Holiday wishes and a look ahead to 2005

Dear all,

As 2004 draws to a close, may I wish you a Happy Christmas, whatever your religions or beliefs. I'm told by the newspapers that this is politically incorrect, and that I should offer "Season's Greetings" instead, but I refuse to add another madness to a world gone mad! Pretending that Christmas isn't happening is like trying to hide an elephant in the fridge. Unrealistic.

In return, I look forward to receiving good wishes on everyone else's festivals.

My favourite "good news" story of the year was the "peace-bombing" in Thailand when 100 million origami birds were dropped across the Muslim south, carrying hand-written messages of support from the Buddhist north. It may not bring an end to the insurrection, but it was a gallant expression of hope and solidarity.

I have some fine personal memories from the year -- my family's achievements, my trip to Sierra Leone with MSF, the success of Disordered Minds -- but I'm particularly touched that so many of you have written to the web site. I read all your messages, and I'm flattered to have such intelligent and thoughtful readers, even if some of your questions require a thesis by way of answer! To all of you who have ambitions to be published, I shall keep fingers crossed that it happens for you in 2005.

My two most confident predictions for next year are: 1) my new book - a first-person narrative that explores the fringes of war, and what happens when life is so cheap that murders go unnoticed - will be on sale next autumn (a blistering woman-in-danger story!); 2) George W and T Blair will NOT win the Nobel Peace Prize (a blistering reality-check!).

My least confident prediction is that the world will have an attack of common sense and try origami birds instead of bullets. But, hey! Who knows? Perhaps miracles do happen.

All my best, Minette