The past month has flown by! Between COVID, a solo writing retreat, finishing a new manuscript (hurray—and more on that further down!) one of my daughters having her first round of Year 11 exams and my other daughter coming in from Sydney for a couple of soul-restoring visits, we’ve somehow hit the midpoint of the year.
Just wanted to say “yes” to playing Mahjong - I’m playing on my mothers ivory set, which was her mothers. I play monthly with 4 girlfriends as a way to keeping in regular contact after our youngest children left primary school for different high schools. We go away together twice a year and pack the mahjong (and great food and wine!)
Enjoy the publicity whirl, but I know what you mean about craving the time to write when you're doing all that outward facing stuff. I hope the book flies off the shelves. xx
Hi Natasha ,it’s so lovely to hear from you again ,and sounding so refreshed. It’s obvious you needed the break from your social media commitments . Enjoy your South West retreat
I’m looking forward to Oct 19th .
We 5 friends have been playing mahjong for over 20 years and love it .
I love that you've been playing mahjong for over 20 years! I hope my friends and I are the same. And yes, looking forward to the Festival of Fiction - it should be a great day.
Oh, I love the sound of your backgammon sessions with your grandmother - and I love that she never just let you win! Okay, I'll stick with Ove a bit longer. Hopefully in next month's newsletter I'll be able to say that I loved the book after all.
I havent read "Ove" but in the summer of 2017 my debut and "Ove" spent 12 weeks battling out the numbers 1 and 2 spots in the US kindle charts so whenever I hear someone talk about it I always remember that (very wet) summer. Sending good writing wishes from someone who has also just finished a messy first draft of book 11! Xx
That's so funny about you and Ove doing battle on the charts - and two such different books too! No grumpy old men in yours! Good luck with knocking that first draft into shape!
Just wanted to say “yes” to playing Mahjong - I’m playing on my mothers ivory set, which was her mothers. I play monthly with 4 girlfriends as a way to keeping in regular contact after our youngest children left primary school for different high schools. We go away together twice a year and pack the mahjong (and great food and wine!)
I'm so craving returning to writing! I love that you have a little down time to daydream. Makes such a difference in the creative process. xo
Enjoy the publicity whirl, but I know what you mean about craving the time to write when you're doing all that outward facing stuff. I hope the book flies off the shelves. xx
Hi Natasha ,it’s so lovely to hear from you again ,and sounding so refreshed. It’s obvious you needed the break from your social media commitments . Enjoy your South West retreat
I’m looking forward to Oct 19th .
We 5 friends have been playing mahjong for over 20 years and love it .
I love that you've been playing mahjong for over 20 years! I hope my friends and I are the same. And yes, looking forward to the Festival of Fiction - it should be a great day.
Kimberley trip sounds like a winner
It will be amazing! I can't wait.
I truly love your Substack posts, Natasha. You share so much and I’m always inspired. Thank you 🙏
That's so lovely to hear - thank you for telling me that. You've made my day!
Congratulations on finishing your new draft!
I used to play Backgammon on an old leather suitcase set with my Swedish grandmother, she never let me win, she was great.
I am in awe of your scrivener systems!
Stick with Ove, he’s a redeemable curmudgeon (the Tom Hanks film is lovely too)
Oh, I love the sound of your backgammon sessions with your grandmother - and I love that she never just let you win! Okay, I'll stick with Ove a bit longer. Hopefully in next month's newsletter I'll be able to say that I loved the book after all.
I havent read "Ove" but in the summer of 2017 my debut and "Ove" spent 12 weeks battling out the numbers 1 and 2 spots in the US kindle charts so whenever I hear someone talk about it I always remember that (very wet) summer. Sending good writing wishes from someone who has also just finished a messy first draft of book 11! Xx
That's so funny about you and Ove doing battle on the charts - and two such different books too! No grumpy old men in yours! Good luck with knocking that first draft into shape!