Banquo's Son Shortlisted for the NZ Post Children's Book Awards

Wahoooooo. What an absolute thrill to receive this nomination. I am in excellent company and I am delighted to get the nod.
The other finalists in my category are:
My buddy Brian Falkner for Brainjack



My dear friend and mentor, Fleur Beale for End of the Alphabet

Mandy Hager, for The Crossing

And, finally, Lia Hills The Beginner's Guide to Living

A strong race if I do say so myself. I loved reading my fellow nominees' books. Let the fun times begin.

For details of all the finalists, go here,

Bloodlines - third draft

I have a deadline of the 1st of April - my dear agent negotiated an extension to have this date, thank goodness, because I doubt I would have been able to meet the 1st of March (which was yesterday, New Zealand time).

I still have about 40,000 words to write in less than three and a half weeks.

you see, I'm sure you've figured it out, I teach FULL TIME in a secondary school (which I do not begrudge - I love my job!).

This is currently my life: up at 4 or 5 am and write for an hour or two; be mummy between 7am and 8:30am; be teacher extraordinaire between 8:30 and 4pm; mummy again till after dinner and, sometimes, if I'm not knackered, I might write again.

The response to the early draft of this book has been doubled edged: it is better by far, the critics say BUT you have a lot of work to do, they add.

And, I do.

Don't get me started on the whole historical accuracy thing. I have spent hours and hours trawling through books on early medieval life. You would not believe what I have learned about these amazing people.

Anyway, the story of my man Fleance and his quest for happiness continues and, dear reader, it will all be worth the angst - this author promises.

ouch!ouch!tsk!

Have spent the day going through the 'comments/edits' of the babes!

Arrrghhh. They are SO GOOD at spotting inconsistencies.

Anyway, I am very glad to have them on my team because I know their suggestions will make the story better but (Tania slams fist into her forehead) I wish I knew that stuff already.

I think it is interesting that they pick the holes I knew were there

A window in my editing phrase

I wrote a few days ago on my FaceBook status update that going through the edits of ones manuscript is about as painful as trying to clean the gunk from ones shower. However, I am being unfair to my friend, Jo, who has willingly and (she told me) at times joyfully read the first 107 pages of Bloodlines.

Not only does Jo show me the error of my ways, she also puts in lots of positive affirmation (in the form of smiley faces). I thought I’d share with you some of her comments – I hope they make you smile as they have me:

‘Trickling is better; babies dribble’
‘Its – you can’t be sure of its gender’ (I was talking about a rat)
‘Too many buts!’
‘Candles too dim for sewing!’
‘No one sews at midnight – too dark – and in a nightgown out of bed in Scotland, in Oct! too cold!’
‘This is brilliant!’
‘When did he get it out?’ (Henri’s knife)
‘Nice irony.’
‘You need to get him from the stairs to the hall.’
‘Won’t he offer some to poor Rosie? She’s cold, hungry, thirsty…’ (oops – Flea forget his manners)
‘No! Think of Othello! Lady Macduff.’
‘Different adjective now? This is no. 3’
‘Transubstantiation from wine to posset! Call continuity and complain.’
‘Please, can Fleance have a drink too?’

Of course, this won’t make sense to you and it’s only a small piece of the notes and corrections and questions and requests but I hope it makes you wonder what I've written, what the characters are up to and what will it turn out like in the end.