I am knee-deep in revisions, and so surprised at what I’m catching. But its the little things. I’m happy on the whole with my plot, I LOVE my characters, and now I’m just trying to make sure the pictures in my head go onto the page so that other people can see them in their heads too.

I’ve never honed so much before. I hope I succeed in chipping away everything that is not the story, so it emerges, David-like, from the page.

I’m excited about attending the RWA Perth Roadshow on 23 May. The line-up is:

A. Deep Point of View (Denise Rossetti)– Bestselling authors make readers laugh, cry and sigh with satisfaction. They build three-dimensional characters – flawed, complex, contradictory, human. In this tutorial, learn how to write from the inside. Reveal the innermost thoughts and emotions of your hero and heroine and let your readers connect.

B. World Building (Keri Arthur) – In any kind of fantasy fiction, whether it’s science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy or paranormal romance, the writer is asking the reader to put aside the conventions of the “real world” for the world the author presents in the story. However, if the author doesn’t weave the details of her world well enough into the story, readers can easily become disenchanted with both the author’s world and the story itself. So how can we, as authors, successfully create an alternative–and believable–environment? The answer is, of course, to know far more about your world than you ever put in the story. This workshop will help you flesh out some of those finer details and make your story more believable.

C. Urban Fantasy/Paranormal (Keri Arthur) – Got a question about writing urban fantasy or paranormal romance? Want to know how the publishing world works? Want to ask what’s hot and what’s not? Then come along to this question and answer session with New York Times and USA Today best selling author, Keri Arthur.

D. Dialogue (Kelly Arthur) – “He said what?” Tips and tricks for writing dialogue that shines. Fact: If you can’t write good dialogue, you can’t write a good romance. Bring workpad and pens and be prepared to work through a series of exercises designed to help bring your dialogue to life.

E. Heroes (Kelly Hunter) – I Need A Hero – Romance hero archetypes and why we love them. Alpha or beta? Bad boys or charmers? Lost souls or warriors? What’s your preference? Join Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley, Captain Jack Sparrow and Will Turner, Shrek and Donkey and more, as we figure out why audiences fell in love them and why they (almost) always get the girl.

F. Sealed Section (Denise Rossetti) – Anything’s open for discussion in this frank tutorial about how to write sensuality and sex. Leave your inhibitions at the door and learn how to increase sexual tension and make intimate moments sizzle.

My first Australian writing conference. Woohoo!

I finished my historical novel today. It is so satisfying, so wonderful to have reached the end. The end that eluded me for over a week. The end I wrote, and rewrote and rewrote until eventually I struck the cord I was aiming for.

Now, I feel totally drained. I can’t think of starting something new, but at the same time, the thought of spending tomorrow without writing anything almost terrifies me. How will I get through the day without it?

I think my brain is sort of punch-drunk with writing. I’m going to read, and give myself until next Monday before I print this baby out, do a hard copy read through and some tweaking. And then, ready or not, I’ll dive into the next book.

What is your system when you finish a book?