I’m in a liminal space, writing-wise, right now. My editor, the wonderful Krystyna Green, is retiring at the end of this year.
Krystyna has been my editor ever since she acquired my books for Constable/ Little, Brown/ Hachette and I will always owe her more than she can ever know. She's cheered, encouraged as well as reined me in over the years and made my books better than they could have been otherwise and it's a little unsettling knowing she won't be casting an eye over any future books!
Thank you, Krystyna!
I hope very much we'll stay in touch, but it's not just personal. It also means my tree history mysteries will be orphaned--I've just handed over the last book of the current contract and, unlike previous occasions, haven't yet signed a new one.
I still hope it'll happen, of course. But things move on and times--and things--change. I feel like the path ahead is uncertain yet exciting. It helps that I've been walking a lot along the Rail Corridor, ever since I found a new 'secret' access route to it.
These are the steps up at the end of Hindheade Walk. Not so easy to find... I've lived here for years now and only been able to get on the Rail Corridor at the Rail Mall or opposite Bukit Timah Plaza (both 30 minutes walk in opposite directions) but this is just ten minutes away from my front gate--greenery, away from the sight, sound, smell of urban traffic and buildings!
And yes, I'm well aware that its insulation is both cause and consequence of its few access points!
The Singapore Rail Corridor is a 26km long right-of-way, along the railway lines that linked trains from the Malaysian Peninsula to Singapore for almost a century.
Now it's a recreational walking route and full of greenery--three times the size of our Botanical Gardens and a space conservationists are hoping to preserve!
I really enjoy walking on the gravel of the former railway lines, especially with the cooler weather we're getting now.
It's ironic that this peaceful space only exists because of the trains and tracks constructed to transport tin, granite and labourers.
It's a good reminder that transformations, however uncomfortable, can birth new value and joy.
In that spirit, even as I hope Su Lin's history tree mysteries get a new contract, I'm already working on ideas for two new books and looking forward to all that this new month and the coming new year will bring.
Right now I'm looking forward to meeting Christopher Grenier-Deferre who'll be in Singapore 3 to 6 Dec to explore locations for filming the series. (I'm not involved, just excited!) and also there's the Science Cafe Murder event coming up this Friday evening-- life is almost too exciting!
I'm only wistful because it feels like I'm coming to another crossroads and this is/ has been such a wonderful phase of my life and I almost don't want to move on because I'm so happy and blessed right now...
But stagnation is death, right?
So we'll move on. But always remembering that a firm foothold in the past is the best foundation on which to step into the future.
As summed up by two of my favourite Yip Yew Chong murals at the Rail Mall--
Happy December Everybody--may this last month of 2024 be your best month yet!
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