Posted on 01/03/201807/03/2018 by Jenn J McLeod — 1 Comment

Imagine a movie that reunites the McLeod’s Daughters cast!

I have! A girl can dream, can’t she?

Dreaming was what Liane Moriarty did when struggling to conceptualise the right character for her Little Big Lies #2. (More on that later.)

I also had a huge, impossible dream to be published and in 2013 House for all Seasons was #5 top-selling debut novel. So it’s fitting to have my BOOK #5 released on the same day as my debut. TODAY – March 1. (The ebook of my 5th novel, A Place to Remember, is ready to read.)

So, the message is…“Imagine and it will come.”

That’s my motto and with ‘producer Posie’s’ blessing, I’m going to share my movie version starring the McLeod’s cast. (See Posie’s note below.)

Here comes HOUSE FOR ALL SEASONS – THE MOVIE, starring…

I’m not sure why I didn’t think about this before now, unless it’s because, lately, I’ve been bingeing on my favourite TV series and wondering where the cast members of McLeod’s Daughters are these days, or maybe because I just watched Aaron Jeffery’s portrayal of Chopper Reed (creepy, but a Logie contender, for sure) and wished I could watch more TV shows with ex-McLeod’s cast members. (I think I spotted Brett Tucker in a US TV show the other day.)

So, I Googled the McLeod’s cast and when I saw how they’d aged – beautifully (haven’t we all?) – I thought . . .

Hang on a minute! Those actors are at the perfect age to play my four characters out of House for all Seasons – a story about . . .

Four women,
Four lives unravelled.
And the truth that binds them forever.

Bequeathed a century-old house, four estranged friends return to their hometown, Calingarry Crossing, where each must stay for a season at the Dandelion House to fulfil the wishes of their benefactor, Gypsy. But coming home to the country stirs shameful memories of the past, including the tragic end-of-school muck up day accident twenty years earlier.

At the Dandelion House, the women all discover something about themselves and a secret that ties all four to each other and to the house – forever.
***

Now, forgive me for saying so, but with House for all Seasons having a reunion theme, the idea of reuniting old cast members from a much-loved show is a bit of a no-brainer.

What do you think?

Can you imagine an ensemble cast that might play the four characters?

I have . . . (and feel free to give me your thoughts in a comment).

Bridie Carter or Jess Napier can play Sara – a breast cancer survivor afraid to fall in love; (Aaron Jeffery MUST play Will, ex-footy hero and love interest! Must, must, must!)

Zoe Naylor or Jess Napier would make a great Poppy – a tough, ambitious journo still craving her father’s approval;

Rachel Carpani would be great as Amber – a spoilt socialite addicted to painkillers and cosmetic procedures;

But I think Lisa Chappell is the only person who could play Caitlin. She’s perfect to play a doctor frustrated by a controlling family and her flat-lining life. (And the character who is, helped by hunky vet, played by Myles Pollard or Brett Tucker, who solves the mystery).

(and let’s not forget Sonya Todd (Meg), who would be a great ‘Cheryl’.

***

Of course, I’m dreaming, right? As if that will ever happen! But it’s what we writers do. We use our imaginations all the time, in different ways, includes picturing our stories on the big screen. More recently, I fantasised about The Thorn Birds cast reunion as I wrote A Place to Remember. And I’ll let you in on a secret: Rachel Ward and Matilda Brown inspired my characters as I wrote Ava, and her daughter Nina. Imagine THAT? Rachel, Bryan and Matilda Brown all playing together in the movie version.

Ah, yes, a girl can dream.

But you know what?

Publishing a book was a dream once, so I know they do come true.

And about Liane Moriarty stryggling to conceptualise a character…

It was Liane’s sister, Jaclyn, who suggested she try imagining an actress in the role to help her get inside the character’s head. Liane imagined Meryl Streep and, yep, you guessed it, Meryl heard about it and signed on for the role!

So keep dreaming, people (and keep hoping these amazing actors come back to our screens one way or another.

***

GIVEAWAY CLOSED – WINNER ADVISED – More books to win coming soon for newsletter subscribers.

To celebrate the anniversary of House for all Seasons, I’m giving the ENTIRE SEASONS COLLECTION away to anyone who signs-up to my newsletter BEFORE 4/3/18.

(Those already signed up will automatically go into thE draw.)

(*Aust. postal addresses only, sorry*)

And no…

Sadly there will be no more discussions re a McLeod’s Daughters return. A message from Posie, herself (via Facebook Fan Page.)

P.S. Posie, thank you for letting me have a little McLeod’s fun.

Meeting you in 2012 was a dream come true, too!

Respectfully yours, Jenn J McLeod (The Lost McLeod Daughter!!)

A Place to Remember – set on a central QLD cattle station over three decades is now available – in ebook. See my Book Room for where to get it.

“The author encapsulates both the Australian way of life and landscape perfectly, crafting an authentic, heartwarming, and rugged saga (that is) reminiscent of master storyteller, Judy Nunn.” AusRom Today

Posted on 24/02/201824/02/2018 by Jenn J McLeod — 3 Comments

Shirley Wine – Portrait of an Author w/ giveaway

Welcome to my fun Q&A where you’ll discover new things about some of your favourite authors. Shirley (with the best last name EVER) is adding a little New Zealand flavour to my blog series that celebrates art (because my new novel is a love story about a sitter and an artist!!) It’s actually fitting that Shirley follow on from Lily Malone’s author portrait, as Lily would also like the last name ‘Wine’. As would I, although I fear mine would more likely be ‘Whine’.

Welcome, Shirley, let’s start…

Q: As pose and composition are important factors for a portrait, choose what kind of ‘look’ would you like for your portrait.

On a chaise lounge (Kate Winslet/Titanic style)
Fully clothed in a rocker (Whistler’s Mother style)
A close up of your face (Girl with the Pearl Earring style/Mona Lisa)
In all your formal finery befitting your ‘authorly’ status (Regal style)
Other

A: A close-up of my face

Q: *Snap* I just took your photo as a reference for my portrait of you. Tell us where you are and what you’re wearing. (Be honest.)

A: I was all dolled up to attend the New Zealand Governor-General’s Waitangi Day Garden Party on February 6^th 2018.

(Shirley, you looked fabulous with Jacinda and in that hat!)

Q: Given a choice, what precious item would you want to be included in a portrait of you?

A: A pendant my Mum gave me before she died. My Dad had given it to her many years earlier.

(Shirley, you may very well relate to the characters in A Place to Remember!!)

Q: With acquired savant syndrome* featuring in my next novel, I’m curious . . . If you were to wake up from a coma one day to find yourself totally obsessed and a genius (in something other than writing, of course) what would you want it to be? (music, painting, languages, maths, touching your toes while typing, etc)

A: Definitely, an artist. I’ve always admired people who can turn a blank canvas into an arresting piece of art. I don’t paint, but my house is filled with artwork. It feeds my soul.

Q: If you happened to wake up one day and be a genius with a paintbrush, whose portrait would you want to paint and why?

A: Dame Whina Cooper … I can hear you say, who is she? (Yes, do tell, Shirley.) Dame Whina was an 80 year old Maori lady who in 1975 set off from Te Hāpua (in the far north) and walked to Parliament in Wellington to protest the sale of Maori Land by the Government of the day. She was one gutsy lady who believed in standing up for what was right.

Q: Your preferred medium would be?

Oil on canvas
Watercolour
Pencil/Ink
Pastels
Kiddy crayons

A: Definitely Watercolour

(Your wish is my command, Shirley!)

Picasso once asked the question: “Are we to paint what’s on the face, what’s inside the face, or what’s behind it?” In my next novel, the artist says to 58 y.o Ava, “A mature person has depth of character and it’s their layers, built from life’s lessons that interest me the most—when wisdom replaces curiosity and experience replaces youthful exuberance.”

Q: What two traits would you hope an artist captures in a portrait of you?

A: Hope and perseverance; what is life without either of these qualities? It is Hope that keeps the human spirit alive, without hope you have nothing.

Q: Because every fireplace deserves a portrait, in whose house would you hang a portrait of you as a surprise and what would they say?

A: My youngest daughter, she’s endured some really hard times. I would like to think she would be heartened to receive such a gift as a reminder that despite sorrow and sadness, life does go on.

Q: Keeping in mind that lucky recipient of your portrait, how would see yourself framed?

Minimalist or no frame at all – just the canvas (take me as I am)
Modernist – chrome, nothing too fancy
Sophisticated – warm, wood, old world
Flamboyant – go all the way and gilt-edged!

A: Definitely Number three …nothing beats the mellow charm of old wood.

Q: Finally, if someone was to add a plaque/title your portrait, how would it read?

Shirley Wine: Life’s Survivor.

(I hear ya, Shirley. You have triumphed despite every sad and bad thing. You are an inspiration and I am so glad we caught up here in Oz in 2015. Must do that again!)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shirley Wine is from a large farming family in which oral storytelling was encouraged, a throwback to her family’s Irish roots. She has lived and worked on the land alongside her husband for many years, and a love for the land runs as deep as the blood in her veins, so writing rural romance was a natural progression for this author.

No stranger to devastating personal tragedy, these experiences are often reflected in Shirley’s often gritty stories about triumph over adversity.

For many years, Shirley was a freelance writer with a regular ‘Country Comment’ column in a New Zealand national daily newspaper, and she has worked on local and regional newspapers. A long-time member of Romance Writers of New Zealand, Shirley is now retired and lives with her husband in a quiet rural Waikato town with one spoiled cat and two equally spoiled dogs.

Website https://www.shirleywine.com
Shirley’s latest Book: Caught By Her Spell http://a.co/2jMuRum

GIVEAWAY: Shirley has TWO e-copies of Caught By Her Spell to give away.
Just leave a comment.

Before you go…

I will have more book giveaways, author portraits and some special gifts to celebrate my 5th novel, so you might like to subscribe to my newsletter. March 1 is ‘E’ day for A Place to Remember. Yep, you can be reading it before the book hits the shops (March 19 in Australia/NZ and April 5 overseas). I have all links right here in my Book Room.

*Acquired savant syndrome, in which a person acquires prodigious capabilities or skills following dementia, a head injury or concussion, epilepsy or other disturbances.

Posted on 21/02/2018 by Jenn J McLeod — 4 Comments

Tea Cooper – Portrait of an Author

The Naturalist, by Tea Cooper, is a terrific read and a fascinating blend of fact and fiction. Because it also has an art theme I thought I’d ask Tea some ‘arty’ questions (and try a watercolour out for my portrait of an author this month. I hope you like it, Tea).

Now, onto those questions…

Q: Pose and composition are important factors for a portrait. What kind of ‘look’ would you like your portrait to have?

On a chaise lounge (Kate Winslet/Titanic style)
Fully clothed in a rocker (Whistler’s Mother style)
A close up of your face (Girl with the Pearl Earring style/Mona Lisa)
In all your formal finery befitting your ‘authorly’ status (Regal style)
Other

A: 3 with a bit of 5, because it couldn’t be too close up!

Q: *Snap* I just took your photo for my portrait of you. Tell us where you are and what you’re wearing. (Be honest.)

A: Sitting on the floor, surrounded by my current pile of research books, in the * tongue-in-cheek* library, that used to be the garage. (It was a toss up between my car and my books – no points for guessing the winner). I’d be wearing Capri pants, an oversized shirt (or a roll neck sweater if it’s cold), and no shoes.

Q: Given a choice, what precious item would you want to be included in a portrait of you?

A: Not my car! The book of fairy tales my grandfather gave me.

A: I’d be able to sing … loud and impressive opera … actually, opera’s not necessary. Just sing and not send everyone running for cover. I can read music, the result of too many years of enforced choir at boarding school where the music mistress would turn from the piano, grimace and say ‘Why not come and turn the pages for me, dear.’ But sing? Nope. Not a note that vaguely resembles anything that could be interpreted as musical.

Q: If you happened to wake up one day and be a genius with a paintbrush, whose portrait would you want to paint and why?

A: Anh Do. Perhaps I could absorb his stunning ability to capture the essence of a character … I’d then like to take that talent and apply it to my writing.

Q: Your preferred medium would be?

Oil on canvas
Watercolour
Pencil/Ink
Pastels
Kiddy crayons

A: Bearing in mind my answer to the above question it must be OIL ON CANVAS. I rather like the idea of a huge canvas and sweeping brush strokes, and the smell of oil paint, linseed and turpentine is so evocative … Monmartre, berets, red wine, garrets and French accents.

Q: Picasso once asked the question: “Are we to paint what’s on the face, what’s inside the face, or what’s behind it?” In my next novel, the artists says to 58 y.o Ava, “A mature person has depth of character and it’s their layers, built from life’s lessons that interest me the most—when wisdom replaces curiosity and experience replaces youthful exuberance.”

What two traits would you hope an artist captures in a portrait of you?

A: Curiosity and naivety. I was paid the greatest compliment a few years ago. I was at the beach with some friends. Their daughter and I had a wonderful time exploring the rock pools. When we returned to the picnic her father asked her if we’d had fun. ‘Yes,’ she said, ‘but I think she’s forgotten she’s a grown up.’

Q: Because every fireplace deserves a portrait, in whose house would you hang a Portrait of You as a surprise and what would they say?

A: A little bit of poetic licence here … over the fireplace in Wollombi Museum (it was built as the court house in the middle of the 19^th century but the magistrate’s room has a fireplace) just so I can keep an eye on any new exhibits. I don’t think I could bear it if something interesting was donated and I missed it. And everyone who came in would say ‘That bloody woman’s always here.’

Q: Keeping in mind that lucky recipient of your portrait, how would see yourself framed?

Minimalist or no frame at all – just the canvas (take me as I am)
Modernist – chrome, nothing too fancy
Sophisticated – warm, wood, old world
Flamboyant – go all the way and gilt-edged!

I’ve no doubt the Historical Society would demand something old world but I’d have to refuse. Absolutely no frame. I’m somewhat claustrophobic so it would a disaster. I’d fight my way off the wall and cause all kinds of chaos.

Q: Finally, if someone was to add a plaque/title your portrait, how would it read?

Every one of those wrinkles tells a story!

About the author: Tea Cooper is an established Australian author of contemporary and historical fiction. In a past life she was a teacher, a journalist and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling. She is the bestselling author of The Horse Thief, published by Harper Collins/MIRA in 2015, The Cedar Cutter (2016) and The Currency Lass (2017). Her latest story, The Naturalist’s Daughter is available now.

Website: http://www.teacooperauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeaCooper/

Now… Before you go, I have some more author portraits to celebrate the release of my 5th novel (now available for pre-order) and ready for 1 March release (ebook) and (for print books) March 19 in Australia/NZ and April 5 overseas.

Yes, I am excited!!!!!!!!

If you enjoyed Tea’s post, why not share it? Or you might like to subscribe to my newsletter for, well, news! (right) Or check out my Book Room for info about A Place to Remember.

*Acquired savant syndrome, in which a person acquires prodigious capabilities or skills following dementia, a head injury or concussion, epilepsy or other disturbances.

Jenn J McLeod - Australian Fiction

Imagine a movie that reunites the McLeod’s Daughters cast!