my photo and contact details, a bulleted list of my projects and their blurbs (approx 150w each) in case they sparked any interest.

This was a great idea and something I will continue to do. If a publisher is interested in your story, then they’ll definitely be interested in knowing you’re working on others. Conversely, if the publisher likes your writing but not your w-i-p, they have the opportunity to see if you’re working on something that catches their attention. Obviously, don’t shove this in their face. Ask them if they’re interested and they’ll tell you.

I could go on forever, but I’ll finish with this. Don’t go into it thinking, ‘Will they sign me up on the spot because I am so damn fabulous?’. It’s about relationship building and gaining direction. If you come out of your meeting with a little more insight than before, then you’ve won.

When I graduated, I swore that I would never look back and I had stuck to my plan over the following years too. I refused to go to my school reunion (even after a certain friend broke our ‘Romy and Michele‘ pact and helped organise it!). I had also (mostly) fallen under the radar on the book-of-face, so even cyber-reunions were rare.

I clearly remember myself at the end of grade twelve, believing that in 10 years time I would be living in a cool flat in LA  while I was working towards becoming a famous actress. (Actually, I’m pretty sure that I had planned to be rich and famous by then. Hey. These things take time, you know?)

But then I got into the One Book Many Brisbanes 6 anthology, and who was on the list of winners but a girl I graduated from high school with. It was Natalie Repetto who dobbed us both into the school, which led to our role as guest speakers in the book week assembly.

I always enjoy talking about writing, especially with school students as most of my stories are written for their age group. I also like demystifying the process as well. Like you don’t have to be the top of your English class to become a writer or that just because you’re a writer doesn’t mean you don’t have a day job. I think it’s only fair to the students considering a similar path to mine.

I also had a few realisations while I was there. Nothing profound. Just weird little things that made me realise my memories of school were just that rather than hard facts. These were things like:

1. My school was tiny. I knew this at the time, but from the stage all I could notice was the big gap at the back of the hall where I’m sure I used to sit.

2. I was tiny. I was always in the same spot in primary and high school photographs – seated first row, either second or third shortest in the grade. But I’m sure when I looked in the mirror I looked like a sophisticated woman – not like a baby-faced, slightly-older version of me!

3. I used to think all those guest speakers were full-on adults. Some of them probably were, but judging from the reaction from the girls when they realised I graduated in 2000 they’re probably weren’t. (Apparently, Backstreet Boys are retro now. Hilarious.)

4. I used to think all those guest speakers were fairly old. I’d like to retract that statement now. Whole-heartedly.

Of course that’s not how it works, is it? It’s a hard slog to turn a good idea into a worthy manuscript and it’s definitely a lesson in patience to search for the publisher or agent that is as passionate about your story as you are.

Patience is not my forte (though I’m pretty good at faking it now), but story telling is. It was when I needed some time away from that ‘first’ book that I discovered how much fun it is to play with multiple projects.

It means that throughout the whole process of redrafting, editing and submitting I can also make progress on other projects. Sometimes I’ve wanted to try a different style or genre but usually I’m swept away by a morsel of a story that won’t let me go until I write it.

Now, I try to make sure every first draft I work on has at least three months to sit in a drawer. (It’s usually more like six months.) It gives me a time out to develop the perspective and motivation I’ll need when it’s time to edit. But also, it’s because I enjoy flipping between different worlds and characters,  and changing pace between scribbling out first drafts and glaring at the computer screen during my many rounds of edits.

I’m really excited to have multiple projects, especially now that two of those manuscripts are drawing closer to their final round edits. On good days, just having so many stories makes me more creative and motivated. And on the bad days, having those half-finished or unedited manuscripts reminds me that I’ve been through the process before and I can do it again.

Reality throws us so many distractions with work, family and all of our goals and dreams end up sandwiched somewhere in-between. Trying to be amazing at everything always ends up getting the better of us and we don’t tend to notice until we’re struggling with insomnia or just left feeling flat and uninspired.

I find that it’s usually not a matter of finding the time to write, but finding the brain space to be creative again. Sometimes, there’s so much information running through my head that I miss out on my daydreaming and creative thought for days at a time. I end up feeling boxed-in and I know I need some down time to get my creativity back, or even better, a retreat.

So I’ve extended my weekend and starting from Friday, I’m diving down the rabbit hole to give my creativity a workout. I’ve been preparing all week by catching up on sleep, exercise and tackling my bedside reading pile. I’m de-cluttering and putting together what I want to work on this weekend.

I have an idea of what I’d like to achieve but more than anything, I want to devote myself to a fully creative weekend. I’m not worried if I spend the whole time going through my drawing books (yes, I’m slowly teaching myself), playing with new story ideas or editing one of my manuscripts.

The idea came from the Queensland Writers Centre via their Facebook page. (No, I haven’t registered but yes, I’m doing it.) If you can’t join in this weekend, then have a look at your calendar and see when you can make that commitment to give reality the flick. Sometimes all you need is a long weekend for you and your art.

It was a surreal experience for many of us, milling about with the book finally in our hands and wearing name tags that declared us as ‘winning authors’. We caught up with each other for the first time since the masterclass, checking that we were all still writing and introducing family and friends as it finally dawned on us that this was our book launch.

After a welcome speech by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, we had our fair share of mingling and photo opportunities before being ushered to the signing tables. It was great fun to have all of us sitting side-by-side at a row of tables that lined one side of the room and around the corner, passing books along like a conveyor belt until all of our signatures were on each requested copy.

I don’t think any of us had even thought about signatures until then but I guarantee, we will all have better ones next time!

The One Book Many Brisbanes competition was something that I had always wanted to enter and I’m glad that I did before it was too late. It’s disappointing to learn that the program will now be put on hold; something which I only discovered from reading the news from SMH and Brisbane Times. Many programs are being cut in Brisbane due to the cost of the flood, but our arts programs always seem to be the first to go (although, I’m sure everyone says that about what they’re most passionate about).

It’s a lesson for any writers out there who are dreaming of entering a specific competition or attending a certain event; go for it now as it may not be around later on.

For those who are keen to read the  One Book Many Brisbanes 6 edition, you can borrow the book or buy one from the Brisbane City Council libraries. Otherwise the pdf versions of all the stories are available on the council website with a great set of discussion questions for readers.

Many thanks again to the wonderful Queensland Writers Centre and Brisbane City Council for the opportunity.

Last month I changed jobs, saying farewell to part-time hours and moving back to full-time work. It felt like the right time to return to the Monday to Friday routine and I have a few goals that require better finances to turn them into a reality. My new job is a great opportunity where I get to interact with creative and passionate people and develop my writing skills. I draft newsletters and update web content for various clients, proofread marketing materials and write communications plans for using social media.

Of course, all this change has also meant an overhaul in my writing habits and routine. Even after a month, I’m still learning how to kick-start my brain after doing my corporate writing all day and some nights I struggle to ‘switch off’ so that I can sleep and recharge. I’m learning though and I’m starting to gain momentum again.

If anyone else is in a similar situation, these are a few ideas to re-create your writing routine:

1. Submit your writing (but only if you have something ready). Sometimes just dropping your manuscript in the post will give you the momentum to get back to a daily routine. It’s a really positive action and a good reminder that you’ve written a short story or manuscript before and you can do it again.

2. Set a timeframe (even if it doesn’t feel right at first). Over the last few weeks, I’ve made 8.30 – 10.30pm my writing time. It’s not my most productive time to write and I might eventually try writing in the early mornings (Ugh. Early mornings.) but it’s helping me make writing a daily activity again and keeps my projects fresh in my mind.

3. Have a plan B in case your brain cells won’t kick in. I have two projects on-the-go at the moment. One is in the editing stages and the other is in the early research and planning stages. Some nights I’ve wanted to edit but my brain can’t handle more than googling interesting and gruesome facts about Ancient Egypt and Rome. It’s my plan B. While I’m adjusting to my new routine, I’m trying to be flexible with my writing goals and be willing to make progress any way I can.

4. Exercise. I haven’t been exercising lately and I’m regretting it now.  Regular exercise will keep your ‘computer posture’ in check and is the best stress relief while you’re adjusting to your busier life.

So to all my poor friends that I’ve been neglecting lately, I’ve almost got my routine sorted out and I hope to be catching-up with you soon. To those writers who are re-assessing their writing habits, I wish you the best of luck with your new routine.