It’s strange what bubbles to the surface while walking the dog, or perhaps it’s not that strange at all. Regardless, what bubbled to the surface this week while walking the Old Lady of the House (who, like her walker, is aging at a rate of knots) is that this is my 20th year as a committed, daily writer. Thank you, thank you, thank you – your applause is very kind. So there’s a nice symmetry, if that’s the right word, to The Beach Volcano being published this year. What will happen now? How will the next 20 years be? Will there indeed be another 20 years of writing? Sometimes – often – I simply can’t imagine that being the case. What I know for certain is that it’s very, very unlikely that I’ll write another series of three novellas. I adore the novella form, as is probably obvious, but it’s time to work in a new way. On a personal level, it seems like one chapter is closing and another one is opening – maybe. So, if you’re so inclined, it’d be great to have you at the launch of The Beach Volcano and help celebrate not only this third and final novella, but also that…I’m getting incredibly old. Plus you’d get to hear from Distinguished Professor Jen Webb, Director of the Centre for Creative and Cultural Practice at the University of Canberra (amongst many other things). I mentioned all this to Millie during our walk earlier this week. Being a very loving and patient dog, she wagged her tail, but I could that she wasn’t terribly interested. I think she just knows – really knows – that her greatest contribution to my life is taking me for a walk. Which is more than enough, surely.
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September 5, 2014 at 9:16+00:00Sep
Peter
Hi Nigel, Congratulations on your new novella! Wishing you at great launch for The Beach Volcano, and may you go from strength to strength in the next twenty years! Peter J, Newtown.
September 6, 2014 at 9:16+00:00Sep
Michele Seminara
Nigel, I finished The Beach Volcano late last night (yes, you kept me up again – in a good way) and was so moved. What a bloody gorgeous and wise piece of writing! You know when you get to the end of a book and your throat constricts and your heart moves in your chest? That! Loved it. Thank you.
September 6, 2014 at 9:16+00:00Sep
Nigel Featherstone
Michele: That. Is. The. Most. Wonderful. Comment. Ever. And it’s the first public comment on ‘The Beach Volcano’. So, thank you. So VERY much. Perhaps us writers just want to move our readers? As to being wise: maybe, sometimes I like to imagine being wise, but I let the imagination go pretty quickly. Though perhaps – sometimes – my characters are wise. But, sadly, they’re not me. I’m just so glad it all worked for you. Thanks so much for bothering to share your response to the book. I really do appreciate it.
September 6, 2014 at 9:16+00:00Sep
Michele Seminara
The fact that you don’t allow yourself to get caught up in the thought of being wise, indicates – paradoxically -wisdom! It’s an absolutely gorgeous book, Nigel, and a pleasure to say so. x
September 6, 2014 at 9:16+00:00Sep
Nigel Featherstone
Thanks again, Michele. That means a lot.
September 9, 2014 at 9:16+00:00Sep
Gabrielle Bryden
You’re not old Nigel 🙂 Twenty years is quite the milestone – congrats, and if you keep those words flowing I don’t care what the format is – novel, columnist, music criticism on jjj, whatever 😉 shake it up and see what comes out! #champagne #popping
September 9, 2014 at 9:16+00:00Sep
Nigel Featherstone
Thanks Gabe. I’m all primed for shaking it up, especially in terms of that popping champagne.