March Roundup

First draft done, March recommendations and more

I blinked and March … disappeared. The big news is, I finished a rough first draft of my new novel. I’m now moving pieces around and making sense of things.

Without giving too much away, the novel is about a woman who returns to Japan in search of healing. It’s a place she’s had a long and meaningful relationship with. I love Japan. I lived there for five years in the early nineties, married into a rather unusual Japanese family, and have returned so many times I’ve lost count. My two sons are my greatest gifts from Japan, and in many ways so is my ex-husband, Chicky. He’s a wonderful human, and I’m deeply grateful for the parenting journey we’ve shared, and the fact that we’re still family.

This novel feels like a love letter to a country that has given me so much. I can’t wait to share more with you.

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Book Queens

For those who love a good online book club, I co-host Book Queens with bestselling author Belinda Alexandra. We have a warm, engaged community on Facebook and host a monthly live book club.

Belinda’s latest novel, The Italian Correspondent is out this week and I’ve read an ARC and LOVE it. I just know everyone else will as well. There will be an online book launch – Sign up to the Book Queens Substack if you’d like to join Belinda, hear from her publisher, and celebrate the release with her.

Books I’ve Read This Month

When I’m in a writing deep-dive, I tend to read non-fiction rather than fiction. So aside from, The Italian Correspondent, which I loved SO much, my reads for the month have all been either research or more unusual personal develoment books. I’ve been enjoying Mitch Horowitz’s books this month, which I’ll dive into more in another post.

Upcoming Events

On Tuesday April 28, I’ll be chatting to Mary-Lou Stephens for the launch of her latest novel, The Hobart Hotel. This is her only Sydney event, held at Dymocks in the city, so grab your tickets asap.

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A Few Things I’ve Enjoyed

Last week, I saw Mel Robbins live … along with 9,000 other readers. I’ll be honest – I haven’t read her books, or listened to her podcast, but a gorgeous girlfriend bought me a ticket for my birthday so we went together. It was a fun night and Mel is an impressive speaker – a personal development rockstar. So, what did I honestly think? She’s likable, and it was great to be in such a huge crowd of people actively wanting to better themselves – but I still feel her teachings are a bit surface level 101 for me. They work for many other people, and I appreciate that.

For regular readers here, you’ll know I’m experiementing with One Photo, where for the next twelve months, I’m more intentional about the photos I take. The rule is simple: one photo at a time. Not five. Not ten. Not a hundred of my dog, twenty of a sunset, a dozen of a group shot when I’m out with friends. Just one. I wrote about it here on a previous substack. So far, I’ve been enjoying this. I’ve been with girlfriends several times since this challenge began, and they’ve all been enthusiastic about trialling only one photo, especially seeing as it’s not digital, so if it’s awful, it won’t end up on socials anyway. (Little do they know …)

This is obviously not a paid promo, but if Hab Shifa ever want anyone to promote their Blackseed oil, call me. I LOVE this stuff. I’ve been using it for over 12-months, during a period of devsastating losses and stress - and not a single sniffle. Blackseed oil supports immune system function, healthy skin, and everyday vitality. I use mine to oil pull in the morning – another great health habit – but unlike other pulling oils, you swallow this. Basically, microbiome health isn’t just about the gut, it’s also in your mouth, so for a great supplement, particularly in winter, this would be my #1.

I read this research paper: Neural and molecular changes during a mind-body reconceptualization, meditation, and open label placebo healing intervention … interesting reading.

Following on from my One Photo challenge and my desire to have more meaningful connections, both online and off, I’m stepping back from a few online spaces. I deleted TikTok last year – I personally think it is a gateway to hell. Now, I’ve deleted my Linkedin. I can’t bear the stupid language used to simply do a job. This meme sums it up best.

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That’s my March roundup. I’m still head down finishing this novel – it’s not the first one I’ve written since Tilda, but I’ll write more about that later.

Love,
Jane xxx