looking forward and further forward

Right now (apart from finishing off the marking of the large pile of NCEA internals and Y9 Film reviews and attending to family matters) I’m gearing up for the launch of Bloodlines.

Tis a strange thing to be buffeted by three winds: those who have just read (or recently read) Banquo’s Son and want to talk about it; those who read it last year and are dying to get their hands on a copy of Bloodlines and, the nudging I’m getting from my publisher to keep going with Birthright.

The story of Bloodlines is, for me personally, in the past. I’ve lived it this past year and suffered with my characters and laughed with them too. But, my heart and imagination is now firmly captured by book three.

Though I might appear to be operating quite normally in the 21st Century, every now and then I see, in my mind’s eye, the banquet hall of Glamis castle: filled with distinguished guests, smoke from the torches, the smell of delicious food and something else (?) sweat, soil, damp…? And the sounds of the rush of a castle tending to the needs of its royal guests.

And, admist all that I sense some shadowy players. Those who are mingling in this room who wish ill on our boy. Like Fleance, I know and feel safe with Blair and Rosie and Rachel and Henri (whom the world is yet to meet) and Charissa – even Bree. But, something is lurking and I haven’t yet nailed it.

This first chapter is crucial and I want to ensure that I set the scene perfectly.
I look forward to the world’s reaction to Bloodlines. I have enjoyed reading it again as a reader but its onward for me to ensure that the finale is AMAZINGLY fantastic.