I feel like I'm writing all the time, but not actually moving forward. I have completed yet another revision of my memoir. It was 80,000 words and I cut it down to 60,000 words. I had to write a one page synopsis and found this resource that helped me write it.

Through this process I realised what the shape of my memoir was and what needed to go and what needed to stay it. I then re-worked the prologue to give it a better frame and I feel much about this current draft. It also made me realise that the process of writing a synopsis can really help you see what the story is so I'm going to do that for my novels from now on.

At the moment I'm revising my young adult novel. I wrote it in third person and now I'm re-writing it to first person to give it more of a voice. When I've finished that process, I'm up to chapter 5, I want to do a one page synopsis and see how it holds up structurally, then I can submit it.

My actual work in progress this year is a historical murder mystery set in 1969. I'm really excited about this project and was progressing quite well with it, but until I finish revising my young adult novel and get it out into the world, I have to leave it on pause.

So I have lots of things on the boil, but I don't really feel a sense of satisfaction. I feel like I'm in this constant process of suspended animation. The publishing industry is so slow and so brutal. I have been watching with awe as some writers I hugely admire have forged into self publishing.

Ellie Marney, one of my favourite young adult authors of the Every series, has self published her novel No Limits. It was quite interesting to hear that her current publisher didn't want to back this novel because they thought it was too different from the Every series. Because it was a part of the series she didn't think another publisher would be interested, so she self published, and reached #1 Amazon bestseller, I think, within the first few days of it being out.

I'm currently working on a young adult novel that I'm really excited about. This book came about while I was working on my memoir and there was a personal anecdote that I wanted to devote more time to, but it didn't belong in the memoir. So the idea was born. I ended up writing about 20,000 words while the ideas were flying, then I left it and got on with finishing my memoir.

Earlier this year I completed my memoir and while it was doing the rounds of edits and revisions, I went back to the young adult novel but wasn't in the right headspace for writing. I had some personal things going on (sold a house, bought a house, and moved) and finally when I was settled in August I could get back to the business of writing.

At first my goal was a chapter a week, which was achievable because I had so many notes to draw on. Now that I've hit the (hopefully) over halfway mark with chapter 11 I'm probably batting a chapter every two weeks, but I'm still happy with this.

I'm at the point now where the characters are coming to life, developing nuances and depth, and feeling like real people. Fitting writing in while working full time as a teacher sometimes feels like quite a feat. I had a few weeks when I had no internet and was incredibly productive, but now I'm back to having to battle fatigue, distractions like great TV shows on Netflix and Stan, and ensure that my weekends have some writing time carved out. I realised that to do this I needed help, so I've started a writing group.

I've been a part of different writing groups over the years. When I was younger I was in a toxic writing group that actually began to cripple my creativity so for many years I was wary. A few years ago I joined an amazing group thanks to Demet Divaroren called Clan Destine. This was an incredibly supportive group of people and I have developed some wonderful connections and connected with critique partners. We have in some ways become victims of our success because the group has become quite big and we are now facing challenges of geography too as we are from all over Melbourne. I have also facilitated writing groups and seen the issues of people who aren't serious about the craft, but rather see their fellow group members as an audience

This year I realised that I really wanted to be in a writing group and benefit from deadlines that would motivate me keep on track. Learning from past lessons with writing groups I wanted it to be small, supportive, people who I knew well, and that we were geographically close. 

We met a few weeks ago, critiqued each other's pieces and I got so much from the discussions. We set a meeting schedule as well as a fortnightly critiquing schedule, and this has given me exactly what I need at this point-motivation. Writing is so much easier knowing that I have to be accountable and that I'll be meeting with my fellow writing group members to have conversations about productivity. Now the only thing we have to do is come up with a name.

My goal at this point is to finish my young adult novel by the end of the year. While I'm hitting a few snags (the next few weeks are busy preparing for report writing) I'm hoping that this will be definitely achievable. I'm loving working on this book and feeling great about it. but as always I have the next book knocking on the doorway, distracting my muse, so at this point finishing this book is not so much about being able to submit, but just being free to start the next project.

If anyone is interested in joining a writing group Writers Victoria has a page with groups that are in Melbourne. They also have a fact sheet to help anyone wanting to start their own writing group.

It has been a full on year and I've spent most of it with my teacher hat on, but I have a few things coming up that take me into the writing world again. I'm a contributor in the Rebellious Daughters anthology, will be delivering a workshop at Writers Victoria and be a panelist at Melbourne Writers Festival.

Good daughters hold their tongues, obey their elders and let their families determine their destiny. Rebellious daughters are just the opposite.

In Rebellious Daughters, some of Australia’s most talented female writers share intimate and touching stories of rebellion and independence as they defy the expectations of parents and society to find their place in the world.

Powerful, funny and poignant, these stories explore everything from getting caught in seedy nightclubs to lifelong family conflicts and marrying too young. Beautifully written, profoundly honest and always relatable, every story is a unique retelling that celebrates the rebellious daughter within us all.

Not every woman is a mother, grandmother, aunty or sister – but all women are daughters.

Rebellious Daughters contributors: Jane Caro, Jamila Rizvi, Susan Wyndham, Rebecca Starford, Marion Halligan, Amra Pajalic, Jo Case, Leah Kaminsky, Michelle Law, Caroline Baum, Rochelle Siemienowicz, Nicola Redhouse, Krissy Kneen, Silvia Kwon and Eliza-Jane Henry-Jones.

Published by Simon & Schuster in August 2016

Thursday 1 September, 11.15 am, Stories for Life panelist guest at Melbourne Writers Festival Schools ProgramCelebrating cultural diversity and recommended for EAL students, Stories for Life offers personal stories from Singapore-based novelist Shamini Flint, Coming of Age: Growing Up Muslim in Australia’s Amra Pajalic and storyteller Valanga Khoza. Not just for the classroom, these are stories for life.

This is a free event, but bookings are essential. Schools can also claim a transport subsidy of up to $6 per student. Please call 03 9999 1199 or email ticketing(at)mwf.com.au to book.

Primary Victorian Curriculum VCELY357, VCELT365, VCELY366
Supported by RE Ross Trust
The Diary of a… series by Shamini Flint and the Coming of Age: Growing Up Muslim in Australia collection edited by Amra Pajalic are on the 2016 Premiers’ Reading Challenge book list.

Saturday 24 September 2016 - 10:00 to 4:00 PM How to Write a Successful Funding Application at Writers Victoria

Rating: Early, Emerging
Writing grant applications is a process fraught with confusion. Usually the advice writers receive is to be “audacious”, but there are other factors to consider. Get real-life examples on how to address criteria, and hear the dos-and-don’ts from an experienced grants assessor.Back by popular demand after Amra's sold out Summer School course!

"I'm very happy to report that I received a grant from Creative Victoria for the completion of my second novel. A big thanks to Writers Vic and Amra Pajalic, as I attended the very appropriately named How To Write A successful Funding Application in January."

You will learn

• to justify the marketability of your project
• how to make your budget viable
• how to summarise your project
• to understand the perspective of a panel assessor
• to look for different funding opportunities.

This workshop develops employment-related skills.

This is the book I wish I’d had when my daughter was small and I was struggling with establishing a bedtime routine. The Kitten Who Wants To Fall Asleep, written by Cecilia Egan and illustrated by Elizabeth Alger, is based on creating visual cues and strategies for children to learn how to fall asleep.
 
This is an interactive book that allows the parent to read a story, while also interjecting their child’s name into the text and making them a part of the narrative. It has cues for parents to be able to change their voice in order to emphasise certain words.
 
While Misti, the kitten in the narrative is attempting to fall asleep she uses various sleep strategies such as breathing and clenching her muscles, this is also teaching the child themselves how to put themselves to sleep.
 
The other thing that I really like about this book is the reminder in the beginning about how to promote a healthy bedtime routine. While all of the suggestions are common sense as a parent I would have appreciated the reminder because in the stress and pressure of caring for a small child, and the sleep deprivation that goes along with it, I found myself forgetting common sense.
 
As I was reading this book I actually found myself following the visual suggestions and the rhythm of the narrative was soothing and calming me. This is a real treasure for any parents who are needing a little helper with their child’s bedtime and is a great introduction to establishing a routine of reading at night before sleep.
 
There are also other books in the series that help with other problems such as getting out of diapers and learning to control their temper.