One of the things I love about my job is that it gives me heaps of time to myself. Which I needed this week.

Last weekend was the Tasmanian Writers and Readers Festival, held at Hadley’s Hotel in the middle of Hobart. It was a great weekend with really interesting speakers, and Hadley’s was a gorgeous place to have it. I went to the launch on Friday evening for the announcing of the shortlists for the Tasmanian Premier’s Awards, as well as several other sessions. I was Mistress of Ceremonies for the launch of Julie Hunt’s terrific new graphic novel Kidglovz on Saturday, and I launched Forty South’s new anthology of short stories on Sunday.

I had a good time and was pleased with how everything went, but after a busy weekend like that it always takes me a couple of days of solitude to find my balance again. (The introverts among you will recognise this phenomenon.) Trouble was, I’d lost a filling, so had to go to the dentist on Monday afternoon.

It was one thing too many. By Tuesday I was snarling at the world. Go away! Leave me alone! Yes, that means you!

(No, not you, Harry. You’re okay.)

Luckily I didn’t have to go anywhere. I could finish the proofread for Fetcher, send it off to the publishers, do a bit of work on extras for the US edition of Sunker and potter away quietly at the new book. While ignoring the phone and pretending I wasn’t at home if anyone knocked on my door.

By Friday I was ready to face the world again.