Had an introspective, nostalgic day yesterday. The electricity was off for most of the day (I often get unexpected electricity cuts living in the Irish countryside, but this was a scheduled cut, so at least I could prepare for it). Since I couldn't work on my PC, I decided to prepare some material for my events in Edinburgh later this month. First I wrote out the words of a new song which I'll be singing (to the tune of Supercalifragalisticexpealidocious!!!!!). Then I started looking through old diary entries of mine. Basically, I'm planning to tell the as-yet untold story of the early days of "The Saga of Darren Shan" -- when I wrote it, why, what happened when my agent sent it to 20 publishers at the same time, etc.

I kept a diary for 12 or 13 years (maybe even more), before finally quitting 3 and a half years ago. I quit because I stopped enjoying it. I'd lived a very ordered life up to that point, and still do for the most part. But I felt the need to break free a little and make some changes, to be a bit more spontaneous and loose. One of the things to go from my life was the diary. But I'm glad I kept it for such a long time, because it contains all the details from that era of my life, all the difficulties I faced starting out as a writer, my dreams and hopes, my delight when things started to go my way.

It was fascinating to look back over entries I'd written 5, 6, 7 years ago. I'd forgotten most of what I'd written, and even some key events -- such as when my agent threatened to withdraw "Cirque Du Freak" from my publishers and send back the money we'd received (and which I'd already spent!!). To get the full lowdown, you'll have to come to my Vampire event in Edinburgh!!!!   :-)   Although, if it goes down well, I might do it again at some future events ...

Several of Bas's friends arrived in the evening. They're going off on a short holiday together, driving around the west of Ireland. That's why I didn't write up this entry last night -- I was playing host!!!!