Category Archives: Writing Update

I ran away from my computer…

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I turned off the computer around Saturday lunch time and didn’t turn it on until this morning. Monday. Over 24 hours without a word typed or an email read. It was heaven–and felt like a guilty indulgence.

Saturday morning I made carrot muffins. (This was when I was still kidding myself that I’d be writing thousands of words over the weekend and just needed to fuel up.) They were awesome. Lots of shredded carrot, and cinnamon and ginger for spice. I don’t use a recipe, since muffins are so forgiving. You just top up flour or milk to get the right consistency. Then through the rest of Saturday I ate far too many and re-read Terry Pratchett’s Unseen Academicals. He really is a writing god.

Sunday was sunshiny and lovely. Vitamin D was acquired, i.e. I sat around in the sun doing nothing. I made chicken stock, simmering for 4 hours, which is only something I do when I’m not doing anything else. I don’t know why stock (which looks after itself) strikes me as something I have to keep an eye on. Maybe one day I’ll get over it.

Toby, the golden retriever, got brushed and generously shared his fur. In retrospect, black sweatpants were not the wisest clothing choice on my part. But Toby looked lovely at the end of the process.

I checked the progress of my daikon–still looking like weeds. And how the tomatoes were ripening–really well, given that this is winter.

Can you pick the theme? I basically lazed away the weekend, and it was the best decision I’ve made in ages. As committed as I am to my word goals for the month (don’t ask! they’re insane), a break to renew my energy was a great idea.

And now, off to write! I hope you had a lovely weekend, too :)

Stormy Weather

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Here’s a photo to scare you away from ever visiting Perth — not that I want to do that!

Perth storm clouds

Perth storm clouds

but then the clouds cleared (for a while) and I had an absolutely lovely lunch with some writer friends. Honest to goodness, authors! I think we scared the waiter ;)

I know one creature unfazed by the promised wild weather …

gull

On the positive side, the storms are bringing much needed rain. Toby, my dog, would however like to point out that rain without thunder is possible and would be much preferred. So you have your orders, weather gods!

I’ve been writing. My steampunk romance short story, “Befogged”, is sub’d to Ticonderoga Press’s Kisses by Clockwork anthology. After struggling for inspiration on this one (aiming at an emotionally satisfying romance in 3,000 words is tough), I ended up going for something less heavy on the romance and angst, and much heavier on gadget fun and some tongue-in-cheek history and fictional references. However, that fun inspired an idea for a full length novel. Aaargh! I do NOT have time to write a steampunk novel this year … unless I clone myself. I’m considering it!

My SF story is proving ridiculously difficult to write. I say “ridiculously” because the issue is that its world has become all too real to me. So I’m struggling to make the characters behave and allow me to pull the many tangled threads together for the surprise-twist ending that is the point of the story. But this is a good problem to have — characters living, breathing and tantruming.

Then with all decks cleared, I want to write Brodie’s story as fast as I possibly can. I’ve been thinking of this story for months, so I can’t wait to dive in. I’m determined that this time I will crack the  50,000 word barrier that is haunting me. I can write longer length, and I will!

 

 

 

Oblivious

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So I’m writing this while according to science there’s a partial eclipse happening outside the window.  I hadn’t noticed. Oops. Let’s blame the cloud cover.

Have you noticed how once you start writing (or reading) you enter another world? If I’m totally into a scene I’m writing, when I look up, I expect the time of day to be the time in the scene. That can be weird, since I’ll suddenly want dinner at morning tea time :)

I can also lose track of my responsibilities — like posting on this blog! I have three stories on the go at the moment (2 short and one long). Typically I focus on a single story. Hopping between steampunk, science fiction and contemporary romance is taking all my concentration. I should chain myself to the desk till the two shorts are done.

Adios! my steampunk heroine is about to be kidnapped … the dastardly villain is kind of cute, though :)

Go Away, May

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April kicked my butt. I am so not ready for May.

I’m a member of the Australian Romance Readers Association (great group!) and we do a monthly catch up of books we’ve read. In April I only managed 4 new books, and two of those were novellas.  I was shocked. No wonder my TBR pile is getting out of hand! Thank goodness it’s mostly digital, and hence, invisible. It wasn’t that I wasn’t reading. I was re-reading old favourites.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m tired, I like to read books I’ve read before. It’s comforting. I lose myself in a familiar world.

Mostly I’ve been trying to finish my contemporary romance, “It’s Love, Dude”, finish a long short story (if that makes sense?) that weaves in Neanderthals and quantum computing — and now you understand why this story is taking me so long! — come up with a killer idea for a short steampunk romance for an anthology open call, Kisses by Clockwork (Ticonderoga Press), whip out a light romantic comedy of about 12,000 words (which turned emotional and threatened to explode beyond the word limit, and so, has to go on the back burner because it’s not going to fit my writing schedule – darn it) and when all of that is done (ha!) I can start the follow up to “It’s Love, Dude” with Zane’s brother, Brodie. Whew.

Oh, and I also bought a raincoat in the hope that this would convince Fate to test it…and guess what? It rained last night! :)

Anzac Day

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Anzac Day is a special day for Australians and New Zealanders when we remember those who have fought and died for our countries and for peace.

Like most Aussie kids, I learned about Anzac Day at school and the war poets of the First World War brought me to tears. I remember flag raising and wreath laying. I remember the songs we sang.

But at home, there were also Dad’s memories. He’s a Vietnam Vet. So I knew that as well as remembering those who’d died to save us, we have to remember those serving and those returned who are faced with the huge challenge of building civilian lives.

Memories of Love is my short Anzac Day themed romance. In the tough times, our mates are there for us.Memories Of Love_Final

Today, I’m visiting one of my mates, Tea Cooper, and talking about Kings Park in Western Australia and its stunning memorial that features in the Dawn Service scene in Memories of Love. Please join us and share a memory or just a friendly comment.

I’ve only been to one Dawn Service, the only one I intend to visit. It is one of my perfect memories that I don’t want to lose by attempting to re-experience it. I was living in Canberra and I got up early, braved the minus 5 degrees minimum temperature and drove to the National Memorial. Waiting in the darkness with strangers and standing with them through the service reminded me powerfully of the strength of the Australian community and the value of the sacrifice our servicemen and women have given us.

Lest we forget.

Memories of Love Release Day

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What does Anzac Day mean to me? was where I started Memories of Love, the short romance releasing today from Escape Publishing. I wanted to write a story that celebrated the day.

For non-Aussies, Anzac Day (25 April) is the day we honour those who fought and died for our country and for peace. But at the heart of the day is a celebration of mateship. In the tough times, we are there for one another.

I didn’t want to write a war story, but I knew I couldn’t run away from writing about grief, heartbreak and hope. I wanted to write about hope — and love.

Memories Of Love_Final

 

In a style reminiscent of Robyn Carr, an intensely emotional story about taking chances and risking your heart.

When her family home burns down, it’s the final heartbreak for Rita Jorden who has already lost her parents. Her boss, former SAS captain and head of Tamerlane Security, Ivan Novak, steps in, offering her his home and his help. But Ivan has his own demons, and although he’s interested in Rita, there’s darkness in his past that could cause her harm. Thrown together into a situation that’s too close for comfort, this story can only end in one of two ways: in the destruction of Rita’s dreams of love — or the gift of healing and hope to two damaged survivors.

13,000 words

Comprehensive buy-links are available at Escape Publishing. (They’re really snazzy and pop-up, which is why I’m sending you there. Have fun!)

***

I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to Nas Dean, my editor at Escape Publishing, who believed in Rita and Ivan’s story, and challenged me to tell it from the heart — no glossing over the rawness of their emotions. As always, the entire Escape team has been awesome. Thank you, guys! A special shout-out to Danielle Maaitt for the most perfect cover. The Escape Artists (fellow authors) all deserve extra chocolate (okay, maybe not on Easter Monday *groans* but I’ll save it!) for their ongoing support, silliness and simply being themselves and making me welcome.

To the readers and reviewers who energise me with your enthusiasm — thank you!

“Memories of Love” releases in 1 week

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Memories of Love releases in a week. To celebrate, I’m sharing a snippet. This story is written from my heart, written to celebrate the mateship of Anzac Day, which is all about being there for one another in the tough times.Memories Of Love_Final

So, first the blurb, then the snippet.

In a style reminiscent of Robyn Carr, an intensely emotional story about taking chances and risking your heart.

When her family home burns down, it’s the final heartbreak for Rita Jorden who has already lost her parents. Her boss, former SAS captain and head of Tamerlane Security, Ivan Novak, steps in, offering her his home and his help. But Ivan has his own demons, and although he’s interested in Rita, there’s darkness in his past that could cause her harm. Thrown together into a situation that’s too close for comfort, this story can only end in one of two ways: in the destruction of Rita’s dreams of love — or the gift of healing and hope to two damaged survivors.

***

“We’ll contain the fire, but we can’t save your house.”

Rita nodded. Part of her had been mourning it since she stumbled out of bed. There would be no recovering from this. Her mobile rang and she blinked to realise she still held it.

It was instinct to answer.

“Rita, I need you to come into the office. An emergency.” Ivan Novak, her boss, owner and chief executive officer of Tamerlane Security.

Late night calls were always emergencies.

Rita cleared her throat, feeling the harsh pain of the smoke she’d swallowed. “Ivan.”

“Did I wake you?” A touch of amusement lightened his voice. “You sound croaky.”

“My house is on fire.”

“What?”

Heads turned as his voice exploded from the mobile.

***

Memories of Love is available from Escape Publishing from 1 April, and currently available for pre-order on Amazon. Review copies are available from NetGalley.