My fellow writing buddy Rachael Johns has tagged me in the “The Lucky Seven” blog challenge. The challenge. Post seven lines from an unpublished work of fiction. I’ve chosen to post from Book 5, (I’m still yet to give it a title, nothing seems to suit at the moment).   In this scene, you meet my leading ladies family. As I’ve only just started writing this book, I’ve taken it from page 7 as page 77 is a long way off!! The Golden Rules: Go to page 7 or 77 in your current manuscript (fiction or non-fiction) Go to line 7 Post on your blog the next 7 lines, or sentences, as they are – no cheating Tag 7 other authors to do the same Extract –Book 5 – p.g. 7 line 7. Allan smiled at both of his kids. “Cheers for tea, it looks great.” After a few mouthful’s Allan cleared his throat. “Sweetheart, are there any flowers

  Okay so my dog Sally has nothing to do with this blog on research, I just needed a nice picture and besides – she is famous after all. Did you know she was on page 3 of the Weekend Australian. Now thanks to Karin, who asked about my research process, I will attempt to share with you how I go about it, research that is. (I’m sorry if you fall asleep whilst reading this.)  When I decide to write about something in particular, say shearing in Heart of Gold, then I research it further.  Seeing as I had worked in a shearing shed, I knew most of it. But I’d never shorn a sheep, or even knew how to do it correctly. Now Lindsay, my male lead character, is a brilliant shearer, so for him to know…I had to know. Yes, I could have thrown on my boots and headed out to the nearest shearing shed to

Not that long ago I blogged about the film crew that was in Pingaring, doing a doco for Penguin. Well it’s finally finished and Andre Sawenko has done a fantastic job putting all the shots together. (Especially my parts…I didn’t give him much to go on lol) So here it is, I hope you enjoy seeing where I live. After all, it’s what inspired me to write.    

I know its been ages since I’ve blogged but lifes just been a little crazy. School holidays haven’t helped, feels like the kids have been home for ages and still they don’t go back until Thurdsay! And now that hockey has started (yes, as I’m typing this my body is hurting) I’ll have even less time for things. But we had a little bit of excitement in out tiny 5 house town last week with the arrival of two fellas from over east. Andre, and his camera man Jono, flew, then drove, to our wheatbelt town to do some filming for Penguin for an online clip.  I was overjoyed that Penguin were putting in the effort but totally freaked out by the cameras. I don’t talk great, I have a brain and mouth which don’t tend to communicate to each other very well. So for the two days I was nervous as hell. (made worse by the

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

A few more pictures have come in so i’ll share these with you.  This first one I’ve actually seen on TV.  And I love the fact that Matthew likes to surround himself with toys, posters and figurines from his favourite movies to inspire him. He looks really happy to be there…sometimes I can’t stand my office and it puts me off writing. Now i’m thinking I should put up some enticing pictures. (and being a romance writer I can get away with a few handsome buff guys hanging around Matthew Reilly is the bestselling author of nine novels and his latest one  Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves  is due out on the 12th of October.  Its amazing reading about him and I love this quote : Matthew Reilly, ‘Ice Station was a direct response to Hollywood action movies. I figured that when you make a movie, you are limited by your budget. Put simply, it costs

This time i’d like to share Lisa Heidke‘s writing spaces.  She’s the lovely author of What Kate did Next, Claudia’s Big Break and Lucy Springer Gets Even. (I’m sure she’s busy writing away on her next book, no doubt using the area’s below) Lisa: “This is where I work when I have to…in other words when I have a deadline and have to put my head down. No distractions! I light a candle, drink tea and type as quickly as I can…so I can go back outside and into the sunshine.” Lisa: “This is where I pretend to work when I’m brain storming – which generally means I’m procrastinating because I’m stuck on a scene or have hideous edits to work through. In other words, I am avoiding doing any real writing. It’s happening a lot at the moment as I chase the spring sun around the garden…laptops have a lot to answer for!” ***

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

Okay, I’m back again with the next round of author’s and their special places.   I was hoping to get this up on Friday but I had to work at the shop. But now I have the whole weekend to put this one together.  This time we’ll start with Cathryn Hein. You would have seen her new book Promises doing the rounds in the papers and displayed in the shops. I was lucky to meet this wonderful lady in person at the RWA conference. (Yes, I met lots of amazing authors there…and i’ll be going again next year lol) Cathryn: “One of my best writing investments has been this work station and chair. I used to work on an overcrowded old square desk with a cheap office chair but found it too uncomfortable. This set-up allows me to have all my notes spread out and within swivel distance, and being under the window means there’s plenty of light.

Hopefully you are eagerly waiting to see into the next few authors private writing spaces…I know I am. I find it so fascinating!  Well I won’t dribble on and make you wait.  Here are the next few: First up I have Rachael Treasure, who is, in my mind, the Queen of the rural genre. Her first book Jillaroo being one of my favourites and her new book The Girl and the Ghost Grey Mare is due out 1st October. Love that the Penguin’s feature Below is her view from the window…I’m jealous! Rachael: “Here is my writing space! Since moving into a two-bedroom house with my two children a year ago I don’t have the luxury of an office or studio anymore. Instead my writing space is set in a tiny corner of my bedroom. I love having my work space here as I can get up and create in the night at any time I