We are finally starting to feel at home here in Kuala Lumpur. We have found the grocery stores and unpacked all the boxes and even managed to put our Indonesian carved wood artworks on the walls. (The picture is the view from our living room, I just love the green and blue hills surrounding Kuala Lumpur here in the Klang Valley.)
And last week I was able to dive into my manuscript for my next novel! I tweaked it a little bit and worked on some parts that needed a bit more polishing, and I am happy to report that this week I am finally able to say that I have the first draft finished! Yay!
My head is already spinning with new book ideas, and even though it is always a little sad when the work on a book you love nears the end, it is such great fun to think about the next one!
I am looking forward to settle into our life here in Kuala Lumpur so that I can dive into the next book. The one I just finished was a real challenge to write at times, especially since we moved two times, which always takes a lot of work (especially to a new country!), but we also travelled a lot, and I find it difficult to write when we are on the road. It is inspiring for sure to experience new places, but very difficut to actually get some work done. And I think I am the kind of writer who is happiest when I see the story grow every day, totally immersed in the writing.
So now my question is: what to write next? I can’t wait to start outlining possible storylines, and ponder characters and scenes. Truth be told, I have already started, even though it’s not written down yet. So we’ll just see who speaks the loudest in my head coming days and weeks. 🙂
And oh, if you follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, you already now this, (I have not mentioned it here on the blog I believe,) but in January I signed up with Abrams Artists Agency, Literary Division in New York, who now represents me. I was contacted by my literary agent David Doerrer after he found Beautiful Affliction on Amazon, some ten weeks after publication. A week later my book hit #3 on The Wall Street Journal bestseller list and I was contacted by a number of agents, but I felt that Abrams would be the right fit for me. Exciting times!
Thanks for swinging by my blog, and wishing you beautiful days my friends,
Cheers,
Lene
Such fun to follow you in this adventure, and I’m looking forward to the next book! I’m guessing it will be fiction this time?
Yes, it will be fiction, a pretty crazy story set in Jakarta where East meets West and modern-day urban Jakarta meets ancient myths of Java… But readers of Beautiful Affliction will recognize the themes of family and struggle and heartbreak, even though this book is more on the lighter side…
Just correcting the spelling of my last name in this post!
I noticed your last name had an interesting spelling going on 🙂
Åh så spännande, ser fram emot mer härlig läsning. Vill gärna se mer bilder från hem och omgivningar.
Jag kanske skulle göra ett litet “hemma hos”-reportage… 🙂
Lene– Wishing you happiness in your new abode, your new home. Finished reading the beautifully written Beautiful Affliction last evening, and while there is much I could say about your touching memoir, the only comment I’m going to make is about the incredibly competent and deeply caring Anders: Greater love hath no man. The image of his staying by your side, willing you to live, his hand on your forehead, will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you so much Barbara! Such a relief to finally be in our new home. And thank you for your kind comments about Beautiful Affliction, I agree, Anders is amazing!
Beautiful views, beautiful family, beautiful home, Beautiful Affliction, Can´t wait: what is next!
Love
🙂 🙂 ♥
I read this post back when you put it up, but now I actually remembered (and had a moment) to comment. I’m so happy you’ve had a chance to wrestle that novel into a complete draft! I’m so looking forward to reading it. And what exciting times for you, especially now that you’ve signed with an agency! I’m not surprised at your success – I still get chills thinking about your book. But I’m starting to forget all the details so I’m thinking it’s time for a reread soon. =) Oh, and have fun choosing your next story! Send some good writing vibes my way – I need them. =)
Thanks for commenting, I know you must be incredible busy, and I really appreciate your support. I was just thinking, in light of you winning the Michael Hyatt contest with your brilliant submission, that you truly have a unique take on things and an interesting voice to infuse in your writing. I am happy to send some good vibes, especially after all the good vibes you so generously have been sending me! Here they come: <3 <3 <3 And some hugs for good measure!
I’m so glad I finally remembered to check back here to see if you replied to my comment – thank you so much for those kind words, the encouragement, and the good vibes! I need it all. 🙂
🙂 ♥
Hi Lene 🙂
Sorry, I tend to disappear, then appear, then disappear… you know, we ghosts 😉
These are all fantastic news. I’m so excited for your new book, it sounds awesome. Do you already ahve an idea when it will be available? You sound like you’re almost done!
Hi Sarah, always happy to hear from you, and I understand we all have a lot on our minds. 🙂 You just launched your book, congratulations again! And I don’t know yet when my new book will be available, it’s now in the editing phase, so not quite done… 🙂