Happy New Year!!
It’s been three months since I posted an update. I’ve been busy and absent, with a month in Japan, the usual silly season, and we have a new furry family member. So, finally, half way through the first month I have the opportunity to sit, think, and write.
My month in Japan was extremely productive. Apart from our usual fun and frivolity, I spent a good deal of time literally searching for my next story. I had an idea of what it would be about, but nothing concrete. It was a strange experience, visiting places alone, unsure of why I was there. However, after a week of what felt like aimless wandering, my story fell into my lap while I was eating breakfast; almost fully formed, and full of inspiration and excitement. I came home with a project, a goal, and a fire in my belly.
I received my manuscript assessment for You Can’t Say That from editor extraordinaire, Julie Athanasiou, before we left for Japan. The edits were few, and are waiting patiently for me to get back into my writing habit to be resolved. Then, it’ll be time to search for an agent and/or a publisher. This is both exciting and completely overwhelming, but I’m ready to face the rejections and learn from the experience.
Last week Stu and I stole a day and went to Cape Woolamai. It was 30℃ and sunny, and his holidays were coming to an end. He wanted to visit his favourite beach. A place that fills his cup and feeds his soul. We spent most of the day walking on the beach, talking, planning, daydreaming. As I was walking I had a visceral urge to visit Smith’s Beach. Just a few coves around the bend, Smith’s is where I scattered Michael’s ashes nine years ago, tomorrow. I needed to speak to him. That may sound odd, but it felt urgent.
We walked onto Smith’s and Stu, always thoughtful and generous, told me to take my time and walked toward the rock pools. I walked into the water, sensing the lapping waves as Michael’s watery embrace. I asked him if he was ok with me sharing our story. There was no response. But I get a sense that he has helped me write the story for the last two years, and if he objected, I wouldn’t have had all those silly visuals pop into my head, randomly trying to lighten my mood while I drudged through the despair that was our reality, spinning it into a coherent narrative. It’s helpful to have a place to visit in order to feel connected.
So, I’m trying to get back into my writing groove, and it’s slowly coming. My biggest obstacle at the moment is definitely our new kitten, Genji. We rescued Genji mid December, and he is a soft, fluffy little ball of naughtiness and adventure. I’m completely besotted with him. So are the kids, Stu, and even Loki-san, my beloved Moodle, who is the best big fur brother ever! They wrestle, chase each other around, and insist on eating the same thing, at the same time. Sometimes cat food, sometimes dog food. They are super cute together. It seems their favourite thing to do during the day is to lay, snuggled up together, near or under my desk as I write. So, although he is a distraction, he will probably also be good influence on me getting my butt into the chair.
Kylie Eklund-Denman 