Hello,
So it happened. I suppose it was inevitable. It's 2013. Mental.
The other day my lovely wife told me something that blew my mind. In Back to the Future, when they go into the future, it's 2015! That's right, in just two more years we're going to have hovering skateboards. Boy did it make me feel old. Either that or the fact I'm turning 38 this year has got me a tad mawkish and sentimental.
38 years on this planet, almost 40, which as we know is middle age personified. Still, mustn't grumble. For a nearly 40 year old I'm not doing too bad. I'm healthy-ish, I have my dream job(author), I have a wonderful, beautiful wife, two gorgeous kids and a lot to look forward to. Yes, as much as getting old is terrifying and I'm not looking forward to the day when I'm officially 'in my forties' I'm pretty bloody happy.
But that isn't what you want to hear, is it?
Oh, Jon Rance is doing all right, bully for him, but what about me, eh?
OK, fine, no more self-indulgence. Although if you want to gloat and know that my life isn't all celebrity parties and lunches at Gastro-Pubs, New Year's Eve and me and wife were in bed by 10pm. Terribly sad, I know, but it's the truth. We did, however, during Christmas visit Gordon Ramsay's brand new Gastro-Pub in Las Vegas, Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grill, and it was fabulous. Swings and roundabouts, eh.
Lets get down to brass tacks - that's a phrase you can only ever use in writing or in a boardroom. I could never use it in real life. People would laugh in my face. Anyway, brass tacks, this is a blog about my writing (mainly) and so here's what's going on in January.
I'm currently editing like a bastard. I don't mean that I'm editing (like a bastard), but editing like a bastard (a lot). I'm due to turn in the rewritten copy of Happy Endings at the end of January to my lovely editor. I think one of the best things about being a writer is that it's like being back at school again. I just hope, unlike school, I don't wait until the last minute and then stay up all night getting it done. The edit is actually going really well and I'm getting a lot more emotion out of the characters and I think it's going to be a lot better because of it.I'll keep you updated with the progress and maybe some tantalizing titbits.
This Thirtysomething Life is still available to download via Amazon, but from the end of January it will be in the hands of my publishers. Basically this means it will have a new and better cover, I've seen it and it's brilliant. It has been proofread by a professional, so it's error free and slightly better - although the story is exactly the same. In January it's also going to get some press reviews. I'm not 100% sure of the details yet, but as soon as I know, so will you. It's very exciting though.
The Thirtysomething Life is also being released as a paperback on April 25th! This will be one of the greatest days of my life. My book in bookshops across the country. Pinch me.
Thanks so much to everyone who bought my book last year, without you I wouldn't have got a publishing deal, wouldn't be so bloody happy all the time and my wife would have to hear me moaning about my shitty job all the time. You didn't just buy a book, you changed my life, so thank you! Please keep buying This Thirtysomething Life and if you already have, please tell all your friends to buy it too!
I hope you all had a lovely, wonderful and brilliant New Years and lets make 2013 a magical year!
That's it for now.
Until next time.
Hugs,
Jon X
