Sep 11, 2015

The Blank Page

Two weeks ago I blogged about getting organised for conference and other things that were going on in my life, including how my muse had taken a hike. Well, the muse is on a darned long trip because it still hasn't returned, and I'm getting a wee bit annoyed with it.

Conference was fabulous. I had a lot of fun catching with writing friends that I've come to know and love over the last few years. When writers get together it's as though we're making up for all those hundreds of hours we spend in solitary confinement writing our stories. Talk, talk, talk. Oh, and laugh, laugh, laugh.
My roomie, Lovecat Louisa George, and I talked to all hours of the morning after the cocktail party, and I'd thought I was falling asleep on my feet before then.

And then there was the Awards Dinner. How exciting that was. Seeing the joy on the winner's faces was fabulous. Then they announced the Koru winners and I know my face was split in two. Wow. Winning the Short, Sweet category with A Family This Christmas blew me away.
Right up there with me winning the Short, Sexy award was our lovely cat, Yvonne Lindsay. What a night.


















Then this lovely surprise package arrived in the mailbox this week as a congratulations present.

 

You'd think after all that excitement the muse would've come home. But nah, not a peep.
All I have is a blank page staring back at me. I keep reminding myself that A Family This Christmas started with a blank page too, but it didn't last past a few hours. This is weeks now. I've tried tempting it with chocolate, with wine, with walks, and now I see it's going to take plain old butt-on-seat-and-do-not-move until words start appearing on that page.

So I'm off to the cave, a mug of tea in one hand, and my fingers crossed on the other. I have a muse to wrestle with. And next year's conference to look forward to. I wonder if we could have them every six months. I miss my writing friends in between.

Do you have a special event to look forward to every year?

 

17 comments:

  1. How gorgeous to receive champagne in the mail. Was that from your editor? You lucky thing, you!

    Sometimes I think that the harder a book is to write, or start, the better the story is going to be. Of course that doesn't make it any easier, but that's process for you.

    Cheers and congratulations again on your well deserved win, Sue!

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  2. Yes, Yvonne, the bubbles were from my editor. And thank you for your congrats. I like what you're saying about the harder the book to write the better the story. I know it's often true so here's hoping. :)

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  3. It's so lovely the London office acknowledge your achievements this way!!

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  4. So excited about your win, Sue. Congratulations!

    Ah, that blank page, quite terrifying isn't it. I had the same thing recently and then locked myself away and wouldn't let myself go until I had the spark of a new story. Just trust that it will come.

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    1. Thanks, Jennifer. I'm still excited about the win.
      And thanks, for the encouragement re that blank page. I know it's coming, just wish the words would hurry up. Probably should start another big project and then I won't have time to write. That'll make it happen. :)

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  5. Huge congrats Sue on your win and so glad you had a lot of fun at the conference I enjoy the RWA conferences here in Australia as well although I don't always make to them all the ones I get to I have a blast and then we have the ARRA conventions every two years and WOW what fun they are and I have not missed one of those and at the end of October I am off to a writers festival in Jindabyne for the weekend and there are going to be lots of romance writers ther waving Hi to Amy :) I am looking forward to that one

    Hers hoping the muse is back soon

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. thank you, Helen. I was sorry to miss the Australian conference this year, but a wee granddaughter's arrival was more important.
      Have fun at Jindabyne. It's always great getting together with like-minded people.

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  6. Oh, Sue, CONGRATULATIONS on the Koru!!! That is just fabulous. Well done.

    Maybe muses need holidays, like we do. Yours is probably off collecting all sorts of amazing stories, and will come home so hyped your fingers won't be able to keep up!

    I'm so pleased for your win!

    Cath xoxo

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    1. Cath, thank you so much. AND I really hope you're right about my muse. I am so missing it.

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  7. Wonderful news about your win, Sue! Congratulations again...and enjoy those bubbles. :-)

    And good luck with the blank page. You know, sometimes I find it worthwhile taking paper and pen outside to play the "what if" game in the sunshine, or going to a cafe and jotting down as many cute-meet scenarios or reasons for throwing a hero and heroine as I can think while sipping a latte. I find chocolate a good antidote too. ;-)

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  8. Eating chocolate now while reading your comments. Thank you for those suggestions. I will put them into use over the next few days. I did go for my usual walk today and came home with some ideas. walking has always been my best time to come up with story ideas.

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  9. Congrats again on the award, Sue. Conference season is the highlight of my year, always! Am thinking of heading across the ditch to the NZ one next year....

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    1. Going to hold you to that, Amy. We love having you here. And you did comment on the size of that wine glass.

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  10. Woohoo! Sue, huge congratulations on your Koru! And it's such a gorgeous looking award too! I hope it's got you motivated to conquer that blank page!

    I look forward to an opportunity to run away from home and get on the road for some exploring - and that exactly where I am at the moment which is a treat. It's an extra treat when I get to combine it with a conference to catch up with everyone!

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    1. Yes, Sharon, I agree, conference and getting away all in one is perfect. Then you add in exploring which must be fun.

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