Started editing book 6 of "The Demonata" -- the third time I've edited it. This is a key book in the series. It's when all the various plot lines of the first 5 books come together, and readers start to realise precisly what's going on with all these stories. It also sets up the main plot thrust of the last 4 books.

Saw the documentary movie about Metallica, "Some kind of monster" today -- quite apt, given the book I was working on! Metallica are one of my fave bands. I used to be very anti-heavy metal in my teens, until I listened to their Black Album and was blown away by it. I experimented with metal a bit after that, but never really developed a great and abiding love for any other metal band. But Metallica still excite me when they're at their best. The movie's OK, but hard to see it appealing to anyone who isn't already a fan. The scenes of them in therapy are quite surreal!!!

Watching it, I was delighted that, as a writer, I don't have any of the crazy work relationships that wrench at the minds and hearts of many bands. But at the same time I almost envied them. Sure, they drove each other mad much of the time, but when everything was clicking, it was great for them to have others to share the euphoria with. As a writer, you tend to write alone, and others only see your work once it's finished. A good day at the office ... or a bad day ... it doesn't really make much difference, since you've nobody to get excited with or mad at!!! It can be a lonely old life sometimes, but then every writer knows that when they sign up for the job, so there's no use complaining!!! Besides, I know that when I'm out on the road in the States in October, I'll be pining for the solitude and peace of home!!!!!!!