What really struck a cord with me was this. He said if you give him two students, one a brilliant writer, the other a pretty good writer with a heap of stamina, he’d put his money on the one with stamina making it in the publishing game.

I completely agree with him. Talent alone is worth diddly squat if you’re not prepared to work, HARD. All the time. Even when you’d rather cut off you own arm than write. Even when you’re tired, sick, bored, feel sad/grumpy/down-hearted. When you’d far rather watch Grey’s Anatomy, drink tea, talk to your friends on the phone, play with the internet. You just have to get on with it.

Last night I was at the launch of Claudia Carroll’s new book: Personally, I Blame My Fairy Godmother. Great title, isn’t it? She has a real gift for quirky titles. Sinead Moriarty – who was also at the launch – and I are very envious. We both struggle with titles sometimes. Although my new adult book: The Shoestring Club, didn’t cause me much grief at all.

Anyway, back to the launch. I met a very lovely journalist who has been writing a book for quite some time. Several years in fact. She’s a few thousand words in and has taken writing workshops to get her motivated. Yet she was at the launch and admitted to watching Grey’s Anatomy and other shows. Did I give her the lecture on sticking her bum to her chair and getting on with it? I did not. If she’s going to finish her book, she will. And no-one, especially me is going to force her to do it if she’s not ready. Will she ever do it? I believe in this case, yes, she will. She’s a great writer, has a quirky sense of humour, and the stamina (from years as a journalist) to do it.

I meet so many people who tell me ‘I could write a book/I’m going to write a book one day when I get time/I’ve written three hundred words of a book (the average popular fiction is 100,000 words!). I always smile at them and say ‘Lovely. Good for you.’ But in my head I always hear Maeve Binchy’s immortal words ‘But you haven’t written one, have you?’

You have to make the time to write. Question is, do you really, really want to?

Yours in writing,

SarahX

Marita Conlon-Kenna gave a lovely speech and I was touched to see so many friends and family members at the do in Hughes and Hughes on Wed night.
Plus fellow writers Martina Devlin, Clare Dowling, Don Conroy and many others.
Thanks so much to everyone for coming!

I’m off to the UK for a week of Amy Green events – talk soon!

SarahX

Where: Dubray Books, Grafton Street and Neary’s Pub

When: This very evening, I’m just in the door.

What: Morag Prunty aka Kate Kerrigan – to launch her wonderful new book, Ellis Island

Who: Lots of lovely author type people attended – Martina Devlin in a stunning winter white outfit, including matching boots, Claudia Carroll in a lovely grey pleated coat (she’d just been shopping in A Wear – Peter O’Brien – and recommends his new collection), Anita Notaro in a beautiful purple evening coat.

Who else – lots of journalists from Image Magazine, the Irish Daily Mail; booksellers; Pan Macmillan bods, including the charming Chloe, Morag’s UK publicist, the dashing Cormac Kinsella, her Irish publicist, and David Adamson, Mr Pan Macmillan in Ireland.

Morag read from her book and signed for her fans (moi included!).
Great night altogether.

SarahXXX

Patrick Ness in London – I was chief ligger as I kind of invited myself – I know, I know – but I’m a huge fan and I just couldn’t help myself.

Launch no 2 – Tues – Liz Lyons in Dubray Books, Grafton St, Dublin – lovely girl, lovely book.

More news later!

But, my friends, it’s launch city again – boy, how I’ve missed a good launch.

SarahX

Sarah’s new book, The Demon’s Lexicon, a gritty, exciting urban fantasy, is out in June. And a cracking read it is too. Stay tuned for a review after publication.

I’ve read an early copy and it’s fast, furious and as for the main character, Nick – swoon – teens will love him. Step aside Edward, there’s a new boy in town.

Dinner was at a surprisingly packed Roly’s in Ballsbridge. I had salad, salmon and this amazing melt in the mouth Toblerone cheesecake – delicious!

Sarah regaled us with tales of lip biting (don’t ask) and teaching gifted children – she’s a most interesting girl and it was a pleasure to chat to her.

Another dinner with Megan McDonald next week – I’m a lucky girl! The life of a children’s reviewer – sigh.

Sarah X

Sarah Rees Brennan