Monday, September 14, 2009

Return of the Prodigal Writer

My dear readers: Hello! How have you been? Someone really must teach me the definition of blogging. Blogging: website, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material. Emphasis on “regular”. Would you call one entry a year “regular?” I didn’t think so. Honestly, you’d think I was writing a book or something. And losing my babysitter. And raising four kids, including the near 22-year-old, who’s back home after a successful college career. And trying to lose twenty pounds. And desperately trying to finish the Bronze Horseman screenplay. And getting ready to return to Australia and New Zealand in November. But still. I find it inexcusable that I couldn’t find time to write and apprise you of my goings-on. I promise to do better in the future.

In the meantime, another book, the ninth novel, is finished. Whew. It’s called A SONG IN THE DAYLIGHT. It’s a story of a woman in the middle of her happily-ever-after life gradually embroiled in a passionate mess of her own making. I can’t wait to have you read it and to hear what you guys think of it. To celebrate its arrival in the stores in New Zealand and Australia on October 27, 2009, (with England to follow in the spring of 2010, and the U.S. a little later), I will be returning to the Land of Oz and NZ for three weeks in November. I’m excited about seeing you all. I hope you come to my shows, readings, signings. Details to come shortly. As soon as we have a definite itinerary, we’ll post it either here on in News. But I know I’ll be in Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Wellington, in New Zealand. And in Australia, we’ll visit Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart (!), Adelaide and Perth. I do hope you all can join me for some wine and talk. I’ll try to bring pictures and music, like last time. Do you know how hard it is to work without a babysitter for your kids? Pavla was like a wife to me, but after six years she left me home alone with the children. It was like a divorce, amicable, but no less heartbreaking. And all the things she did for me, picking up the little one from school, carpooling the older ones, doing homework, laundry, food-shopping, all the little errands, the dry cleaning, the post office, suddenly was placed squarely in my overburdened lap, and meanwhile my editor is emailing me every day, saying, Paullina, done with the book yet? What about now? And what about now? Done now? So the day was halved and stressed, and the work was doubled and stressed. Is it any wonder I’m just coming up for air now. The children have started school again, today, but I see that it’s almost time to pick up the little one from school again. What’s funny is, this is what most of you have to live through every day. I know that. I always knew it. I didn’t know how you had time to read my books. But I had been so lucky, because since I finished Tully, I’d never been without some domestic help. At first it was for four hours, then six, then a full day, 9-5. I’ve been with 9-5 help for the last thirteen years. Imagine my shock last March. We tried to find someone great, but failed. No one could be as great as the girl who left me. I must run, the third-grader is waiting, but I will write more tomorrow, and I will tell you about Jindabyne, and also about my beloved grandmother.




13 Comments:

Blogger Neva said...

Dear Paullina!
Waiting desperately for your new book in Poland. But-please- what about the screenplay?
By the way, are you going to visit Poland? You have a lot o fans (even "very adult") here.
Regards Neva

September 15, 2009 at 5:49 AM  
Blogger Pretzel Thief said...

Paullinaaaaaa!! :D

What a pleasant surprise seeing your blog entry, first of all (that's SOOO not a jibe, by the way! :P), and second, I'm thrilled about your latest novel and even more so that you'll be coming down to Oz to promote it, yaaaaayyy!

(My first cousin Dragana and I will be there with bells on, oh yes sirree! We're Melbournites, by the way. :D)

Oh, and re. the screenplay (eep!), there are a fair few of us who think we have found our Shura, i.e. the actor who'd best be able to portray the character on screen.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=66553249902&ref=ts

We hope you agree...! :)

All the very best with juggling the myriad quotidian activities - you can do it! And in the meantime, hopefully you'll find someone worthy.

::thumbs up::

Cheers!

September 16, 2009 at 2:53 AM  
Blogger Sou Sou Sweets said...

Paullina Im very excited to see your announcement of your definite book tour in November in OZ!

Im one of those mums too that juggles school drop off and pick ups and wonders where the day goes in between.

There is always time to pick up one of your books though.

Can't wait till November!!!

September 18, 2009 at 11:17 PM  
Blogger eleniii said...

Paullina!

You sound really busy but it's so great to hear from you! I'm so excited for your new book and I'm DEFINATELY going to your signings and readings in Australia! Bronze Horseman is my favourite book (tied with Anna Karenina, ironically too, I must have a thing with Russian writers lol) It's fantastic that you're coming back!

And I hope you take some time to unwind.. I'm sure you deserve it

Regards Eleni

September 19, 2009 at 12:05 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Dear Paullina... I can't belive that finally I can communicate with you! I'm an italian fan of all your books! But my favourite book is 'The Bronze Horseman'. In Italy we hardly wait for your screenplay!
This is a video made by me about your book, it's a sort of tribute to you! If you watch this video, I'll be flattered by that! There is also 'The anniversary song' as soundtrack, that Alexander sing on his wedding night!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDC3rpopd-Q

Regards Maria Adele!

September 22, 2009 at 7:56 AM  
Blogger Taty said...

paullina.. you MUST watch mariaddy's video... it's perfect... and i hope you'll enjoy it... =) i love your trilogy... and i'm proud of you!!!! i'm a young( quite young i'm sixteen years old) and as some others girls i can't wait for the film... and why you don't come in italy??? =) and we love youuuuuuuuuuu!!!!
kiss kiss Taty i'ìm just freaking out for the notice that you are finishing the screen play!!!! ;)

September 27, 2009 at 2:54 PM  
Blogger Janine said...

Oooh! Paullina! I am thrilled you're coming back to NZ! I came to your last book signing in Auckland and will be sure to make the 2 hour drive up again this November!
I am also super excited to hear that the rumours of The Bronze Horseman movie aren't just rumours! Yay! :)

September 30, 2009 at 9:53 AM  
Blogger Kris Elliott said...

I'm falling behind in my "devoted fan" duties since I'm just NOW seeing this posting. Of course, as happy as I am for Oz and NZ getting the book I am also incredibly envious. You know how much I want to read this book, Paullina. Can I come over and borrow a copy? ;)

Have a safe trip down under. And may you survive the domestic crisis. :)

Kris

October 18, 2009 at 10:49 AM  
Blogger Ariean said...

Dear Paullina,

I heard on the radio today you are coming to NZ to promote your new novel! I avidly read most of your novels about 3-5 years ago, and I wasn't able to see you the last time you were here. I am glad I will actually have the chance to see you this time in November 2009. I've never been to a signing of any author (yours is one I don't want to miss!) is there any chance that I could bring all my novels of yours to be signed (6 of them). Is that not usual practice, or would you mind? Please I'd love to get all my novels of yours signed, it's my dream!

I have been so out of date with your career because of university/college, but looking at other comments.. there are news of a movie for The Bronze Horseman??!? I would be so so over the moon if so.. I must go find out more about it! haha

Best regards with everything, and I hope you have time to reply to my question because I'd really love to get all my novels of yours to be signed!!

Anna

October 22, 2009 at 3:29 AM  
Blogger Tania said...

I have just finished reading the Bronze Horseman and I absolutely loved it! I can't believe no one told me about this amzing book earlier. I'm just starting to read Tatiana and Alexander now and I'm finding it hard to put down (not suprising really). I'm so excited you're coming to NZ! I'm gonna be there straight after my exams! :)And I hope you find the perfect couple to play Shura and Tania - in my opinion none of the well-known actors should star in it. Good luck and I'll see you in November. YAY!

October 28, 2009 at 6:13 AM  
Blogger Jennifer S said...

Have just finished reading A song in the daylight, I could not put this book down, it takes you into the life and love of the characters. I loved it!
I ahve read many of your books and have just purchased Tully which I am very much so looking forward to opening up.
Thankyou again for another amazing book!!!
Jen

February 2, 2010 at 11:50 PM  
Blogger fabiola said...

paulina-g'day from australia-i love all your books-as a matter of fact i have them all- and everyday i enjoy re-reading all of them-are there more books following up-are you going to do a follow up on maybe-tully and robin-spencer and lili and finally tatiana and alexander-heres hoping it will come reality-

April 19, 2010 at 11:37 AM  
Blogger fabiola said...

paulina-i enjoyed all your books-in fact i have them all and everyday i enjoy re reading them-any chance of any more books??also any chance of a follow up on what happens to tully and robin-spencer and lilli-tatiana and alexander--wishing you the best

April 19, 2010 at 11:40 AM  

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