A Traveller Goes Home

Every journey must come to an end, and that's where I find myself today. It's been almost exactly six months since I left home to wander the States. I covered 21 of them this time, I think - what a ride it's been! The best part of course has been the strange yet wonderful experience of meeting so many people I've worked with online. Plenty of new people too.

So how am I different, going home? I knew at the outset that the journey would change me, as it always does. Well, I'm more determined than ever to write more than ever before. I have a lot of books and ideas just waiting to burst out and my initial goal is to write two first-draft novels per year. I can easily do that if I stick to writing 500 words a day.

I'm also determined to get properly fit. To this end I've ordered a treadmill which is waiting for me at home, and I'll set up a desk on top so I can walk all day while working. I've become convinced that sitting is deadly and if standing is healthier, then walking is much better, and I've read numerous accounts of people who work successfully at treadmill desks.

So many other things I want to do... learn the piano, get a dog, go to Zumba classes, write Doctor Who fanfiction... but I guess I'll try to settle back in before I go absolutely wild.

Oh, but I DO want to build a TARDIS door for my bathroom...

I'm also going home with three book contracts for my own work. Yes, I'm a publisher, but I very much appreciate that every writer needs an editor to help push beyond what I can be by myself. So I'm going to be a PYP author, and I have most of one book yet to write for this endeavour. I'm very excited to see what difference it makes to have a USA-based publisher, especially such a dedicated one.

Lots of work ahead. Lots of writing. But first of all, getting back to the Southern Hemisphere and summertime!

Grace Bridges, Splashdown Books