A Blog Post Desperately Trying to Masquerade As an Alternative Christmas Message.

So, the season is well and truly upon us and I am, as ever, trying to think of something festive and yet original to say. And, naturally, failing abysmally. I mean, what can you say? It’s “Christmas”—and whatever form your celebrations may or may not take at this time of year, you can bet your bottom dollar that the hackneyed seasonal wishes and blessings have already been dished out aplenty and it’s all, quite possibly, already starting to sound just a little bit hollow.

Nonetheless, I think to not say something—to not look back and assess and analyse, at least to a degree—would be to waste an opportunity. And, so …

The past year has been a thankfully productive one for me. After a bumpy beginning to the year with a project that wasn’t quite what I was looking for, I settled upon a novel called Juniper Faraday and finally finished the first draft a few short weeks ago. Juniper Faraday (which may end up being called The Juniper Faraday Project) is, again, quite unlike anything I’ve written before. As I believe I may have already have said in a recent post, I was concerned that it would not come up to the level of The Legacy of Lorna Lovelost. I don’t think I needed to worry: the two are quite, quite different and, I believe, achieve what they were meant to achieve in their own individual ways. As they should.

From a creative point of view, I’ve also learned quite a lot. Primarily, I’ve once more come to realise that if I can’t trust myself as a writer, it’s a pretty rum deal. The opinions of other people are always welcomed and valued—but once again it has become clear to me that, as arrogant as it may seem, I do know damn sight more than many who claim to be “experts” out there. I’ve had over twenty-five years experience of writing and “working” on the fringes of the industry and while I would never claim to know everything, and relish the thought of working with a good editor, I will not let those with less experience dictate what I do or do not put out there. My decision to self publish Children of the Resolution and the customer reviews it has so far received proves, I think, my point.

My health and that of those closest to me has held out and there have been no significant setbacks. I’ve met some wonderful people, remained friends with many more, dumped a little deadwood and I’m looking forward to another creative and productive year in 2013.

So what do the next twelve months have in store? Well, essentially more of the same (random events allowing). After Christmas I will be working with Gudrun Jobst again on the cover for The Legacy of Lorna Lovelost (something I’m really looking forward to) and then prepublication copies of the novel will be getting printed ready to go out to reviewers. The publication of the novel itself is pencilled in for some time in October. Keep checking back here for updates.

This aside, the early part of the year will see me editing/rewriting Juniper Faraday and outlining/researching my next fairly major project—tentatively titled The Architect (though I may return to my earlier title of The Wisdom of Closed Worlds). Having a few novels backlogged for publication, I’m allowing myself more time than usual to work on this latter piece. Touching upon themes relating to identity perception, with special emphasis on people with disabilities, I nonetheless intend it to be a multilayered, tragicomic thriller—replete with psychics and serial killers.

And so it only remains for me to thank you all for the support you’ve shown over the past twelve months. Your considered feedback has, as always, helped immensely.

Have a wonderful and safe Christmas and a very happy New Year.

(And don’t forget! If you’re looking for last-minute gifts, for Kindle or in paperback, pop by here and see if anything takes your fancy. Thank you!)

© 2012 Gary William Murning

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