Right now, it’s 7:20pm on Thursday night, Christmas Eve, 2009. It’s very warm, but not too much so, certainly far from the hellish conditions my dad heard some guy on the radio warning of a couple of weeks ago (said guy, reportedly an expert on long-range weather prediction, forecast a possible maximum temperature on Christmas Day here in Perth of 45 degrees, and much the same for Boxing Day). In fact the forecast for tomorrow calls for maximum temp of 35, and 33 for Boxing Day. This is at the outer edge of bearable. I expect Michelle and I will sleep in tomorrow morning, and get around to going to see my parents in the early part of tomorrow afternoon, and then a barbecue dinner in the late afternoon/early evening. Should be lovely! :)

What’s new? Well, this month I started in on a new draft of the follow-up to Time Machines Repaired While-U-Wait. The previous draft got to 78,000 words, and promptly died. Author not happy. This new draft, started after some careful thought about what was working and what was not, is going so much better that it’s hard to believe it’s the same project. I’m up to 30,200 words, in the middle of chapter 7. There’s building tension, various puzzles and mysteries, Spider in all kinds of trouble, and feeling a sense that the whole world has move on, leaving him behind. There’s also a comical coffee droid.

So, at least as of right now, that’s all going eerily well. I’m averaging at least 2000 words a day, typically over two scribble sessions, one in the arvo, and the other in the evening. There’s even been some sessions where you pretty much forget you’re writing at all, and it’s like dreaming (but with typing). Last night I was banging the flippers like this, completely lost in the thing, when suddenly the phone went off (it was Michelle, wondering why I was late calling her at work). I was shocked and startled, exactly the way I feel after being startled out of a weird dream in the mornings. Most peculiar feeling, I have to say.

What else is new? The headaches have not left me altogether, and this week I had one that was a full-on four-alarm howler, truly a dire experience. I weakened and took two Advil, which helped take the edge off, but did not rid me of it. I have resolved to take painkillers as a last resort, rather than a first resort. So far, it’s working fairly well (touch wood). I’m trying to learn to not fear the headaches, as I used to.

Last, I also wanted to thank you, the readers of my work, who whether here or on Facebook or elsewhere keep stopping by to see how it’s all going, give me some encouragement, and commiserate through the miserable times (which, believe me, are still frequent companions). Your support really helps make what often feels like a lonely, indeed solitary, occupation (I hesitate to call it a profession) much less so. It’s marvellous to be able to report progress, even if only very occasionally. I’m aiming to have this version of the book finished by sometime in March, or sooner if possible. Who knows? I don’t think it will be ready in time for the Melbourne Worldcon next year, but maybe for World Fantasy Convention later in the year. Who knows? Publisher Brian is very disappointed (he, and I, were hoping to launch the book at the Worldcon), but it can’t be helped. The previous draft sucked. It’s a damn pity it takes so long to recognise said suckitude. Early detection would save a godawful lot of time and misery.

So, as I say, thank you for your support. I’d like to wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas, and a phwoar-worthy New Year. See you in 2010.