Archive for the Category »Events «

01
Feb 2012

Holidays

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I had to work for the first three weeks of Jan, running the local shop. But after that I headed straight down to the coastal town of Hopetoun, south WA.  It was just gorgeous as the kids and I went swimming the moment we arrived. (Hubby had farmers still harvesting so he couldn’t join us until his bin was closed.)

We stay in the caravan park and I love the thick bushes that make it nice and private. We have a onsite van so I only have to open the door without too much fuss. So needless to say I got straight down to typing (after the swim of course) and I didn’t have to worry about the kids. Gotta love a nice safe park thats right on the beach.  Without any housework, bored kids or internet distractions writing was my main focus and I managed to write 11,000 words in the four days I was there.  It got me thinking about heading down more often. It’s only 2.5hr drive from my place…really I should go down for weekends more often!! Or at least start using it more as a writers retreat.

Then we headed off to Esperance for another five days to catch up with family. The kids uncle works on the port and they loved seeing the huge ships come in to load. Another crowd favourite was Sammy the Seal. Kinda nice hanging out by the jetty.

But this was my son’s favourite by far.  He was just taken with the little steam engine.

And one of the highlights for me, besides spending quality time with the family, was catching up with Fleur McDonald. Living in the middle of nowhere makes it hard to personally catch up with other writers so we weren’t going to miss this opportunity. Over lunch we talked all things writing and publishing. And yet there was still not enough hours to cover all the things we could have talked about.  Fleur lives in a beautiful part of WA and seeing as we have family in Esperance I’m sure we’ll get to catch up again soon.

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Category: Events, Everyday Life, Family, The Writer's Life  Tags: , ,  One Comment
04
Jan 2012

Loretta Hill

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I’m am very excited to have Loretta Hill on my blog! It’s great to have a fellow WA author, even better to have one that writes the type of book I love. 

I met Loretta back in 2009, I think it was, at a RWA conference we had in Perth. Out of all the people I met, I recall talking to her and about the story she was writing. It sounded fab, even back then. I couldn’t remember her name, but I remembered the story. (I lost my ability to remember after having my kids!)

I’m so excited that Loretta now has this wonderful book out, The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots. The title had me at Steel-Capped.

I’ve asked Loretta a few questions, so we can get to know her a little better. Thanks Loretta!!

Okay, so lets start with the nitty gritty. Where were you born, raised and schooled.

 I was born, raised and schooled inPerth. I’ve lived for short stints in other parts of Australiabut have always returned toPerth. I love my home town.

 What made you become an engineer? What are some of the highlights of your career?

 I kind of fell into it. I’ve always wanted to be a writer but I needed a plan B and engineering just sort of  happened. I know that’s hard to believe…. My father is an engineer so he was a big influence and I was actually pretty good at maths and science at school. I got the grades to do engineering, so I thought what the heck, what else am I going to do while I’m waiting to be published?  (Which in hindsight was a rather naive of me considering engineering then proceeded to consume most of my life for the next eight years.)

 It did allow me to see a lot ofAustralia. Particularly places I wouldn’t not normally travel to on a whim… like the Pilbara. I’ve also worked on big construction sites inQueensland  and in little one street towns, like Wiluna situated right in the centre of WA.

 Although, I’m on maternity leave at the moment, I do intend to go back to engineering again part time. There are many aspects of it that I enjoy. And it would actually cost me a pang now to give it up completely.

 With mining being a big thing in WA, I’m really looking forward to reading The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots. Please tell us a bit about it and when its release date is?

 This story centres around a young female engineer who gets sent to the outback to live and work on a construction site with three hundred and fifty guys. She struggles! She’s a very girlie girl, very city orientated and it’s a bit of a shock dealing not only with the job but the wildlife, the male chauvinists, the lack of privacy and the one man she’s supposed to impress but who thinks she’s a joke.

 There’s a lot of big issues in this book, sexual harassment, isolation, broken families and definitely falling in love but I’ve tried to focus on the lighter side of being locked into a situation that’s just out of your comfort zone. I love writing comedy, so there’s plenty of dry Aussie humour in there.

 “The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots” is out January 2nd , 2012.

Yes, and people are already reading it….I am yet to get my copy and I’m feeling rather sad that I have to wait! The teaser had me sucked in.

 This is your first mainstream book Loretta, so how did it all happen?

 The engineering project in my novel was real. It was a project I actually worked on as a graduate. I was very homesick when I was on the Pilbara and to get through the day I used to write an email home to my family every morning. My mum printed them all, put them in a file and gave them back to me when I got home. She was adamant I had to somehow turn it into a novel. I couldn’t at first because I was too close to the subject matter and couldn’t make the characters fictional. Nearly ten years on, I found the file of emails again and made a second attempt. That’s how “The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots” was born.

 When did you start writing and how did you go about getting published?

 I started writing stories almost as soon as I could write. I wrote most of my way through high school and university, just for my own enjoyment. When I got my first job after graduation, I started writing at night after work with a serious intention to finding a publisher. My first novel was published with Avalon Books New York in 2009. This is a short contemporary romantic comedy set inSydneycalled, “Kiss and Tell.”

  How did you find out your ms had been accepted?

 I received both offers for publication, (“Kiss and Tell” and “The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots.”) via email. I’ve never received, “the call” so to speak. But I think it was probably better that way given there was a lot of screaming and dancing going on.

 Have you used many of your own experiences for this book?

 Yes, I had a lot of anecdotes to draw from, some are my own, some are of people I knew. I just put my fictional characters into the same situation and imagined how they would react to it. I still have heaps of material left over. “The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots” may be getting a sequel J

 How do you find time to write when you have 3 kids under the age of 4? Do you have a routine or do you go with the flow?

 I have no routine or schedule that can’t be broken at a moment’s notice. Basically I write around my kids whenever there’s a spare half an hour here and there. It is difficult and slow going but I guess till they are a little older this is just something I will have to deal with.

 Do you have another book in the pipeline?

 I definitely do.  I’m writing it at the moment. It’s set in my other favourite place inWestern Australia– The Margaret River Wine Region.

 Oh, I can’t wait for that one. Margaret River ares is just gorgeous.

Being a busy mum and a writer, do you get time to read and what’s on your TBR pile?

 I get very little time to read. My TBR pile is enormous!!! And it grows faster than it shortens if you know what I mean.

 Just recently added was Lola’s Secret by Monica McInerney and The Bark Cutters by Nicole Alexander. I just finished reading Cathryn Hein’s debut, Promises. It was lovely.

 And lastly, in one word describe your strongest trait? Determined.

Thank you so much for sharing with us Loretta. Check out Loretta’s website for details on book signings.  I know I’ll be getting one to add to my collection. 

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Category: Events, Guest Blogs  Tags: , , ,  8 Comments
17
Dec 2011

Xmas lights – Outback style

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So a couple of our locals came up with a competition to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. A notice went out to everyone, come and join in our Farm Gate Lights Competition.

By friday night we gathered under the tree, our five house town now thriving with people.

We fired up the barbie, cooked a few snags and fed the hungry mass as we waited until it was time to load up the bus!

7.3o we climbed aboard! All the seats were full! (Yes we were a little surprised at the great turn out) So then we were left in our wonderful drivers hands. Thanks Tess for the use of your bus and being our driver…we were louder than your average bus run!!

On our way we had a rough floodway to navigate but lucky our bus-hostess, Mark, guided us to the exits, our crash position and where the gas masks would fall from. (There is always one in the crowd!) :) :)

Our first stop, which took us twenty minutes to get to, was Uralla Farm. Kids crammed out of the bus to see the lights to the sound of the generator in the background. The bus was also needed to light up the sign on the right. It was so exciting to see their driveway so bright. 

Then it was time to fit back on the bus and head to the Murray’s farm gate, with a very loud 3 cheers for Jensen’s lights.

As we arrive the bus occupants made a collective ‘oooh’ as we saw the lights. The kids bus shelter was covered in lights and ‘blow up’ santa was looking great. It looked like you could land a plane with the lights leading down the driveway. On the left side the mail box was covered in lights, holding another santa inside. Eventually we squished back on the bus, making sure no kid was left behind, and had another round of 3 cheers!

Our third stop was to the Thompson’s farm gate.

The kids love this Santa, and such a great job. (He was internally made out of wire) Every present that was in and around the mail box was shaken…just in case it was real!!

The Thompson’s mail box has just only had a face life, normally white, and just by chance the new paint matched the xmas colours! Well done!

Another round of applause and we headed to our last farm gate, the last three were ‘townies’.

At the Garard’s driveway there was even more surprise and amazement at finding something new.

Here we had Santa’s buggy being pulled by a lone wooden reindeer. (Not sure who made the reindeer, maybe it was the only log they had?!?!)

Next we stopped at the old school house. There was a few complaints that they shouldn’t be included because they had power sources!!!

 

And ours was next.

 

And the last house I didn’t get a photo because up on their roof with their lights was the REAL santa!! He was all dressed up and walking across the roof. The kids went wild, screaming at Mrs Silver to turn her bus around!!! But by the time we got back there he had gone. Must have been checking out the chimney.

We pulled back in under the tree at nearly 9pm, the bright lights from the fire truck flashing like we had a night disco on, and we all fell out…filed out. But only after we had all voted for the best one. The winner will be announced tonight at our local Christmas Tree.

It was a fantastic night, filled us all with Christmas cheer and excitment. I’m sure next year we will have a bigger and better comp, with folks already thinking about what to do! (We might need a few more vehicles to get around in too)

It’s amazing what you can do with a generator and an imagination. Well done to you all!!

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Category: Events, Everyday Life, Only in the country  Tags: , ,  2 Comments
09
Dec 2011

More Flood Pics

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Here is just a few more photo’s I took while driving around.  It’s just amazing to see so much water.

Silvie, the boarder collie, checks out the water.

This picture is of the driveway to my uncles farm, which we call Kate’s.

 

All the water makes for some nice pitures.

On Burngup Road, you can see the fence on the left which has been swept over the road.

This is what is left after the water drains away. This is just one section of washed out railway.

I went walking this morning with my mum down past Bakers to Byass’s where the water has ripped up all the bitumen across the road, swept all the fences on both sides of the road away and turned the wheat crop to mud. I wanted to go see how the wheat looked up close but it was still soaking in water and I was worried i’d get my feet bogged. I guess a few weeks and we’ll know whats left of the crops.

Most of the water has all run away, following the gully’s and filling up all our dry salt lakes. So soon I will have some lake pictures for you. In my next book The Road Home, the characters go skiing on a lake just out of Kulin. :)

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Category: Events, News, Only in the country, The Farmer's Life  Tags: ,  One Comment
05
Dec 2011

Xmas Shopping

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This weekend just gone, I went with a friend to Perth where we shopped for 47 kids for our local Christams Tree.  We are going down in numbers but for a 5 house country town we still get a massive turnout each year with past and present folks. It’s the 86th Christmas Tree in a row and a huge event for us with hundreds coming. So, here we were running around getting the biggest and the best gifts (we help Santa…our kids think we are very cool) and we have a $ limit we have to stick to. But while doing this we are also fitting in our own last minute xmas shopping. (and a few extra’s like plants!!) Needless to say the massive 7 seater car was packed to the roof!  (Also lots of lights – After all we are having a farm gate lights competition this year.)

Below is just a few things we got.

Also I thought it would be appropriate to share this poem on xmas shopping with you.

Xmas Shopping – by Lorna Madson

The list gets longer and the cards have been sent,

Your hard earned savings are about to be spent,

Year after year you always say,

There’s got to be an easier way!

But you haven’t yet fount it and it’s always the same,

When you play the Xmas shopping game,

So with list in hand and money in pocket,

You set off up the street like a rocket,

There’s never enough time to do this job,

And you’re always conscious of spending a bob.

What to buy who and who to buy what,

You hope there’s no-one you forgot,

The shop assistants try their best,

To put your patience to the test.

That would be good, but it’s just too dear,

And you gave them one like that, last year,

She wouldn’t use this and he’d never wear that,

Your back starts aching and your feet feel flat.

By the time you’re finished, your head’s in a spin,

You feel weak and your wallet feels thin,

Then you take it home and gift wrap it all,

And put it beaneath the tree standing tall.

And you realise on Xmas day,

It was worth the effort in every way,

For they’ll smile and say thankyou, whether or not,

They’ve got six more at home of what they just got.

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Category: Events, Only in the country, Poetry  Tags: ,  Leave a Comment
19
Sep 2011

More writing spaces

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My next author has some very amazing writing spaces. (I’m jealous of these authors who get to mix travel and writing.) I’m so excited to show you Tony Park’s work areas. Tony writes about Africa so vividly in his books, you can tell he loves it. African Dawn is his latest book, which is going great guns. Thanks for sharing, Tony :)

Tony: “I write all my novels ‘on location’ in southern Africa. My wife, Nicola and I spend six months of each year in Africa and while most of our time is spent camping in our tent, occasionally we lash out and spend a night or two in a self-catering bungalow in the Kruger National Park, like this one. You can see the reality of life on the road intruding in the form of the washing up hanging behind me.”

 

Tony: “OK, so this is a staged PR shot of me at work, in Zimbabwe, which I had taken for an article the Sydney Morning Herald did on me. I don’t really work out under the blazing sun in the middle of a swamp. The Herald wanted a pic of me in a savannah and as there weren’t any savannahs in downtown Harare, where we were at the time, this tiny local wildlife park had to suffice! I usually work under an awning or in my tent, with the doors open and a view out over the bush. I often see game walking past – impalas, elephant, sometimes the odd warthog usually. Once, in Zimbabwe, I was tapping away at the laptop and looked out towards a waterhole about 200 metres from where we were based and watched a pride of seven lions bring down a buffalo. It’s hard not to be inspired working in the great outdoors in Africa, and there’s no excuse for writer’s block.”

 

Tony:  “Nicola and I go out for a game drive, looking at animals, just after dawn most mornings. Generally we come back to camp before it gets too hot, and that’s when I work, but sometimes we spend the whole day out in the bush.In some of the places we go you can get out of your car (though generally this a no-no). This dam in the Kruger National Park is one of my favourite places. It’s on a 4×4 trail and you are allowed out of your vehicle for a break. I was working here just the other day, on the laptop, watching hippos and crocs while I wrote. I draw a lot on the natural environment and the locations I’m in for my books. I worked off the laptop’s two-hour battery, which is a good way to ensure I get my daily quota of 2000 words done quick-smart!”

Hmm two hours for 2000 words. I guess you’re a fast typer Tony. I bet its easy to get distracted watching the wildlife and have the battery gone before you know it.

***

And to finish off this blog, to return us to the Aussie shores, is Jaye Ford. I got to read Jaye’s first novel Beyond Fear through my local bookclub and it was well worth the scary nights. 

Jaye:  “I wrote for years from a tiny desk in our family room so when Beyond Fear sold, I knocked out a wall under the house and created this fabulous office. As you can see, I’ve learnt how to spread myself out! It’s tucked into the back of an old rumpus room like a cave and gets called the Bat Cave or the Slave Cave, depending on how the writing is going. I love the wrap around desk and wall behind that keeps everything in arms’ reach. And for inspiration, there’s also a huge wall of books on one side and a window across the room that looks onto our front garden.”

Thanks Jaye, I love the look of your ‘slave cave’. I don’t think we’d care where we had a room, just as long as we had a ‘quiet’ place to write.

I have maybe one more blog to do, so keep an eye out for some more author’s spaces!!

xx

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Category: Events, Guest Blogs, The Writer's Life  Tags: , , ,  5 Comments
17
Sep 2011

Amazing people

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Just a quick blog to do a ‘shout out’ to Cathryn Harris who has won the SA – Nokia Business Innovation Award for 2011.  

As the Mount Gambier Library manager, I met Cathryn earlier this year when she organised for me to travel to their amazing library to talk about my recent book.  It was a very quick trip, all I could allow with young kids, but none the less it was still a highlight! I was spoilt by Cathryn and her staff. So it’s come as no surprise that she has won this amazing award. 

The library is very special and I wish we could all have one just like it. (I would live in it all day just about!!)   So a huge hug for all your effort and ‘Congratulations, Cathryn.”

 “No longer places where everyone has to be quiet, libraries are busy information centres that focus on customers and offer a place to meet friends for coffee, use the Internet and, of course, find the latest thriller.” – Cathryn Harris

“Believing a library is much more than books in a building, Mount Gambier Library Manager Cathryn Harris has created an exciting community hub that invites discovery. After convincing the Council in 2005 that it needed to invest $10 million in a complete library revamp, Cathryn set about gathering ideas and inspiration for programs to draw, involve and enthral her community. The Mount Gambier Library is now designed on the latest book retailing trends, with a fully integrated cafe, giving it the look and feel of a social bookstore. Its community offerings include: mentoring workshops where at-risk youth meet local business people; reading and play sessions for children and babies; IT lessons; family history programs; and Sunday farmers markets. A self checkout system was also installed to free staff for community activities. Cathryn says employees have embraced the changes through retraining and increased job satisfaction. Most importantly, library visits have increased four-fold since Cathryn’s changes were implemented.”

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28
Aug 2011

All over for another year.

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Yes, it’s all over. Two full days sitting behind this table chatting to people from all over and signing books. Three nights camping in the freezing cold, thank goodness for eletric blankets!  And most of all thank goodness for mum who came along to help. Bringing regular hot cuppa’s and watching the stall while I ducked off for a look-see. (Thanks mum!) It also helped sharing our stall space with two lovely people,George and Gabby.  I didn’t get to see too many people I knew but the lovely Rachael Blair (Rach Johns) and her three gorgeous boys, stopped by for a quick hello.

I ran a competition for those who wanted to enter for a chance to win both my books and I drew it yesterday.

The winner of both books is :

Liz Marcus from Greenmount. Books will be posted at the start of next week Liz.

And I also did a runner up draw and this went to:

Veronica Donegan from Toodyay.

Congrats to you both.

Everyone packed up and gone.

I had lots of people asking when the next book is due out. I can tell you all it will be about April next year. Cover design is getting underway at the moment, I believe. And I’m off to get some more of the edits done. Up to page 232 of 310! I can see the last page coming closer….

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Category: Books, Events, Giveaways, Only in the country  Tags: , ,  5 Comments
19
Aug 2011

RWA Conference

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Finally we are back from travelling all around.  We visited sunny QLD with an quick stop at the Gold Coast to see Movieworld. A treat for the kids (and us). Only problem was my six year old son begging me to go on the Scooby Doo ride! Heck, I never would have gone if i’d known. Lets just say he handled his first major rollercoaster ride better than I did. He was begging for another go…strangely there were no takers. 

We then flew up to Townsville to stay with my brother, sis-in-law and my two gorgeous nephews. Loved being back in shorts!! We borrowed their car for a few days and went for a drive up to the Daintree. It was so beautiful…i’m a rainforrest kinda girl. Totally loved the green…didn’t love carrying our 8year old everywhere due to a badly twisted ankle before we left.  (We tried to think of it as weight training…although hubby did most of it. Some of those forrest walks are hard enough lugging my own body around.)

Next we headed down to Melbourne. (Wish I had frequent flyer points!!)  The main reason for our trip was so I could attend the Romance Writers of Australia Conference.

Here is Helene, Bron, myself and Margareta. I couldn’t wait to meet these ladies. I finally got to meet Margareta in person. A wonderful lady who I connected with instantly. Her first rural book will be out next year called Bella’s Run. Keep an eye out for it. 

It was great to see Bronwyn Parry, and Helene Young again.         

I’m delighted that Helene’s first book WINGS OF FEAR has been awarded the Australian Romantic Book of the Year(R*BY) award, run by the Romance Writers of Australia. Her fellow finalists in the ‘Romantic Elements’ Category were Dianne Blacklock and Monica McInerny.

It was a great time to catch up with the lovely ladies from Penguin, and I got a chance to chat edits with Ali. So much nicer to discuss in person.  I wouldn’t be where I am now without the fantastic support from Ali. (I am soooo lucky)

I meet Kathryn Ledson, who has just been signed up by Penguin and Cathryn Hein who had pre-release copies of her new book Promises available. Yes, I grabbed one and got it signed. I’m reading it and loving it.  It’s out in the next few weeks so make sure you add it to your tbr pile.

I meet so many wonderful, generous, friendly ladies at the conference and i’d love to mention them all. Especially all the tweet friends i’ve made and can now put faces to. It’s so exciting to share the excitement of first sales, like my fellow WA buddy Rach.

Here she is receiving her ‘first sale’ ribbon. 

So you could imagine the amount of catch ups, book talk, publishing talk, everything under the sun talks…I lost my voice on the last day of the conference. :(

But we were also there for sessions…not just the networking. (I think a lot of us just wanted to spend the day drinking coffee and talking…there was just not enough time to catch up with everyone. 350 people!)  I sat in on many sessions from Bob Mayer and Susan Wiggs, to listening to wonderful speeches from Marion Lennox (who had us laughing) and Jane Porter (who gave an emotion speech that was really beautiful). 

I really loved meeting Kelley Armstrong and found her session really helpful as I have a first draft YA book already done and plans to get back to that one day when my busy life lets me…or I let myself.

The conference was the best four days and it was hard leaving all those wonderful friends. But I am looking forward to it again next year, this time on the Gold Coast and in 2013 – Perth!!! Home court advantage :)

But for now the edits have arrived just this morning for The Road Home. So I will  hide myself away trying to get them done…in between spending next week at the Dowerin Field Days mind you.

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Category: Events, News, The Road Home  Tags: , ,  3 Comments
20
Jul 2011

Dowerin Field Days

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Once again I am heading north to Dowerin.  I went two years ago with my first book and had a blast!  It was so huge, two days jam packed full of things to see. (Not that I had much of a chance at seeing half of it as I was busy signing books and chatting to people) But my dad and hubby took both days to see everthing on offer.

 It’s mostly a country crowd, leather boots and jeans, cowboy hats and caps, but Dowerin isn’t far from Perth so city folks also attend.  If you are thinking about going, please come into the lifestyle pavillion and drop by for a chat and enter the competition to win both books.  We camp out for two days, and if I remember correctly it gets very cold at night so will remember to pack ugg boots and beanie!

But before I get to Dowerin, we are flying to Townsville to visit my brother and sister-in-law and my two nephews (totally excited…I haven’t seen them in ages) and can’t wait to sight see. (and wear shorts again!)  Then we fly to Melbourne so I can attend the Romance Writers Australia conference. 

It will be AMAZING…as always.  I’m soooo looking forward to it and catching up with the lovely ladies I have met through RWA.  Don’t worry I’ll be carting a heap of books over to be signed and taking hundreds of pictures.  (Will have to be selective with my baggage limit on plane…bummer) Also I will be meeting up with the lovely ladies from Penguin, my publicist, editors and authors.  I’m beyond excited to be among them all.  Still have to pinch myself!! It’s what dreams are made of.  :)

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