An End and a Beginning
We've nearly reached the end of my month at Inside a Dog, so it's almost time for me to say goodbye. It's been a time of farewells for me, because just last week, I sent off my final corrections for the North American edition of The FitzOsbornes at War, which comes out in October. I've spent more than seven years writing the Montmaray Journals books, and now my work on them is finally over. But the end of something often means the beginning of something new, and now I'm working on a new book. Well, it's nowhere near being a 'book' at the moment – I'm somewhere between Steps Two and Three of my writing process. It's about history, but it's not really anything like The FitzOsbornes at War. There are no princesses in it, for one thing (although there are a couple of smart, determined and imaginative teenage girls). And it's not set in Europe . . . oh, wait, some of it is, but most of it is set in a place that's very familiar to me. Here are some photos of it:
Some old buildings (pretending to be much older than they actually are)
and a close-up shot of the cloisters (in black and white, because that makes them look spookier).
A lion
and a unicorn.
A gargoyle
and a very important gentleman.
A German devil spitting into a fountain
and a Mesopotamian demigod cuddling (or possibly, trying to strangle) a lion.
Hmm, what could this book possibly be about? (This is still a bit of a mystery to me, as well.)
Anyway, I'll be back on Monday to say goodbye, to announce the winner of my book giveaway and to introduce your new Writer in Residence at Inside a Dog. Have a lovely weekend!
Thanks, Araminta (and have a look at my next blog post, as it may contain something of interest to you).
Anonymous commenter who mentioned Melbourne Uni - you are very, very close! But I live in Sydney (hint, hint).
Elizabeth, when they built this particular place in the 1850s and 1860s, they were trying to make it look like Oxford and Cambridge - and they almost succeeded in some bits.
I just want to say, that stone artwork -- the lion and unicorn -- reminds me a lot of some architecture from my visit to London. And the buildings remind me of Cambridge. Maybe that's where part of this new book is set.... But I could be totally wrong.
Signed, Elizabeth, from the U.S.
Melbourne uni?:-) looks good. I still haven't managed to get the third book in your trilogy, but I'll get there.
Now you've got my curiousity piqued! I can't wait to read your new book--I love the FitzOsbornes, and look forward to whatever new you have up your sleeve.
Thanks for the great blogs posts--I enjoyed the peek into your style of writing. You're a great writer and I can't wait to read anything new you come up with. :D
araminta18
SJ, thank you so much - that's the sort of response that authors dream about! I am very lucky to have such thoughtful readers. Hope you enjoy my next book (when it finally turns into a book) and thanks for reading my posts this month.
Michelle, thank you for your wonderful posts over the last month. I have treasured them, as I treasured the three amazing books you have given us, which I can honestly say have found their way into my heart like few other series have. Thank you for these characters, and this story, and the slightly adapted history you have shared. I cannot wait to read your next book, regardless of the subject matter, you will be one of my favorite authors for life, and I know that everything you write, I will anxiously await.
SJ
