It’s late afternoon of New Year’s Eve and already I’m drinking shandy. For the non-Australians who may be reading this, shandy is a hideous girl drink: half beer, half lemonade. Any fair dinkum Aussie bloke caught quaffing it would be routinely kicked to death by passers by.
Got down 3,000 words yesterday. Only 1,500 today plus a swag of Cosmos rejections. Cleaned the house in preparation for our annual dinner with
Three funerals aside, 2010 was harsh, but fair in most respects. Spent most of it slaving over a hot keyboard and I expect next year to bring more of the same. I reckon I’ve hit the sweet spot with my prose. Now all I gotta do is keep at it. I’m looking forward to my week away with FWOR. Yes, that’s pronounced FWWWOOORRRR!!!, like a yobbo oggling a shiela’s bum. It stands for Fantasy Writers on Retreat. This time round we’re off to a house in Oberon called STONEHEDGE. I’ve packed my druid robes and beard, a barrel of mead and a truckload of kooky amulets. Plus the ping pong bats and balls, of course. It’s time for the annual rematch with my arch nemesis Russell Kirkpatrick, known to many as a mild mannered New Zealand fantasy author, but to me he’s the guy whose champion ping pong days are numbered…
My goals for the year? Knock off two books. Start a third. A couple of sekrit projects. Less drinking, more thinking. The usual playlist.
Have a fabulous New Year’s Eve, everybody, wherever you may be.
12 Comments
I have a soft spot for the old shandy. It’s a real summer drink. 😎
it is indeed!
Happy New Year to you and Rob (and David and Kyla)
We’re watching the Edinburgh Tattoo and trying to make it to midnight conscious.
It’s weird to think you’ve already celebrated the new year in Australia while it’s still New Year’s Eve morning here. Any advice on 2011 from the future?
yeah. Don’t eat too much fruitcake.
Damn. I was hoping for stock tips or lottery numbers.
better luck next year…
And you!
Am thinking – may be open to bribery to shackle Russell…
I don’t need no shacking. I am gonna win by RAW TALENT
Well, the offer’s there if needed 🙂
I have some European friends up here who love a good shandy – the reaction of bar staff to their order still cracks me up!