My story, 'Things of Beauty', has been shortlisted for consideration for the CSFG anthology 'Outcast'. This brings up to 3 the number of stories I currently have shortlisted for different publications. Pretty exciting stuff!

I've also just finished 'Magic or Madness' by Justine Larbalestier. I am starting to ask myself why I bother with adult fiction when there is so much cool young adult fiction around!

Now it's Friday and I don't have to go into work today. I'm sitting in my bathrobe at the computer. The morning is dedicated for writing stuffs. And, I've kept a reasonably blank slate for the weekend.

I've set a target of 3,000 new words on one of my current projects.

How can anyone manage to have multiple writing projects in train at the one time. I for example currently have 3 and that's more than I can cope with.

Two unfinished short stories (one very unfinished - the other waiting for that extra idea that will convert it from ordinary to better) and an unfinished YA novel.

Margo has about a gazillion - as does Shane. How does the mind cope - where do all those brilliant ideas come from - how come your brains aren't exploding?

Of course the more writing projects one is working on, the greater the procrastination ability. As you use the next story to avoid the first... and so on.

And a big thanks to Scott Westerfeld's 'Uglies'. In reading it I suddenly realised that I was being too nice to my protag - I had to make all her worst dreams come true or the story was boring. A vital turning point indeed! (And 'Uglies' is a good read as well).

Went out to a Persian Restuarant on the weekend. The food wasn't anything to write home about - but the bellydancer was fabulous!

After she'd finished her performance a singer came on and performed a variety of Middle Eastern pop and rock hits.

After a few songs L asked me if I wanted to dance. I wander if it was the fact that I was sitting on the edge of my seat, shaking and swaying in time to the music that gave it away! We danced a song and then I excused him and got up alone for a more traditional style bellydance piece. There were only about 3 girls up on the dance floor for this particular number. I forgot about the surrounding diners and enjoyed 3 and a 1/2 minutes of bellydance bliss!

Dance like no-one is watching.