A gap in the life of

Those of you who read my blog entries regularly might
wonder why it’s almost a couple of weeks since my last entry. Just looking at
the last couple of sentences of my last entry, I wasn’t aware then of what was
about to happen, but my immune system collapsed and my temperature went sky
high. Consequently I was hospitalised for six days during which time they
pumped all sorts of stuff into me to get me back to something like full
fitness. I came home two days ago and now I feel fine. While I was in hospital
I did a lot of thinking (no visitors for the first three days except Pat) with
the time on my hands. I found myself seriously contemplating giving up my
current writing project. I’ve struggled with it for so long now that I do
wonder if I’m going further and further down a cul-de-sac. But like a lot of writers (I suppose), once an idea has
taken root in my head, I find it difficult to shift; it keeps nagging away at
me. I have considered changing the opening, which would be the third change,
and even re-arranging the plot sequence. At the moment a lot hinges on a book
I’ve downloaded about world finance. I have to admit that I might have bitten
off more than I can chew: the subject matter requires a fairly good
understanding of the gold markets and money laundering. Not having served a
prison sentence for either crime, or being involved in any criminal activity, I’m
not in a very strong position. Perhaps I should go out and rob a bank, but Pat
doesn’t drive anymore, so I’d be stuck for a good and faithful getaway driver.
Back to the drawing board then.

Meanwhile, I haven’t given up on promotion. My novel,
ROSELLI’S GOLD, is part of a KDP review promotion for March and April. I have
also submitted it to eBooksoda for a slot on their site. Now I need to have a
look round for a reasonably priced advertising campaign to push it.

I contacted my publisher this week because I’ve been
expecting the PDF proofs for my novel, PAST IMPERFECT. I was told that because
the publishing date isn’t until next January, the MS hasn’t been sent to an
editor yet. It would be ideal if I could have another full length novel
available by then, but until I get my finger out, it isn’t going to happen.

On the house front; it is now less than four weeks away and
we will no longer own our villa. After eleven years living here, in a house that
we had built, it will quite a sad day when we walk out of the notary’s office.
But it’s all a means to an end, and we do want to move back to UK. I will be
having my final chemo session on Tuesday, and will do my level best to keep out
of trouble, eat the right food, not expend too much valuable energy and arrive
at the notary’s office as fit as a butcher’s dog. Wish me luck!