Tag: Hachette

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#WriteRoundOz w/ Author – Charlotte Nash

I’m dropping in on Charlotte Nash and her resident lizard  in Queensland

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Hi Charlotte,

Thank you for letting me park my rig … 

… half up on your kerb? (Hmm, not much room in this street) 😉

What’s that I see written on your ‘welcome mat’, Charlotte?

Beware the Lizard! (we have one that lives under our stairs – he’s got three legs and I love him)

 

 

The one thing I really miss in a caravan is my HUGE refrigerator. If I looked in your refrigerator right now, what would I find?

Water bottles, fruit, and lots of left-overs, awaiting the next cull!

Downsizing my life into a 24 ft caravan meant leaving lots of things behind in boxes. What (or who!!) would you have trouble leaving behind if you took off in a caravan?

Actually that sounds heavenly. ‘Stuff’ makes me anxious – I love a good clear-out! In fact, I’m in the middle of one right now. Please mind the boxes.

(Ouch!)

Do you REALLY have room at your house to park a fifth wheeler caravan and do you mind visitors? Oh, sorry, you don’t have to answer that one!! 😉

I’m in a block of flats at the moment. I figure I’ll blame someone else 😉

 

Country curiosities…

My latest novel, Season of Shadow and Light, has a strong horse theme. (I love what horses can teach us). If you were an animal what would you be?

I love horses, too, and spent most of my childhood riding. To actually be an animal, though, I’d pick something with wings. Probably a parrot, like the New Zealand alpine Kea. They’re pretty mischievous – suits me.

You’re cooking and your food is going up against the best cooks from the CWA (Country Women’s Association). What would be your winning dish?

My secret fudge. Or custard tart. Or lemon delicious. Or pumpkin scones – Flo’s got nothin’.

 

About you…

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Remembering how hard it was for the last project. You tend to forget, then panic because the next first draft is bad.

If someone was to write your biography, what do you think the title should be?

Work in Progress!

 

Fun Favourites…

Favourite place in Australia: Great Keppel Island

Favourite holiday destination (anywhere): Sunshine Coast.

Favourite movie: It’s a toss-up between Aliens, Watchmen, Bridesmaids and The Prestige.

Favourite quote: “The irony of the Information Age is that it has given new respectability to uninformed opinion.” — John Lawton

 

If I said to you, “Just entertain me for five minutes, I’m not going to talk,” what would you do?

Would you like to see my stamp collection? Oh, what, you’d rather talk? That’s cool. *grin* (I can’t juggle – it’s probably better we talk)

 

Here is how you can find out more about Charlotte:

CRYSTAL CREEK

Aspiring doctor Christina Price has worked hard to rise above an upbringing filled with neglect and the assumption that she would never amount to anything. She promised herself she was never going back – could never go back – to Townsville, where she’d been bullied and betrayed as a young teenager. But when a twist of fate lands her on practical placement in a clinic on the Townsville army base, she must confront past hurts if she wants to succeed and, just maybe, find love.
Captain Aiden Bell is used to hard work, and to the life of an army officer: base-hopping and deploying overseas. His career has taken an emotional toll that he hasn’t dealt with, until meeting Christina stirs memories, desire – and hope.
At Crystal Creek, can facing your past give love a chance?
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Bar Yarns w/ Author Pamela Cook

Pamela CookFirst a Facebook friend,  more recently I had the pleasure of meeting Pamela in person at a NSW Writers’ Centre event, sharing a drink afterwards – a real one. Now, here we are sharing a cyber beer at the Calingarry Crossing pub and having a yarn. Okay, Pamela, here’s a beer coaster! Take a minute to jot down the blurb for your book.

A young woman on the brink of marriage uncovers a family mystery and heads off on a road trip in search of answers to the past and a missing piece of herself.

Miranda McIntyre thinks she has it all sorted. A successful lawyer, she’s planning her wedding and ticking off all the right boxes. When searching for something old to go with her wedding dress she remembers an antique necklace from her childhood, but her mother denies any knowledge of it.

 

Miranda is sure it exists. Trying to find the necklace, she discovers evidence that perhaps the grandmother she thought was dead is still alive. Ignoring the creeping uncertainty about her impending marriage, and the worry that she is not living the life she really wants, Miranda takes off on a road trip in search of answers to the family mystery but also in search of herself. Ultimately, she will find that looking back can lead you home. A captivating story of family, love and following your heart, from the author of Blackwattle Lake.

Well, don’t just stand there. Grab a pew. What can I get you to go with your beer nuts? (Shandy? Wine Spritzer? Pink Lemonade?) A: Since it’s summer I’ll have an ice cold shandy thanks Jenn. And make it a schooner 🙂

(That’s my girl!)

Hey, did you hear the one about … 

A: I’m absolutely hopeless at remembering jokes so I’ll pass on that and leave it to those who are actually good at it.

I’m a beer nut nut! What bar snack would you be and why?

A: Definitely a potato chip. Salty with plenty of crunch.

Ahh, that shandy hit the spot. Let me slip a drink coaster under your glass while you tell us—on a scale of 1 to 10—as a writer are you a messy desker or tidy desker?

A: Don’t even have to think about that one. I’m a very messy desker, probably around an 8 Essie's Wayout of 10. There’s a small space in front of the computer that’s clear but a couple of growing piles on either side and the rest of my office isn’t any better. But I do occasionally go on a rampage and clear some space. Usually when I’m procrastinating. I’m in between books at the moment (writing them, that is) so I’ve gone way past procrastination!

The publican offers you free drinks all night if you will:

  • Dance to Gangnam Style
  • Sing John Denver’s ‘Take me Home Country Roads’ on the Karaoke machine
  • Spend an hour washing dishes

Which do you choose?

A: The karaoke option. Although I’d probably have to down more than a couple of shandies to work up the nerve. I’ve never done karaoke in public (although it is on my bucket list!) but I do love a good singstar session. And John Denver takes me way back. Love that song!

(Let me get you another drink, then!)

Time to liven the place up. Got a buck? We can crank up the old jukebox in the corner. You get to pick three songs.

  1. Leave Me Alone or Funhouse by Pink. I adore everything about her – music, lyrics, looks and attitude!
  2. American Pie by Don Mclean. Because everybody knows the words and after a few drinks will definitely sing along.
  3. Khe Sanh by Cold Chisel. Takes me back to my youth and great nights listening to classic Aussie rock at local pubs.

The pub is the heart of a small town and most locals would be lost without one. What are three things you’d be lost without?

  1. My horse, Morocco. I’ve had him for 8 years now and although I’m still not that confident a rider, hanging out with him is one of the joys of my life. When you’re riding a horse you need to be totally focused so it’s a great way to leave everything else behind and just escape.
  2. Although I initially resisted the whole mobile phone thing I now have to admit I’d be lost without my iphone. It’s rarely out of my hand!
  3. My bathtub. There’s nothing better than soaking in a long hot bath with a chilled glass of white and a great book. The perfect way to relax.

There are a few good prizes up for grabs in the bar jackpot. Do you have a lucky number? Since I have three beautiful daughters I’d have to say 3 is my lucky number.

Last drinks, my friend! It’s been great. But before we go, tell us how we can find out more about you and your writing/books.

Hachette: http://www.hachette.com.au/books/9780733632082/
Website: www.pamelacook.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com.PamelaCook/Author
Twitter: @PamelaCookAU

[Tweet “@pamelaCookAU is at the bar having a yarn about her latest @hachetteAus release: Essie’s Way”]

In the meantime, watch out … It’s on the way …

This storm season, in Calingarry Crossing, a perfect storm is heading Maggie Lindeman’s way.  

Find out more, right here. Simmering Season: April 1, 2014

For emergency alerts and warnings for Simmering Season, subscribe to Jenn J McLeod’s blog before you go, or LIKE her Facebook Page.

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Writers reveal their writing process

Larissa_EdwardsIt’s great to be taking part in this blog hop on The Writing Process in which different writers answer the same questions about their writing process.

The picture to the left kind of sums up my writing process. Firstly, there would be no writing process without Larissa Edwards, the wonderful Head of Publishing at Simon & Schuster, Aust, who once uttered those words “I love your story”. But look behind her: integrity, confidence, difference, passion and belief. They are all part of my writing process.

Thanks to Pamela Cook, rural fiction author of Blackwattle Lake and Essie’s Way (Hachette), for tagging me. Here is Pamela’s post from last week in case you missed it. Or why not connect with this teacher, mother of three gorgeous daughters, manager of dogs, rabbits, birds, fish and horses, on her website: www.pamelacook.com.au, Twitter: @PamelaCookAU and on Facebook. Pamela lives in the southern suburbs of Sydney and spends as much time as possible at her “other” home in Milton on the south coast of NSW. Her favourite pastime (after writing) is riding her handsome quarter horse, Morocco.

So, it’s my turn now…

1) What am I working on? 

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It’s unbelievable and mind blowing to think I am still being asked to talk about House for all Seasons after 12 months, while about to launch and talk up Simmering Season (April 1), just typed THE END on book 3 in my Seasons Collection – contracted for April 2015, and now plotting book 4 ready for 2016! Yes, this is the glamour life of a published author – NOT! I’ve also fit in a short story for an anthology, a couple of articles for the Queensland Writers’ Mag, and designed some workshops. No one warns you about the crazy hours and deadlines. But I LOVE it.
2) How does my work differ from others of its genre? 
While House for all Seasons reviews have made (humbling) comparisons to Monica McInerney and Maeve Binchy, the thing people comment on the most about my ‘Come home to the country’ stories (friendship, family relationships, and small towns keeping big secrets) is the way I balance humour with high emotion, making readers smile and cry and laugh and cry and laugh … but always with a contented sigh at the end.
3) Why do I write what I do?
It just happened. I tried writing romances, but I think my novel’s wry-humoured inhabitants (thx Rowena Holloway for that delightful description) got in the way. (I was giggling in all the wrong places!) Romantic comedy, maybe – which is where I was headed back in 2009 when my characters – filled with guilt and regrets and facing life’s challenges – had other ideas. So now it’s more “Laugh, Cry – Cry, Laugh  Kleenex” genre.
4) How does my writing process work? 
I usually start with an opening sentence and a title and wonder how I can make a story from them. I play around characters, a tag line and a blurb and away I go.
Unfortunately, my opening sentence in Simmering Season is NOT going to go down too well with some House for all Seasons readers. I can only say this…. Give it a chance. I promise you, I will not disappoint.
Well, that’s it from me. Coming up next week, answering the same writing processquestions, is three fabulous authors. I high recommend you look up and follow: Helene Young, Natasha Lester and Zena Shapter. They all love connecting with readers, as you can see, so check them out.

SafeHarbour_cover-1-low-res-676x1024Helene Young – multi-award winning romantic suspense author of Wings of Fear, Shattered Sky, Burning Lies, Half Moon Bay and her next release: Safe Harbour.

Ever wondered what a plane crash feels like? It’s all in a day’s work for multi-award-winning author and airline pilot, Helene Young.  A check captain with Australia’s largest

regional airline, her job is to ensure aircrew can handle all inflight emergencies. It comes in handy for writing fast-paced suspense novels starring feisty women and sexy men. When she’s not writing or flying Helene’s sailing the seas with Capt G and Zeus, aboard their catamaran Roo Bin Esque.

Helene’s twice been awarded the RWA RuBY and was voted Most Popular Romantic Suspense Author by ARRA in 2010 and 2011.

Website: http://www.heleneyoung.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeleneYoungAustralianAuthor?fref=ts

WILOA web sizeNatasha Lester – award winning author of two novels, If I Should Lose You and What 
is Left Over, After. She also teaches creative writing through the Australian Writers Centre, and when she’s not teaching and writing, she spends her time playing dress-ups with her three children.

ZenaShapter300dpiZena Shapter – a British-Australian author who loves putting characters inside the most perfect storm of their lives, then watching how they get out. She likes wild rides through the gulches of adventure that spit you out breathless, and close-to-reality books of the unexplained. She’s won seven national fiction writing competitions (all blind judging), has been published in magazines such as “Midnight Echo” and anthologies like “Award-Winning Australian Writing” (Melbourne Books, 2012). She is represented by literary agent Alex Adsett.

Website: http://zenashapter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZenaShapter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZenaShapter
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+ZenaShapter/posts
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ZenaShapter/

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