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Research! – Tough challenge but…

What is it about writers? We all seem to love a challenge.

I’ve just joined a group of fellow authors in the RWA 50ks in 30 days write-fest. The idea is to glue your bum to the seat and pound out as many words as possible. (50,000 ideally!)

It can totally work for some people. Both my small towns, big hearts novels (House For All Seasons and The Simmering Season) started out in similar challenges.

Okay – yes it’s June so…yes, technically I should be working on those 50 thousand words for my next novel, but I do tend to procrastinate a bit at the start. (Another trait we writers seem to share.)

Since I’m writing about challenges, I thought I’d share a recent writing challenge of another kind.

Looking for inspiration for my novel (in which the town of Calingarry Crossing holds a fair day) I went to my local country show and challenged myself to eat everything I could find on a stick!

Things have changed since I did the whole Easter Show thing as a kid and…well…luckily for me the junk food on a stick options were limited. Sadly, not even fairy floss comes on a stick anymore. Am I that old?

Okay…with my fair day research consumed…ahh…I mean done, it’s back to those 50 thousand words I’m supposed to have done by end June. (After I make myself something to eat. I just made myself drool LOL – yum!)

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How to wash a chook!

I learned two things this week.

  1. How to wash a chook (and yes that is Nifti he is using!) and
  2. How to set up my own URL/website.

It’s been a long time coming but I’ve finally purchased my author URL (yes, www.jennjmcleod.com is all mine –ha ha, he he, ha ha), decided between Blogger, WordPress or a traditional/designer website, found a hosting company (that has great support I must add – I need it!) and overcome a few tinsey wincey mind-blowing bloody awful technical issues (all brought on by me trying to be clever -which I clearly am not when it comes to what I’m told is my ‘back-end’!)

Speaking of backends. This requires SARD spray (not Nifti) when dealing with the washing a chook process.

So I now have clean chooks and my very own website.

I will terminate my other blogs and focus on manipulating this site until I have it just right.

To those few faithful followers, pls don’t desert me now (like the chooks have LOL)

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Will I be a human fly catcher?

It’s been a long time coming, but I’m finally heading to the RWA Writers’ Conference in August (Melbourne this year). And my going is only possible through with the support and generosity of others who believe in dreams and who want to help me realise mine. I am very lucky and plan on making the most of every minute.
How do I feel? Excited, terrified, and everything in between.
It’s all rather daunting: hundreds of like-minded authors and industry gurus, all talking about craft and professional development. What worries me most is being able to keep up, keep focused and keep awake! I am sooooo not used to late nights (unless it’s sitting at the computer), nor am I used to chatting all day (unless it’s via the computer – and I can nod off in the middle of online chats without anyone knowing! Shhhh!)

I also worry about not recognising someone I should. (Let’s face it, none of us look like our promo headshots.) Or that I will look just plain goofy standing on the sidelines in absolute awe and catching flies in my gaping mouth.

So I figured it was a good idea to start training. Here’s my 4 ‘S’ Tips.

Smile – looking demure, knowledgable and keeping gaping mouth closed at all times.


Speak – preferably in coherent sentences and say ‘hi, good to see you’ to everyone whether you recognise them or not.


Start conversations – the old ‘What are you reading?’ is apparently a good one.


Self-control – refrain from throwing self at feet of visiting publishers. (Not a good look!)


And finally, enjoy, share, learn.