It has been a difficult month all around. I find myself emotionally hypersensitive to everything. On the weekend the family went to the local Museum and Archives where I found myself tearing up as I read a letter from a school girl to a sailor from the Second World War. I've been unable - or maybe unwilling - to sit down and write anything, but I've run out of excuses to stay away from the keyboard.
In the weeks before Christmas I revisited my novella, The Platinum Ticket, rewriting it and building it into a novel. I really enjoyed the process and, although I haven't re-read the finished product yet, think it grew into a pretty decent novel.
I have two other novellas which could stand to grow into novels. Patriot may be the best thing I've written. It is certainly my favourite. Patriot will be lengthened to a novel some day, but not just yet.
Herne is a story I wrote a few years back for the 3 Day Novel contest. Last night I pulled out a marked-up copy of the manuscript and read over a few sections. As I read, I saw opportunities to make Herne so much more than what it is right now. Don't get me wrong - it's a fine story as it is, but last night I saw real potential for a much better bit of writing.
I was contemplating a new project before this difficult month began and it looks like something has surfaced from all of the chaos. So be it. Herne it is.