So here we are, in 2009 already. To use the old cliche, I can't believe how fast 2008 shot by, but then it was an exceedingly busy year and, another cliche to hand, time flies when you're having fun!

There were many highlights from last year, but off the top of my head here are a few of the best: doing my first ever festival gigs in Glasgow, Cambridge, Brighton, Hay and Edinburgh; spending the weekend down in Hay with Mum and Jamie; getting a deal for the new series, selling it into the States and writing the next two books; deciding I was going to make a horror film with my sister; going to Centerparks with the gang; Christmas.

I love Christmas, it's my favourite day of the year and this year was no exception. It was quite a quiet one, but really good fun. I spent the morning at Mum's, opening pressies and snacking. Then I popped over to see Dad in the afternoon (although Jamie almost wouldn't let me out of the door)! I haven't spent Xmas with Dad for years so it was great to see him.

New year was quiet this year too. Lynsey and I just chilled out in front of the telly watching the godawful BBC show. I didn't recognise any of the 'celebrities' they had on, or the presenters for that matter. And the music... I mean who was in charge of that?! It's the end of 2008, the start of a brand new year, and what band do they pick to ring in 2009 - Simply Red?! Still, it was good for a laugh.

Yesterday Lynsey, Lucy and I popped out to Cromer in the freezing cold to watch the fireworks from the pier. Jamie would have come, but he sneaked some beer out of the fridge on New Year's Eve so I think he had a hangover... They weren't quite equal to the spectacular show in London, but it was quite magical watching the explosions coming out of the water and raining down from the pier. I ended up queuing outside Mary Jane's fish and chop shop for almost an hour, which was slightly ridiculous, but they do make the best fish suppers. It was a great start to the year anyway!

Anyway, speaking of fish suppers I really do have to lose some weight... Ah yes, you say, I wondered when the new year's resolutions would rear their ugly heads. Well I start my juice diet today, I had a glass of wheatgrass juice and algae for breakfast. No, seriously, I actually did. I tasted like a cow's bottom, but they say it's very good for you. I have to have a six-pack by the end of February or I owe Jamie a small fortune, so I'd better get used to it!

And as for my other resolutions? There's loads I want to do this year, including write another three or four books and produce this horror movie in summer. It's going to be a very busy year, though, with three Furnace books out plus the first one out in the States in October. I can't wait! There are only two months till the first one, whoop!

I hope you all have a wonderful 2009, and that you manage to stick to all your resolutions!