Obsessions or Intense Interests?

I'm having a good day. Two stories sent off yesterday, because I thought I'd better show a good example. So today is dedicated to sorting out the chronology of my novel. One disadvantage to working the way I do is that, with this novel in particular, I have to shift things around so the time line is right. My character has a number of jobs, a number of boyfriends, and kills a number of people, and I need to be clear what happens when! The wonderful thing is, I found the exercise book I named "Almanac of Events" (you see how much I like almanacs!) where, when I wrote the book some years ago, I listed all the events in relation to how old my character was. I found it! It was buried under kid's drawings, kid's toys, kid's shoes, old envelopes and a very odd looking misshaped ball I can't quite identify.
It struck me as I began to edit the novel that I try to avoid including my own obsessions in my stories, if only to distance myself a little from the characters. When reading Brian's entry, from Feb 12, about the trains he loves, I wondered if he used trains in his writing, used his knowledge of them to inform his work.
I guess we can't help our true knowledge showing. But if we include our own obsessions, likes and dislikes, does this make the character autobiographical? Is there anything wrong with that? I find writing a character who, for example, loves liver and other offal for dinner quite a challenge. Much easier to have someone who loves cheese on toast, lasagne, tomato soup and lemon meringue pie.
Does anyone have an obsession they can't help writing about?
Kaaron

The anthology is becoming more real

A few days ago, the ISBN arrived, and today we got the quote from the printers. Now, I'm not saying that I wasn't aware I was editing an anthology. In the past couple of weeks we've been proofing, finalising the layout, organising the pre-launch launch and doing PR. But having the ISBN and the quote have made me realise in around a month there is going to be a book. A real, live, honest-to-God book. A book that I can hold in my hand. A book with my name on the cover. And people are going to read it. There won't be any more opportunity to work on it. There won't be any more changes to make. I won't be able to change my mind about anything. It will be done. Finished. And I don't mind admitting, I'm more than a little nervous about it.

It won't be the first time it's been read. All the stories were read in the beginning by my team of readers. My team of proofers have all read large sections of it. Brian Smith, who is doing the internal illustrations, and Sean Williams, who will be officially launching it, have both read the entire thing. But there's always been the knowledge that should Brian or Sean or any of the others say 'You know what, Nicole, that's crap', then I could do something about it. But D-Day approaches, and there won't be anything I can do. It might be the most God-awful thing every created, and I can't change it.

Oh dear, now I think I'm moving into panic. Is this typical of first time authors/editors?

The thing is, I'm still really happy with how things have turned out. In the process of proofing, I'm reading the entire anthology from go to woh, and I'm still loving the stories, still being touched, still having a giggle. So really, I shouldn't be concerned. I know some people will hate it, but just as many if not more people will love it. If they don't, I'll come and rip their arms off!

I think part of the problem is that I've had such a great time working with my authors, I really don't want it to be over. The process of editing really worked for me, I found it fulfilling and interesting and very enjoyable. So much so that I'm mulling over ways to do another anthology. In fact, I'm finding myself quite jealous of Cat Sparks and the regular work she does with the Agog anthologies. But I need to bed this one down properly, before I start making grand plans. And there is Issue 25 of ASIM to consider as well.

If any of you have no plans for March 18 and you're in Canberra, come by for the pre-launch launch. We're have a big party to celebrate the printing of the anthology and to thank all the CSFG for supporting it, and as with all good parties there will be food, drink, music and games. Yes, games. Otherwise, if you're going to be at Conjure, keep lunchtime on Saturday free for the official launch. Apart from the yummy Sean Williams, there will be readings by some of the authors, food, drink and hopefully more games.

Oh, and just in case you hadn't seen it, here's a link to our trailer. Yes, I said trailer. One of my authors, Steven Cavanagh, is a software developer and he whipped this up during lunch one day. Now, that's talent! http://stevencavanagh.50webs.com/Outcast2.swf

Nicole