Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Well, life has been pretty exciting this year, I must admit. By New Year's Eve 2013, I will look back on a pretty full and exhilarating year: lots of travel, fun times, great food, delicious wine, time spent with friends and family, and four -- count them, FOUR -- books published in just these past twelve months.

What I'll also be celebrating is that I've made a very big decision. I am about to take a risk and change up my life: in January 2014 I'll be moving to live in San Francisco.

I'm moving to take up a new full-time day job, which I'm really excited about. Yes, one day, I do want to be writing full-time, but right now that's not what life has in store for me. But I do definitely see myself with a writing desk that looks out over gently sloping grapevines (Yarra Valley? Hunter Valley? Napa Valley?) as I pen another book that will jet straight to the stop of the USA Today best-seller list in the not-too-distant future.

There are also plenty of opportunities the move presents for me from a writing perspective. New people, new places, new experiences -- these are things my muse loves. There'll also be the opportunity to meet new writers -- I'm hoping there's a San Francisco romance writing group out there that would welcome me as a member so I can keep hanging around with like-minded people, people who aren't concerned about the fact that I hear voices of imaginary people in my head.

I'm also hoping that I'll be able to attend RWA Nationals in July, and finally get to meet face to face with my gorgeous and talented critique partner, Robin Covington.

Right now though, I've got a lot to do. I'm packing up my apartment to rent it out. There are things I need to sell (fridge, washing machine, dryer, couches, book shelves -- all in very good condition if you happen to be in the market!), things I need to store, and things I need to throw out. These are big decisions. I've also got a new book coming out in December, so there's a little bit to do to get that organised, too.

As most of you probably know, I'm a pretty keen social media user (Facebook, mostly) so I intend to keep in touch with you all with frequent updates about my San Francisco adventures, there and here on my blog! And I am very keen to hear from you at any time -- feel free to drop me a line. And if, by chance, you have friends or family in San Francisco who you think might enjoy meeting a slightly homesick Australian author, please let me know -- I'll be after all the friends I can get!

Right now, while I work through my 'to-do' list that's eleventy billion items long, I'm using this song as my anthem. Whenever I start to get a little too stressed about everything, or start to feel the pang of "what the hell am I doing?", I put this song on, LOUD, and have a little disco dance around. It reminds me what this new journey is all about -- looking back one day and saying, "I did it all".

12 comments:

  1. Wow Emmie -- how funny. I had just decided I wanted this song played at my funeral. Not that I am planning it soon...and was wondering what type of music we would have in the future...anyway I think this is all BLOODY Awesome. Onya love!!

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    1. Thanks Jen! I wish I'd known the song better before I saw them live in concert -- I'd have been yelling it at the top of my lungs!

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  2. WOW big move but I'm sure it'll be hugely exciting! And congrats on all your writing success this year too. xo

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    1. Thank you Rachael -- it's been a huge year. Someone only yesterday asked me how many books I'd published, and it wasn't until then I realised that it had been four this year! I was actually quite amazed!

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  3. How exciting, Emmie. All the best for your huge move and future life!!!

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    1. Thanks Barbara! It is a huge move -- so much to get done. But after that it will all be so exciting!

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  4. How exciting! Wishing you all the best for the move, Emmie, and looking forward to reading that next bestseller you will pen in your new abode :)

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    1. Let's all keep our fingers crossed on that one! :) Thank you!

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  5. How exciting, Emmie! Wow, what a great opportunity. I'm very excited for you, though the Melbourne Romance Writers Guild won't be the same without your smiling face and great input. HUGS

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  6. Thanks Serena! Looking forward to seeng you all at the Xmas meeting!

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  7. Emmie, what fantastic news for you, opportunities abound and the change could inspire then next writings..!!!..... Hugs from Peter & Deiter

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    1. Thank you so much, darlings. It is all very exciting!

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