I got a very nice e-mail from a kid called Kevin, who I met recently on my USA tour:

I went to one of your Seattle book signings. I would like to thank you. I love writing, so I asked you for some tips for young writers, such as myself. You replied "Don't right away try to write a big book and get it published. Start with short stories and eventually you will be able to write longer ones as you practice." This little piece of your wise advise was the best advice I have ever heard.  I tried what you told me to and it worked! I wrote a one page long short story and it was okay. Then I kept writing more short stories and more and more until now, I can write five page long stuff. Your wisdom has changed my life and I just thought I should thank you, Darren.

I get asked for advice from young would-be authors all the time, and really there's not much I can tell them except write often, keep writing, and gradually improve as you go along. Writing's a long, slow process and there aren't any shortcuts -- the more you practise, the more you learn and the better you get. I think a lot of those who ask are dissatisfied with that answer. They think there's some magical advice that I'm holding back which would allow them to make huge leap forwards if I shared it with them. And I can totally understand that -- as a teenager, I thought and hoped for the same thing too!!! But there is no magic in writing, just hard work and luck -- if you work hard, you'll improve and learn to write to the best of your abilities, and if you're lucky, people will want to read what you've written and you'll make money out of your work. (Not all good - even great - writers get lucky. Many top-notch writers make very little out of their books, simply because they never get a lucky break.)

Kevin has taken a vital step forward -- he listened when I told him it was all about hard work, and has made the decision to put the hard work in. It's a long road he's started down, and there's no telling if he'll keep going to the end -- many lose heart along the way, when they realise how tough it is. But he stands a chance. He's going in the right direction. And if any of the rest of you want to stand a chance too, you should follow Kevin's example, start small, work hard, build slowly ... and keep doing that for the next five, ten, fifteen years and beyond.

My "Thief in the Night" tour (as I've dubbed it) started today. Went up to the West End to sign stock in several book shops in the morning. Met my publicist from Collins, Nicola, and then signed LOADS of books in the following shops, so if you're in the area over the next few weeks you can get copies in any of them; you can order copies from most of the shops too, and in some cases have them mailed to you, so I've provided links to them where I can.

Went over for a meeting with my agent, Christopher Little, and his assistant, Kellee Nunley, this morning. It was just a little pre-Christmas get-together, to discuss little odds and bobs. "Lord Loss" is selling splendidly in the UK -- over 62,000 copies of the hardback sold in under six months -- excellent!!!! And "The Saga" continues to sell VERY strongly, even though it finished more than a year ago. Apparently the movie script is coming along nicely and the search for a director will hopefully begin in the not-too-distant future ...

Went up the West End after the meeting, met Bas and went to see "Otherwise Engaged" at the Criterion Theatre. Very amusing, with some great acting, especially Richard E Grant in the lead role. Not one for kiddies though -- there's a lengthy topless scene in the first half which might stir up all sorts of new sensations in innocent teenage boys!!!!!!   :-)  It was also enjoyable to see Anthony Head, who plays Giles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", though he didn't have a huge role.

Had dinner in Brown's in Covent Garden, then went back for our last play of our marathon session -- six in three days!!! It was "Heroes" in Wyndhams Theatre, starring Ken Stott, Richard Griffiths, and - one of my all-time favourite actors - John Hurt. The play is nice, funny and moving, but nothing spectacular. But the acting was superb -- three first-class actors at the top of their game. A fitting way to finish up!

Spent the morning writing out Christmas cards. Got through a lot, though I have some more to do. I'm not a fan of Xmas cards, and would just as happily send and receive none every year -- but I don't want people thinking I'm an old Scrooge, do I?!?

Headed up the West End with Bas around midday. I bought an old Rolex watch (from 1924) earlier in the year, and it's been losing time recently, so I took it back to the shop for repairs. The shop is the Vintage Rolex ship in Burlington Arcade -- worth going to have a look at if you like old watches, as it's the only dedicated antique Rolex shop in the world!! While there, I spotted a lovely Oyster watch from 1940, and decided to treat myself to it as an early Christmas present!!! I usually get crap pressies from family and friends, so if I don't splurge out on myself, nobody else will!!!!!!   :-)

Bought a couple of paintings by a newish artist, Alison Mills, after that. They both depict vague figures in snowy landscapes. Not the usual sort of pictures I'd go for, but I liked these a lot, so decided to buy. I really like buying "new" art -- it's exciting to wonder if the artist will go on to bigger, better things, and if a painting bought for a relatively small amount now will shoot up in value over the years. I collect for fun, paintings that I like -- but it would certainly add to my pleasure if I turned out to have a keen eye for fine art!!!! Not that I think I have -- unless I wear extra strong glasses!!

Went to our first show of the day after that, "And Then There Were None" at the Gielgud. I'd seen the old movie of it some years ago, but couldn't remember it very well, so I didn't twig to who the murderer was until quite late in the play. I'm not a huge Agatha Christie fan, but I like to watch plays of her work every now and then. The play was originally called "Ten Little Niggers"!!!! Hard to believe that was once considered an acceptable title for a play, but that's the way the world changes! Makes me wonder if any of MY titles will one day be considered obscene!!!!!!!

Had dinner at TGI Friday's, one of my favourite restaurant chains -- I usually eat there at least once a month! Then we went to see "Mary Stuart" at the Apollo. An intriguing political play about Mary Stuart (Queen of Scots) and Elizabeth the First. Not the easiest play to sit through, but it was beautifully acted, and built superbly to a thoroughly satisfying finale. Sitting two rows behind me was the ex-Prime Minister of the UK, John Major!! Given the subject matter of the play, I found his presence especially pleasing, and kept looking for parallels between the characters in the play and the twisted relationships between members of recent UK governments -- and there were plenty to find!!!!! The more things change ...

Rose late, after 10.00. Had a shower. Checked my e-mails. Went for a square pie in Spitalfields again. They had mash this time -- hurrah!! -- but no steak and guiness pies!!! Boo!!!!! I had a steak and kidney instead, which was very nice, but am I destined never to have my favourite pie and mash there again?!?!?

Walked up to the South Bank with Bas, along the banks of the Thames, after lunch -- one of my fave walks in the world. Went to see a new play called "Paul". It's an interesting look at the life of Saint Paul, one of the founders of Christianity. It explores the foundation pillars of religion, the relationship of truth and politics, and how faith can flourish in spite -- or sometimes because of -- the truth. One that saves some nice, unexpected twists for the second half, and which sends you away thinking and talking. Highly recommended.

Had dinner in a restaurant called Giraffe after that, and tucked into a truly delicious burger. After that we popped into a DVD shop beside it, and Foyles, where I discovered copies of "Demon Thief"!!! I was delighted to see them on the shelves ahead of their release date. I must say, they look good in the flesh!!!

I thought we had loads of time until our next play after that, so we strolled up to the city, did some shopping, then headed for our second play, which I thought was "Heroes", which starts at 8.00pm. But when I said it to Bas, she said she thought we were going to see "Mary Stuart"!!!! A quick check revealed that she was right -- I'd got our Thursday play mixed up with Tuesday's!!!!! And "Mary Stuart" starts at 7.30pm!!!!!! And it was 7.35!!!!!!!! Hellfire!!!!!!!!!! We could have gone in, but I HATE missing the start of movies, never mind plays, so I just gritted my teeth, accepted responsibility for the boo-boo, and set off for home, leaving the play for another night. I was disgusted at myself for the mistake, but there was nothing I could do to correct it, so I tried to push it from my thoughts. Then, as we turned onto the Strand, heading for the Embankment, I spotted the sign for "Chicago". Hang on, I thought, doesn't that start at 8.00pm? We hurried up to check, and it does -- and it was only 7.50!!!! We'd both seen it a few years ago, but both wanted to go again -- so we did!!! It's a brilliant show, one of the most stylish around. The cast was strong, as I think it always is. I was dubious about the guy playing Billy Flynn -- he's a young singer called Darius who is "famous" in the UK for finishing as a runner-up in two big talent shows (one of which was Pop Idol). I thought he'd be awful, but in fact he was really good -- charismatic, cheeky, with a fine singing voice. Bas had said he'd be good, so she was able to smile smugly at me afterwards!!

It's been a hectic few days! Spent Friday night answering fan mail -- managed to get through a nice chunk of the mountain of mail which was awaiting me upon my return from the States. On Saturday Bas and I went to see one of my grand-aunts, Nora, then went to see "Guys and Dolls" again. We saw it not long after it first opened, 6 months ago, and wanted to catch Ewan McGregor and the original cast again before they're replaced in a couple of weeks. We managed to get great seats in the middle, seven rows back. It's a top-notch play, great songs and cast. McGregor's singing voice isn't as strong as a lead musical actor's should be, but he was perfect apart from that. The actors were all first-rate, especially Jane Krakowski -- the undoubted star of the show. We met with one of Bas's friends, Sarah, afterwards and had dinner at Wagamama's, then went to a 30th birthday party for some of her other friends over on Fulham Road. Had a good night, lots of drink and chat, and got to bed about 03.00.

Spurs were playing West Ham on Sunday at 1.00pm, so I had an earlier start than I would have liked. Got a steak and guinness pie from the Square Pie shop in Spitalfields Market. I love Square pies, and the mash that comes with them is DEEEEE-licious!!!! But they didn't have mash when I went -- they were awaiting the delivery!! Oh, well, at least the pies were there! I decided to eat it on the train up to Tottenham, but the train was packed and I had to stand, so that plan went out the window! It always angers me when the trian companies don't put on extra games for fans on match days. They KNOW thousands of fans are going to be piling into the trains, but they don't even bother to put on extra carriages, never mind extra trains! Madness!!!!! I ended up eating my pie on the platfrom at Bruce Grove. It was cold by then, but still scrumdiddlyumptious!!

Met the small group of friends I go to the football with in our regular pub, had a couple of quick drinks, then headed up for the match. I hate early kick-offs -- you don't have time to get into the real football mood and the atmosphere is never the same. The game was a scrappy, messy affair. Spurs took an early lead but played poorly. It looked like we were going to escape with the three points, but then West Ham equalised in the last minute -- a gutter!!!!! There's nothing worse in football than sacrificing a last-minute goal!!!

It was my uncle Derek's 37th birthday, so I stayed out drinking with him after the game. He's less than four years older than me, so we grew up more as brothers than uncle and nephew. We had a good few drinks with the others, though by the end of the night only me, Derek and a guy called Brendan were left -- the rest had all filed home for an early night! We ended up in Belushi's in Covent Garden, then in a club called the Metra in Leciester Square. Got home about 01.00, but it felt much later, since we'd started so early!!

Derek stayed in my flat. We headed out earlyish on Monday, had a quick bite, a few more drinks, then went to the Ivy for lunch. I don't bother much with high-class restaurants, but I like to indulge every now and then, and since it was still Derek's birthday (in his mind, at least!), I thought I'd treat him. It's a nice spot, very good food, but nothing overly special. I think most people go there to spot celebrities -- our only celeb (apart from myself, of course!!!!) was Carol Vorderman, from Channel 4's Countdown programme. Had another couple of drinks after that, and then it was back home to bring my blog up to date.

Came over the London today. I've got a week of football, parties, theatre and movies -- then the work starts!!! Had lots of e-mails to answer in the morning. Then had to get everything ready to bring over with me. Forgot to bring my business cards!!! I have "Darren Shan" business cards which I like to hand out to fans at events. I have some at my flat in London, but not enough, I fear, to last the whole of the tour. So I guess it'll be first come, first served ...

Got to the airport a couple of hours early, so that my Dad could return to his job -- he's the janitor at the school where I went as a kid, and Friday evenings are his busiest time of the week! Ate at the airport (Bas quite rightly compared the food on offer to school dinners). Flew with Ryanair. Smoothe and on time. Caught the 6.00pm train in to London. Booked a couple of shows for the next week -- we're going to see "Guys and Dolls" again, and "Mary Stuart", and have already booked to go to "Heroes" which stars one of my favourite actors, John Hurt. Should be a lively week!!!!

Had my hair cut at Figaro's, by Brian, as usual. It had gone really shaggy -- I was in sore need of a trim!!! I'm looking much smarter now, clean-shaven and tight-haired. I used to hate having my hair cut when I was younger -- I found it uncomfortable, and I rarely liked what was done by the various hair dressers I tried, and I didn't like having to chat with the person doing the cutting -- I was VERY shy in my teens!!! No good at small talk at all!!! I'm still not particularly skilled at it, but I've improved a lot compared to how I used to be!! Anyway, these days I don't mind so much. I even look forward to it, though only slightly -- I've never been much bothered about fashion, so I don't get excited by the thought of a new haircut or clothes the way many people do.

Spent the morning getting things in order for my forthcoming UK and Ireland tour. It doesn't start for another week, but I'm heading over to London tomorrow for a week of R&R (and football!!), so I need to have everything in place before I leave. Realised I hadn't sorted out hotels in a couple of the cities I'm going to on the Irish leg of my journey -- yipes!!!!! A quick e-mail to my Irish Collins rep, Moira, sorted that problem out quickly! I'm looking forward to these events. They're mostly just signings, so I don't have to do as much preparation, talking or performing as I did in the States -- I just have to make sure my right hand's in good condition, and I'm ready to go!!!!! I also like the fact that I'll be finishing up my touring for the year in Limerick -- it'll be nice to conclude 2005's events on home turf!!

Hung up the last of my kinetic sculptures (though I have two more on order, to be delivered in the new year!) -- Harmony, a very cool piece, though Phoenix remains my favourite. I didn't read through the instruction beforehand, and ended up putting it up too close to wall -- it has a long reach, and one of the limbs kept hitting the wall!! Had to take it down and re-drill, which was a nuisance -- but it was my own fault for not boneing-up on all the literature beforehand! Pride comes before a fall ...

Added lots more photos to my site today. It's very time-consuming -- first I have to go through all of my snaps and pick out the few I want to use; then I have to scale them down so that they fit comfortably on a computer screen; then scale them down again for thumbnails; then add all the thumbnails to the online folder; then add all the full size photos and come up with caption for them; then put in all the links!!!!! No one part of the operation is particularly lengthy, but combine them all and they quickly start to eat into your time!!!!!! Oh well, I enjoy doing it -- it's nice to re-visit old memories.

Put up a couple of my new David C Roy kinetic sculptures. If you don't know what a kinetic sculpture is, you can find out here: www.woodthatworks.com The pieces I hung this evening are Gepetto and Phoenix. I'm not that fussed about Gepetto, now that I've studied it on my own wall -- it's a nice piece, but the shapes created by the wheels don't fluctuate randomly as they do on other pieces. If I'd spent a bit more time looking at it in the shop I probably wouldn't have purchased. Oh well -- too late now!! I absolutely LOVE Phoenix though -- it's an incredibly cool piece of moving art!!!!

Went to see a stage version of "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4", performed by the Bruiser company from Northern Ireland. Very well acted, and the crowd seemed to enjoy it overall, but it didn't make much of an impact on me. I loved the book when I was a teenager, and read it many, many times, along with "The Growing Pains". But this adaptation either didn't capture the magic of the book, or else I've just turned into a grumpy 30-something who's difficult to please!!!!!!!!

Did quite well in the pub quiz, and came a very respectable fourth out of, I think, 12 tables. Would have been joint third, only I scratched out one of my answers in the last round -- the question was "What does the word Ovine refer to?" I put down sheep, but then stupidly changed it to cows. Sheep turned out to be the right answer -- doh!!!! But I was pleased with myself overall, especially when I got a couple of beauties right! First, I answered correctly that an "oologist" is someone with an interest in eggs!! Then, when asked to state what vegetable is mentioned in the proverb, "You can't butter a ------- with kind words," I put down parsnips. Everyone at the table thought I was mad (to be honest, I did too!), but it was RIGHT!!!!! Heh-heh -- it's always the crazy long-shots which are the most enjoyable when they pay off!!!!!!!

Spent today adding stuff to my web site -- new photos, mainly. Also answered an interview for the Sunday Herald (a Scottish newspaper) by e-mail, and had a lot of other e-mails to get through. Went to see "Wallace and Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" in the evening. Very enjoyable, with a great eye for the small details. My favourite incidentals were the "Rare Bit" shop and when Wallace covered his nude body with a box that said "May contain nuts"!!!!! Have to say, though, I think the short films worked better -- this felt a bit stretched in places. Definitely better than most kid's movies, but they could probably have done it twice as well at half the running time ...