Tomorrow I head off to Kuala Lumpur and then Cambodia. The 2012 tour begins. It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I was in Asia, promoting A Clash of Innocents and setting up the writing workshop at Anjali House. That trip was a whirlwind of events and workshops, with a little sight seeing thrown in. This year’s trip will be much different. Slower, quieter, more like going somewhere else to live and work rather than going on a working holiday. But I’m definitely as excited as I was last year, and perhaps just as nervous, although now I’m nervous about different things.

Here’s what I hope to accomplish:
* meeting writers in Malaysia, especially Sharon Bakar and Shivani Siguranathan
* working with the amazing kids at Anjali House
* seeing what it feels like to “live” in Cambodia for an extended time
* seeing whether I continue to feel as if Siem Reap could be a home away from home
* doing revisions on Novel 3 (careful readers will note that I am back to calling it Novel 3, having decided the provisional title isn’t any good, after all)
* finding a Cambodian poet to collaborate with (this is the longest shot of all)
* getting connected to the growing arts scene in Cambodia
* traveling to at least one part of the country I haven’t been to before
* spending time with old friends and making new ones
* giving one or two readings/book signings, especially in Kuala Lumpur

Last year I blogged every step of the way, complete with photos and videos. This year, I hope to do the same, as long as the gods of electronics allow. So to begin with, here’s what I’ve whittled six weeks of clothes, books, equipment, notebooks, office supplies, etc into:

Next time you see me, I’ll be here:

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia