Reader, it has been a complicated year. I’ve had my head down working hard, and as is my tendency when I’m overworked I tend to draw in on myself a bit. I might make passing mention, but I keep my cards close and work on what’s in front of me instead of leaning on the outside world. It’s the way my brain is set up. But it’s been a year. Sometimes I feel a bit self-conscious when there’s not a new novel out (as is the case for 2013), I still haven’t quite managed to arrange things to make this...