HELLO ENGLAND...

Yes, yes, yes, I know it's been bloody ages since my last blog, but if you'd followed me at all during the last few years you know this happens. I also have a huge excuse. I just moved back to England after spending the last ten years in San Diego. So there you go, my lack of blogging is valid.

So yes we moved. Me, my wife and two kids, got on a plane (with fourteen bags) and flew across the world and now we're living in the very lovely (if not a bit chilly) Brighton. This move has consumed the last few months of my life. I've also been finishing my latest book,which is now done and with my favourite editor at a very brilliant publishing house, hoping to get a new book deal. So yes, my life at the moment is a little stressful, and I'm awake at 2 am, and I had a thought. Moving across the world and writing are a bit similar.

Writing is stressful. This point at the moment where my book is with a publisher and I'm waiting to hear back whether they like it, love it, hate it, will give me a book deal, will tell me to stop writing and never put pen to paper again, is the most difficult thing in the world for me. Only myself and my agent have read this book. Obviously we like it, but now it's with an editor at a huge publishing house who has to decide whether it's worth taking on. Let's just say it's emotional.

Moving across the world has been so difficult. If it was just me and my wife, it would have been easy. Honestly. But having kids changes everything and I've been so worried and anxious about everything for them. And to make matters worse, the day after we arrived my son was sick and ended up spending the night in hospital attached to a drip. It was an awful start. Then we've had a hard time getting things done and so many days have been filled with worry and second guessing - the same feelings I often have about my writing.

I suppose the thing is, the best things in life are hard. They just are. I love writing and I've had a bit of success and it makes all the hard times worthwhile. I know that in the long run moving to England is going to be great, but at the moment it just seems very difficult. Maybe it's just that I seem to always make the hard choices, but I think that's what life is about. Anyone can make the safe easy choices, live life with the brakes on so you don't have to feel worried, or anxious, or that you're out of control, but that isn't me. I love writing and so I do it. I needed to move back to England and so here we are. In my mind my new book is going to get a publishing deal and living in England is going to be the best thing we ever did. My glass is half full, it has to be, otherwise I wouldn't be doing any of this.

I hope my next blog won't be so long in the writing. 

Until then.

Hugs,

Jon X