DK3

News | Posted by Carole on Friday 30 June 2006

So, I have started to write the third (and final) book in the Dragonkeeper trilogy. I feel nervous writing about it here. I always feel talking about a book I’m writing will hex it. The book doesn’t have a title yet ( my publisher refers to it as DK3) . And if anyone wants to know what will happen in it…I’m not telling. (See above about hexing.)

I’ve just read YA author Justine Larbalestier’s blog re writing a third book in a series.

I felt heartened that I wasn’t the only one who finds it hard. Justine was concerned about whether she should or shouldn’t be influenced by what readers say they want to happen. I don’t worry so much about that. The story has to be the way I want it to be, otherwise I couldn’t get it done. It’ll be a year out of my life spent writing it. I have to be thoroughly engaged in the plot and the chararcters…so that means doing it my way.
What I worry about is, Is it good enough? Will readers like it?
Justine was also angsting about bad reviews. They’re not nice, but you can’t please everyone. The hardest thing is, there’s no right of reply. Reviewers can say whatever they want and you don’t get to defend yourself. Which is a good thing. What could be worse than having a whingey author saying everyone’s missed the subtext or the fabulous act 2 turning point or the subtle character development? Everyone is a reader. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Though it is a sweet feeling when a book does well, despite being panned or ignored by reviewers.

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Garden of the Purple Dragon Publication Dates

News | Posted by Carole on Thursday 22 June 2006

I’ve been getting some emails from readers outside Australia who want to know when Garden of the Purple Dragon will be available overseas.

So far the UK, USA and Swedish puplishers have signed up to publish it. It will be released in February in UK. In USA it will be out in spring 2007. I haven’t had a date from the Swedish publisher yet.

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Home Again

News | Posted by Carole on Tuesday 20 June 2006

I’ve just spent four days in Fremantle (Western Australia just in case there’s anyone from OS reading). I wasn’t quite organised enough to post while away.

The event was a WA School Librarians conference. The conference was good and it was a pleasure to meet some of the lovely librarians who do such a fantastic job of promoting reading (particularly of Australian books) to young people. They are really up with what’s available for kids to read and interested in hearing what authors have to say.
Visiting writers (myself, Michael Panckridge and Felicity Pulman) were accommodated at the Freemantle Children’s Literature Centre which is housed in what was the hospital wing of the Freemantle Prison. Definitely the most unusual accom I’ve ever had! Great to have the company of those writers. It’s not very often I get to hang out with my colleagues.

I did manage to lock myself into the Prison grounds with my taxi waiting to take me to the airport on the other side of the 40 foot walls. Fortunately a prison tour guide took pity on me and freed me!

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New Family Member

Pets | Posted by Carole on Sunday 11 June 2006

I thought a blog attached to my website would make it easier for me to keep my “Latest News” up-to-date. It will also give visitors to the website an opportunity to comment. And I can talk about…well, anything!

Most importantly, I want to show the world our new puppy! Her name is Rita.

Isn’t she cute?

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