I don't have much news, having been very busy with work at Curtin University, and struggling with my latest novel. Sometimes writing seems to flow in just the way one wants, at other times it just doesn't seem to work. I've been stuck in one of those times but fortunately I think I may now have broken through. Things seem to be falling into place and I'm making progress again. I hope this means that the book will be finished in time for release next year.
At the end of the university semester I spent a few days in Albany, which is such a wonderful environment for creativity, and for leisure. It is one of my favourite places and I always come home feeling relaxed, refreshed and energetic. Apart from the spectacular scenery, which you can see from this photograph taken between Albany and nearby Middleton Beach, the air from the Southern Ocean always seem so fresh and envigorating.
Middleton is my favourite beach in the area for both walking and swimming, and is at its best, I think,early in the morning or at sunset. I wrote a little about Albany in Belly Dancing for Beginners.
The end of semester has given me a little time to catch up on reading and my favourite book for a very long time is Joan London's The Good Parents. Joan is a West Australian writer and parts of this book are set in Perth in the sixties and in the wheat belt. I really loved The Good Parents, it's a story that is truly enthralling in its portrayal of the lives of the characters. I also very much enjoyed Sorry by Gail Jones, a story of friendship, loyalty and sacrifice which is deeply moving.
Right now, because I'm going to Paris in September, I'm about to start The Seven Ages of Paris by Alistair Horne. One reviewer describes it as 'like taking an exciting trip in a French balloon', so I'm really looking forward to this. I lived in Paris for a year when I was nineteen and have only been back for two very short visits since then, so I am very excited about seeing the city again.
Thanks so much to everyone who's written to me recenty. I'm so glad you are enjoying Trip of a Lifetime and the other books, and I very much enjoy hearing from you. I try to get back to everyone as soon as I can, so if I haven't got back to you yet I promise a message will be coming soon. And I'll try to make sure that I don't leave it so long before I update this blog again.















