May 2009

Well it is still May - just. 25th today so am inside the month. On the 27th is the short story workshop and my bag is packed. Have read and commented on the stories sent in and have a few exercises ready for Wednesday. It will be a working day for everyone. I am hoping that the participants will all go home with at least a short story started and the impetus to want to go on and finish it. Some may return with a completed story. In first draft of course but this doesn't matter. If you have it down once you can revise and rework but if you simply leave with notes it often doesn't get written. Which is why I shall be pushing for everyone to have a go on the day.

May has been a busy month in many areas, and the first part of June looks like being the same. We have visits coming up from friends from South Africa and a friend from France plus several from friends who live in England, but the freezer is well stocked!

Tin Hats and Gas Masks and The Straw Halter are both out in audio and CD form (available from the library as well as from shops and Amazon and It's One of Ours is due in these formats around 10th July. The hardback of my latest effort Script for Murder is due to hit the shops on June 30th. Because the others sold out quite quickly and I couldn't get any more I shall make sure I buy some of this new one to take to talks and conferences.

One of the conferences I shall be going to in June is The Southern Writers at Earnley. I was involved with this one at the beginning of its life and always enjoy it. Hope to catch up with some of you who may be readiing this blog when I'm there. Come up and say hello please. Until next month, happy writing and reading from me. Joan.M.Moules.