
I did say I wouldnât post again until the novel was finished and I meant it. Itâs been a long summer of some discontent, a lot of hard work, and a gradual brightening of the light at the end of the tunnel.
And now Iâm here, out the other side. Still reluctant to use the word âfinishedâ in the same sentence as my novel, what I can say is that I have completed the most difficult draft so far. Thanks to wonderful challenging feedback from kind and generous readers, I hope Iâve managed to fix some of the weaknesses that were bogging down this manuscript.
The other good thing I discovered first thing this morning is that my blog has been shortlisted for the Irish Blog Awards, Diaspora category. Iâm thrilled to be included in this list and look forward to reading through the other blogs as soon as I finish work today. Thanks again to fellow exile Niall McArdle for nominating me and to the judges for overlooking the fact that I was on a break.
Without the distraction of blogging for the past two months, I have been able to write every day and have harnessed the power of that rhythm.
A three-week holiday in Ireland also helped with the daily time-stealing challenge and the inspiration, as my book is set in Ireland. Anyone who was lucky enough to be in Ireland this summer will tell you that the weather was superb. I wanted the country to be at its best so that my Swiss family would experience the magic of an Irish summer. In fact I wanted them to be enchanted and to develop some of the feelings about the country that I have. For once the weather came up trumps.
The novel is back in the hands of two readers and Iâm hoping that only small changes will be required from now on and that I will be able to declare September the month of submitting.
Iâll be posting soon again, about a fascinating meeting in Bern with award-winning Swiss-German writer Pedro Lenz and his Glaswegian translator Donal McLaughlin. Not only is McLaughlin from Glasgow (via Northern Ireland), he also writes in Glaswegian dialect. Canât wait to review the result of this unique collaboration: Naw Much of a Talker.
Looking forward to connecting with everyone again and catching up with your summer stories.
Itâs good to be back.
Well done, Claire.
Brilliant news.
Thanks Caroline. A nice surprise to wake up to this morning đ
Good to see you back to blogging and congratulations. I can see why your blog made the shortlist. Glad you had a good summer.
Thanks a million Anne, you’re too kind!
Congratulations on making the short-list, Clare, and super-congratulations on your progress with the novel. cheers. Niall
Thank you Niall. I think it’s still a case of ‘lots done, more to do’ with the book but I’m feeling positive about it.
Well done, Clare. Put me on the list for a signed first edition, please!
Thanks Marius. If that day ever comes I will be only too delighted!
Welcome back. And congratulations on finishing the draft and on the nomination.
Thanks Nicki! I’d forgotten one of the nicest benefits of blogging: Friendly support from like-minded people.
Bravo and…Bravo!
Thank you Jane!