Tag: bronwyn Parry

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Pick me! Pick me! (but make it quick, quick, quick.)

Do you have a burning desire to tell a story and see your name in print? Will writing a novel (whether published or not) tick that little to-do off your bucket list?

This week I am guest blogger on ABC Open talking about “When Writers Rally” and hoping to encourage aspiring writers to consider their path to publication like the tortoise, rather than the hare.

With the internet rapidly changing the face of publishing there’s a sense of urgency in the air. It seems almost anyone can publish a book these days. But how can we do that burning desire justice? How proud (or JK Rowling rich) your final product will make you might just be a matter of how you approach the task.

For my tortoise tips, including links to writing groups, see the ABC Open Blog. (Image used courtesy of Marie Miller. Taken at the 2012 RWA National Conference and ARRA Book Signing event in which over 100 authors attended, including regional, best-selling writers: Helene Young, Bronwyn Parry, Annie Seaton, Fiona McArthur, Rachael Treasure and international guest Alexandra Sokoloff.)

 

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The Lucky Seven – Jenn J McLeod

There’s this ‘thing’ going around. It’s called “The Lucky Seven” and the clever Juliet Madison has tagged me.

The challenge: Post seven lines from an unpublished work of fiction.

I have chosen lines from my debut novel House For All Seasons (release date May 2013) a story about four women reconnecting with their country roots.

The Golden Rules of this challenge:

  • Go to page 7 or 77 in your current manuscript
  • Go to line 7
  • Post on your blog or Facebook page the next 7 lines, or sentences, as they are – no cheating
  • Tag 7 other authors to do the same

So here goes: House For All Seasons, Page 77, line 7:

‘As for me,’ he said, taking Sara’s hand. ‘I prefer a more traditional hello. Welcome to my home.’ He tugged her arm, pulling her down until he could kiss her on both cheeks, lingering a little longer than tradition, in Sara’s estimation. ‘Come on in.’

The affectionate welcome had set a kookaburra amongst the butterflies in her stomach. Will was fast becoming Sara’s constant companion, if not in person by day, then in her mind each night in bed when she closed her eyes and imagined she was sixteen again, and brave.

Well, there it is. Now it’s back to Facebook to tag some 7 writer friends to do the same. Seven very different but wonderful authors.

Bronwyn Parry, Helene Young, Lisa Heidke, Anita Heiss, Jaye Ford, Christine Stinson, Dianne Blacklock

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SCARED YET?… on THE ROAD HOME… after a HOLIDAY AFFAIR! – A 3-in-1 book review.

“Read widely,” they say. “If you want to write, first you must read.”

Trouble is, I’d rather be writing than reading. So I am taking the 2012 National Year of Reading (and The Australian Women Writers Challenge) to change that, to catch up and to read outside the genre I write in. But the books have to be good to keep me reading so…

Lucky for me I hit the trifecta with these three:

Scared Yet? by Jaye Ford – Her first book voted highest selling debut crime novel in Australia in 2011.

The Road Home by bestselling ru-ro author Fiona Palmer.

Holiday Affair – Annie Seaton’s debut novella that rocketed up the Amazon bestseller list.

Three very different but very enjoyable novels. Here’s why.

Scared Yet?

Couldn’t put it down. No, not an overused cliché but a fact. This book is every bit as fabulous as Jaye’s debut novel – Beyond Fear. A clever book from a clever author who knows how keep readers guessing until the very end.

Scared Yet? throws one ordinary woman into one extraordinary week of fear and uncertainly as she deals with the fallout of a faceless stalker who has her questioning everything and everyone she trusts. And all the while the notes keep arriving. ARE YOU SCARED YET, LIVIA? Brrrrrrrr!  I get goose bumps just thinking about this book. In fact, it should come with a warning: do not read at night!

It’s the kind of book that makes me glad I left the big smoke behind a few years back and took the road home to the country.

Hmmm, kinda cute segue to…..

The Road Home, by Western Australian author, Fiona Palmer.

Anyone who has ever dreamed of a life in the country will relate to this story. I did and, okay, yes, my little slice of country is only one very busy acre (rather than Fiona’s characters who have vast properties) but you get my drift! And size isn’t what matters.

Decisions aren’t always about bigger and better; sometimes it’s as simple as ‘have to’. Like Lara Turner whose life is at the crossroads. It’s not a matter of will she or won’t she quit the city for life on the family farm, but a case of the land drawing her to it.

Fiona’s books follow similar themes with characters passionate about farming life. Having met the author, she epitomises the young (you owe me for that Fee!) country girl whose love of the land cannot be ignored; much like Fiona’s books cannot be ignored if you love a good romance.

Publishers claim lots of things in their book promos, but in this case they are spot on: The Road Home is a heartwarming novel about finding your true place in the world, and the healing power of the land.

And when the country gets too quiet, there’s always the idea of a….

Holiday Affair, a novella by Annie Seaton.

A holiday affair is exactly what Annie Seaton’s character gets up to in this well crafted and entertaining debut novella.

The rather staid academic, Melissa Macintyre, invents an alter ego (Lissy) while on a holiday in the Whitsunday Islands where she meets up with hunky sailor, Nick. Yes, it’s the kind of story in which the characters have more ups and downs than the Aussie dollar and you know there will be happy ending – that’s why the romance genre outsells any other books when the real world gets a bit too dire. It’s escapism – stories that take you away and let you forget your troubles.

Annie Seaton’s story telling is so vivid I found myself wishing it was an audio book so I could close my eyes. The pictures Annie paints – her charming settings and feisty characters – kept me engaged until the last page and made my very first Amazon/Kindle experience a great one. I recommend this read to anyone who needs a holiday from life’s everyday. Thank you Annie. Please keep writing. I am ready for my next affair!!!!!!

I’m also ready for my next book(s):

Dead Heat by Bronwyn Parry

Bella’s Run by Margareta Osborn

Morgan’s Law by Karly Lane

Today’s authors

http://www.jayefordauthor.com/

http://www.fionapalmer.com

http://www.annieseatonromance.com/books.html