Many cups of tea

It's been ages since I last posted here. But I did write a post not long ago for the lovely and talented Louise Allan, whose novel The Sisters' Song comes out in January next year (go here to read about her upcoming book!). So what have I been doing? Well, writing, whenever I can. Plunking away at the keyboard. Patting the dog with my foot while I type. Eating too many snacks. In August I went to the Melbourne Writers Festival and met Joyce Carol Oates. Yes, okay, it was just at a signing of her latest novel, A Book of American Martyrs, but still. It was incredibly exciting. She asked me 'And Fiona, what do you do?' - like we were at a party or something - and I rambled like I'd had seven beers and a tequila slammer, before collecting myself and moving on.I've also been receiving emails. "Thank you for your submission, The Brussel Sprout Queen. We enjoyed reading it but unfortunately it's a bit crap. We'd be happy to read further stories, but only if they're much much better. Sincerely, The Editors."I've had several of these in a row. Another writing friend says 'Oh, it's just a dry spell, I once had a dry spell for two years.' And I shiver and want to tell her 'No, no you didn't. You must be mistaken. 'But Onwards! I say and I make some tea. I know there's nothing for it but to keep writing. And so I do.