The ups, the downs and the happy endings...

​We have all heard about "that difficult second book" ...so I thought it was about time I updated you all on mine.
The truth ? I haven't blogged for so very long because - well; it's been...difficult!
I know, I know. I don't want to churn clichés any more than you want to read them. I want it to be all puppies and birdsong and bestseller lists.  Come to think of it, I probably shouldn't be so darn honest here but -hey, we are all in this together.
So the truth is I had a little hiccup when I couldn't work on my edits because my lovely UK editor had to have some time off. Not her fault. She really is lovely. Life just happened.
The only problem for me?  I am also under contract to deliver this same script ready for translation to my German publisher...who has (not surprisingly) been asking when exactly it will be turning up?
 
It was getting to the point where I thought I might have to leave the country or stop answering the phone (Author? Deadline? I  have no idea what you're talking about. Wrong number.  Sorry. Goodbye…). 
 
In the midst of all this the darling husband was wandering around saying helpful things like – but I thought it was your dream to be published….Why are you so stressed?
 
And then all of a sudden the clouds parted. In came the second edit notes. Hallelujah! I open them, relieved and beaming…to find that my editor has a spectacular suggestion….of restructuring the whole story.
Really? Like – you mean; complete restructuring? No. You're right. In fact it’s a brilliant idea.  Genius. Absolutely. I'm on it… 
 
Cue feral domestic life (again!), much frantic late night working to get the script in by Xmas...so that Germany will get it on time too and I can open my emails again.
 
Blogging? Are you understanding now? Sorry. Really sorry…
 
But the terrific postscript news is I have somehow not only survived this  ‘second novel ‘ rollercoaster but am actually loving the book in its new shape (memo to new writers; editors really are fabulous...always listen). New version goes into my UK publisher  this week…and ssshh, whisper this,  but we have a fabulous new title to share very soon too.
 
I am meantime also delighted to see that hardback sales of my debut's beautiful German edition look strong for Christmas - not surprising as it is quite delicious with gold paper front and back plates and a cover worth stroking..(though I may have mentioned this a few times before).
So, all in all, I am slowly moving from dramaqueen/ stress to excitement all over again. More news on pub date and second novel cover reveal coming up. Watch this space!
 
For now - enjoy your own writing and have yourselves…..a very Merry Christmas!  

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