21
Sep 2011

Author spaces

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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!”

***

And another author who is busy with her next book is Bronwyn Parry, who brought us great Aussie romantic suspense with Dark Country and As Darkness Falls. I’m so glad you’re back writing again Bron!

Bron: “One photo is of the dining table, where I work most nights and on cloudy winter days. The other is the old desk in the sunroom, which is a lovely spot to work in on sunny winter days – although I can be distracted by the blue wrens outside the windows, and the kangaroos that often come up quite close, munching on the grass.”

***

I love how most of us have our little window’s or outside places to help inspire us.  Most of my idea’s come when I’m out doing something ‘in the bush’, like the mail run or just driving from one town to the next.

Now if you’d like to join in with our writers spaces, please feel free to drop me an email. I’d love to hear from you. No two ‘writing spaces’ are ever the same. We all have our little ‘bits’ that make our desk’s our own. :)

 

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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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17
Sep 2011

Writing spaces part 3

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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. The chair might look weird but it’s super comfortable. No more aching back! I have more whiteboards – 3 in total – but they’re out of camera shot, as are my overloaded and very messy bookshelves. I was too embarrassed by the state of them to show you!”

***

Mandy Magro is another rural author with her first book Rosalee Station already out. I know she’s already working on book 3, (yep, book 2 already written and will be out next year sometime i’m guessing) so her office must be a happy place to be.

 Mandy: “This is where the magic happens, or so to speak :) Seeing our home is a small 2 bedroom cottage, for now, my office is in the corner of my bedroom…hmph! I love to have photos around me of the people in my life that mean the world to me. My desk is almost taken over by them! The shawl wrapped Grandmother teddy that sits beside my computer was given to me from a very dear friend of mine when my nanna passed away last year. Every time I look at it I have warm memories of all the times I spent with my Nan, kind of like she is watching over me when I write. I have a little Rose Quartz ball which sits in front of the computer, a touch of my spiritual side. Apparently it stops all the nasty computer rays! And seeing I spend so much time in front of the computer I am willing to try anything to stop me from feeling zonked at the end of the day. It may be a small  space but it is my little hideaway where I can lose myself in my fictional world, sometimes while still in my Pj’s…okay…maybe a fair bit of the time while still in my Pj’s. :)”

***

Now I’m very excited to have Monica McInerney on my blog! She has her new book Lola’s Secret due out in October, for release in Australia and Ireland.  This bestselling author dosn’t disappoint with her office view’s either. Just gorgeous!   I’m happy to say Monica has survived the wild and windy of Hurricane Katia in Dublin. (and hopefully she’s back to writing the next book)

Monica: “I write in the attic of our house in innercity Dublin, at a desk tucked in under the roof, with light streaming in through two skylight windows. I have to be careful when I stand up, as the ceiling slopes. I bump my head most days. I started writing my new book Lola’s Secret up here during the December snowstorms, when the view from my window was a winter wonderland. The only sounds I could hear were the fall of snowflakes on the glass and the ticking of the central heating radiators. I wrote draft after draft during spring, and finished the final edits in summer, with the windows wide open. My favourite sound then was the click-click of birds’ feet running across the roof just inches above me. Now I’m starting my new book in autumn, and the clouds are scudding past the window and many of the birds are leaving for warmer climates. The desk is crammed with cups, pens and notebooks, the wall is covered in postcards, photos and a painting of a blue sky, and the floor is piled with paperwork and manuscripts.”

***

Now it seemed a bit harsh to have another author go after Monica’s dreamy snow view of Dublin, so I’ve decided to put my ‘work space’ photo here. (Hey, its only me, I can’t offend myself lol) 

This is my ‘area’ in our office room. The kids have an old school desk in the corner that was once used by me at their age, and at the other end is hubby’s desk area etc. The wall behind me is lined with white cupboards that hold all sorts of sh….crap. (The big silver box under my desk is the golf club secretary box, and the white holder on the side has Progress stuff…but the rest is writing stuff.) And my only craft book Immediate Fiction lol.  I have two special postcards on the side, one from Melissa Doyle and the other from Rach Treasure. They are my ‘OMG I have a postcard from them!’ section. :)

Hope you all enjoyed today’s photo’s. Will have more next week :)

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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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14
Sep 2011

Writing spaces part 2

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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 like. Also the view from the desk is stunning. Sometimes the clouds (often painted with rainbows) that pass across the face of the mountain help me to centre myself, appreciate my blessings and get on with my writing. This is my Heavenly Hill!”
***
I have new author Margareta Osborn Kerby whose first book Bella’s Run is due out early next year by Random House. Keep you’re eyes out for that one. (Another fabulous rural fiction).  And this is where Margareta’s magic happens.

Margareta: “It’s a mess! Haven’t had time to clean it up as I’m in the middle of Book 2. This messy space is home for writing books, keeping books (farm), keeping books (CFA)  and for lot’s of other things in between.
Some of the pictures are the ‘book covers’ my son makes up for me, so I keep the dream right there in front of my eye’s. And my RWA first sale ribbon in the dangly thing on the right – it’s just the best!”

Hmm well if thats messy then i’m a monkey’s uncle! Margareta I don’t know what you’re worried about :)

***

Now for historical romance writer, and favourite Australian Romance Author for 2010, Anna Campbell. I’ve just looked at Anna’s award page on her website…OMG! I’d be happy with one of them :)   Her latest book is Midnight’s Wild Passion.

 

 

I must say I love the bookcase in the next picture, nice and full.

Anna: “Hi Fiona! Thank you for asking me to join in. I love learning about other writer’s work spaces. For many years, I had a desk squeezed into the corner of a tiny little flat in Sydney with a wonderful view of the neighbours’ toilet windows. So you can imagine how much I love that now I have a whole office to myself with storage space and a lovely view of the garden. It’s a place where I keep a lot of stuff that makes me smile like special presents from friends and inspirational postcards and my awards.”

***

And the lucky last today is Fleur Mcdonald of Red Dust and Blue Skies fame. Now Fleur’s work space is a bit different than most. Being a farmer, she dosn’t have the luxury of spending her days by the computer. What do you think…could you write a book this way?

Fleur: “At the moment, it’s ‘harvest time’ for us. Our lambs are ready to go to market, it’s shearing time and, being spring, we have to keep a close eye on the sheep, for flies. We usually try the ‘prevention rather than cure’ method and jet everything. So in saying all of that, it’s very busy and I don’t think I’ve had more than one day out of the yards, over the past month.

 So, insaying all of that, my edits are waiting on the seat of my ute, my computer is my constant passenger (along with our new pup Weazel) and when I’m shifting mobs of sheep down the laneway, I’m able to spend a few quiet moments reading the MS, editing and drinkign cups of tea from my thermos!”

***

So there you have it, a few more different work spaces.  Now I still have more authors to come…Cathryn Hein, Mandy Magro, Jaye Ford, Monica McInerney…so keep an eye out.

Also if there are any authors out there who would like to participate, please feel free to email me your work space and I’d be happy to post it. Cheers :)

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Category: Guest Blogs, The Writer's Life  Tags: , , , ,  10 Comments
12
Sep 2011

Writing spaces – part 1

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I don’t know about you guys, but I love getting glimpses into writers lives. It’s one of the reasons I love reading the acknowledgements in the books I love.  So this is what inspired the next few blogs on ‘writing spaces’.  I have asked a few of my writing friends for a snap shot into their lives and of the special place where our characters are born and our stories are made.

My first author is Nicole Alexander, writer of The Bark Cutters and A Changing Land. She is not just a writer but a fourth generation grazier working on her family property which is located 110 km north west of Moree and 100 km west of Goondiwindi near the NSW QLD border.

 

Nicole: “As I’m easily distracted I make sure I can’t look directly out a window, hence my corner position. Having said that when the floods were on in January I did keep my eyes glued to the Boomi River which is just through the window over my right shoulder. About seven years ago I was looking for a new  desk, eventually  I purchased this one, an actual door and then screwed in legs care of Ikea! Presto the perfect length and width.  I have to admit that I tidied my desk for the shot as I’m a great hoarder of resource material.”

***

Next I have the lovely Karly Lane author of North Star.  We both have a similar ‘glitch’ in our writing…a small thing called children. We love them lots but kids don’t understand it when you’re in the ‘zone’ and need to just finish this chapter. Their bellies are more imporant and as mine always say ‘they are going to die if they don’t get something to eat now’.

Karly: “This is ‘control central’! It’s in the corner of my lounge room where I can see what the kids are up too and if I’m writing at night, I can still be  part of the family…I’ve just had to learn to block out noise and write in short snatches of time, but a set of headphones can solve the noise problem when it gets too bad!

I love my cork boards and if you look closely you might see my little bits of inspiration- scrap cotton picked up from the side of the road out around the Namoi area where I got the inspiration for Morgan’s Law, which you might also see, sitting on my desk going through edits!”

***

Now I bet you’re eager to see more, I know I am.

This next author has a rather different ‘spot’ where she writes.  Helene Young, author of Wings of Fear and Shattered Sky, is a busy pilot. And winner of the Romantic book of the Year award!! (I really like the pilot cap in the picture, Helene. It’s always great that an author knows what she’s writing about.)

Helene: ‘Being in a day job that involves travel has some advantages – someone else vacuums the floor and the towels are always dry – but it’s fortunate that I’m not fussy about where I write. Provided I have power for my laptop, internet connection (for research purposes only, honestly!!) and a comfy seat, I sink into my story and my surroundings disappear.’

***

A huge thank you to these lovely ladies for sharing their writing spaces with us, also the other authors which are yet to come.  (Fleur Mcdonald, Rachael Treasure, Margareta Osborn Kerby and Cathryn Hein.)

Keep an eye out…I have more coming soon.  :)

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08
Sep 2011

Mail run

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My mum is away for the next month so I am doing the mail run again, twice a week. I must say I didn’t realise how much I missed going for a drive around the district and seeing how good all the crops look. Even the dandelions growing in this paddock look gorgeous.

 

I thought i’d take a few photo’s of some of the stops I make as I head off in our trusy wagon called “Monty”.  I deliver milk, hence the blue esky in the back, bread, sometimes orders from the shop and, of course, the mail.

Another stop, this time milk gets dropped off also. Sometimes people forget to pick it up or the wilk animals get to it first.

If we time it right I’ll meet the person and we catch up for a chat.

The mail boxes are usually drums except for a few like the lovely horse and little shed.

Of course these are just a few of my stops.  Hope you enjoyed the little tour. I have someone else filling in for tomorrow so I can go watch my kids at their sports carnival. But come Tuesday, i’ll be back out on the road.

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Category: Everyday Life, Only in the country  Tags:  6 Comments
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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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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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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