General craziness

Hello there crazy time of year!
Busy here with usual Chrissy stuff as well as end of school year and my littlest Princess's Christmas Eve birthday.
And with RENOVATIONS.

Yes, I felt it needed all caps. We're about a month in and the builders have been great and it's going to be great but... the kiddos are on hols and we're cramped. We've lost our backyard and it's too hot to move and writing is a struggle with three underfoot.

Wouldn't you know it that my brain is firing with dialogue and scenes and ideas for linked stories?

My problem is sneaking time to write.
Without endless questions and water help and requests for food. And more food.
What about you? Relaxing times?

Running

I'm no athlete - although I love sport. I came last in EVERY SINGLE running race I had to participate in through school. Every one.

But a few years ago I decided to do the Couch to 5k running program. Mainly because I bet hubby a camera on completing it. He knew my athletic prowess and thought himself safe... or he hoped to encourage me. Either way I was determined to SHOW HIM.

And I did.

And then I did a 7.5 km run raising money for cancer.

And now I run 4 times a week. I'm still not fast. I suspect my knees turn in and my feet kick out. It's not pretty, but I feel good after. As long as I get through and get into a rhythm I can run for an hour now.

This week I retired the shoes I bought when I decided I'd run. Thanks to my handy app I know they've done 1000km. It's almost impossible to believe but it shows a little at a time adds up.

Now I need to apply that to finishing the work in progress.
=)

On being a fan

Not me this time... or not exactly.
After 'seeing'/reading some of this author on twitter I was inspired to buy a certain little rockstar in my life Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger.

 
 Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has a secret. She’s a Telepath—someone who hears the thoughts of everyone around her. It’s a talent she’s never known how to explain.

Everything changes the day she meets Fitz, a mysterious boy who appears out of nowhere and also reads minds. She discovers there’s a place she does belong, and that staying with her family will place her in grave danger. In the blink of an eye, Sophie is forced to leave behind everything and start a new life in a place that is vastly different from anything she has ever known.
Sophie has new rules to learn and new skills to master, and not everyone is thrilled that she has come “home.” There are secrets buried deep in Sophie’s memory—secrets about who she really is and why she was hidden among humans—that other people desperately want. Would even kill for.In this page-turning debut, Shannon Messenger creates a riveting story where one girl must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world, before the wrong person finds the answer first.

And she LOVED it. She's only just 8 and read in in a devouring rush of intense obsession I've only ever seen her have with music before (she is, after all, going to be a rockstar... or audiologist... or author when she grows up) and one other author.

She copied the title to put up on her wall and she drew picture after picture. And she's saving for the sequel.

This is her fan art.... fan art! I can hardly believe it of her. I promised I'd post it for Shannon's contest and she just hoped one of her fave authors might see it!

This is Sophie how Rockstar sees her.

 

 

I'm so glad she feels this way about books. I hope to make people feel this way about mine!!

=)

Conference awesomeness

On the weekend I was lucky enough to go to the Romance Writers of Australia Conference. This year it was in Fremantle and they put on some wild wind and rain the first day but it gradually warmed up. I roomed with fab rural author Rachael Johns(see pic left) and had to take my little rockstar's netball beanie kid as she had a big netball final while I was away (right).

As a bit of an introvert (I'm used to my fictional worlds) I found the buzz of so many writers at once inspiring and exhausting - in a good way.

It was great to talk writing for a WHOLE WEEKEND. There were so many inspiring workshops and talks over the weekend and I scribbled so many notes I think it will take me weeks to go back through.

The social events were just as fun and I went for 'nice' on the Nautical or nice cocktail party on the Friday night. What could be nicer than a block of choc? And I got to wear purple hair!

 The awards gala was fabulous and included a choc fountain - sigh...

There were so many highlights but for me it was a late night chat (there were a few of those!!) where I was talking about one of my stories and the room of writers gave me bucket loads of encouragement. terms like 'awesome conflict' and 'I can't wait to read it' are things I'll treasure as I get stuck back in.

The organisers did an amazing job and I thanks them with virtual hugs and chocolate!!

Have you been to any conferences recently?

i don't even like this song

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic:

What song would you love to see a book based on?

Now for this one I’m going to blame my little Rockstar. She’s learning guitar and has an eclectic mix in her repertoire. From Holiday by Greenday and Back in Black by ACDC to So What by Pink and Day Tripper by the Beatles. Her fave singer is Taylor Swift and she plays songs she knows and the album CONSTANTLY.

 One keeps making me see a scene and it’s called The Last Time and it opens:

Found myself at your door,
Just like all those times before,
I'm not sure how I got there,
All roads they lead me here.

I imagine you are home,
In your room, all alone,
And you open your eyes into mine,
And everything feels better,

Right before your eyes,
I'm breaking, no past
No reasons why,
Just you and me.

This is the last time I'm asking you this,
Put my name at the top of your list,
This is the last time I'm asking you why,
You break my heart in the blink of an eye.

Just makes me ask all kinds of questions in my head. I do like to write about the pain/fear of people leaving so maybe that explains it. I wonder what he did before and what has happened to make him come back. The risk of letting someone who’s left in again… it’s a biggie!

What about you??

Imagine

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic:
What was the best book you read in May??

The best book I read in May was Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma.

Here is the Goodreads blurb:

Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

This drew me in and got me thinking. Thinking til my brain hurt and although I read it weeks ago I'm STILL thinking about it. I don't know whether I actually liked any of the characters which normally would put me right off a book but this one... well, it worked for me anyway.

What about your best May read?

A little surprising.

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This Week's Topic:
What's been your most surprising read of the year so far---the book you weren't sure about going in that really swept you off your feet?

I've read quite a few great books this year but the one that really surprised me was The Name of The Star by Maureen Johnson.

I'm not sure it's the very best but I have to say I didn't think I'd love it. And I did. And I was terrified and it left me thinking for ages. All of which surprised me. I think it was the way just when I thought I was comfortable reading the stakes twisted and upped and I gasped and had to turn the next page.

What about you?

Getting around to it.

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic: What book is your 'one that got away?' (What book have you always been dying to read but still haven't yet?)


Up until this week I had two vying to *win* this for me. However, after much prodding from hubby I've started Game of Thrones at last. He's a huge fan and I've been meaning to start but his whining intellectual discussion about the terribleness of the people and the world put me off.

So that leaves The Book Thief.

I have it. I've picked it up. Managed two pages... and then... nothing. I believe it's good but I haven't managed to get into it. Yet. I will.

What about you?

Looking for inspiration

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic:
What are some non-writing blogs/Tumblrs/Twitters/Pinterests
/Instagrams, etc., that you follow and get inspired by?


I can't wait to head out to see everyone's answers to this. I have to admit I mainly read about books/writing/authors... these are my happy places.

Alongside that are the blogs/intagrams of some of my fave sport teams. I like the window into the players as people. i am so unathletic, I find it really interesting.

Another is more recent. It's fatmumslim and the photo a day challenge. The pics get me thinking about the different ways to interpret one word and the different meaning it can have to diff people. Which reminds me...

4. In my cup - mmmm coffee... gone.
5. Paper - so she can't spell - cute though
6. Broken - hard to see but mil's gift was missing an udder






 


7. Something beginning with F - bottom pic -Flinders Ranges
8. Shape - hubby's guitar
9. A snack - mmm dip and cider



What's your inspiration?

a picture tells

For ages I've seen the Photo-a-Day challenge on Fatmumslim's blog and thought about participating. And that's about where I stopped.

But it's a new(ish) month and I want to try.
So below is the first three. The pictures are anti-clockwise.

1. I bought this
2. Morning ritual
3. This is really good

1. Hubby actually bought this toaster. I would never have spent so much on something that only cooks bread. And it pretty much needs us to get to the extension just to fit it in the kitchen. Awesome though!

2. Each morning i try to sneak in 10 mins of writing before the school drop. it's a challenge.

3. This is just a box, but inside... inside is a doll for princess 7. She's getting a hearing aid in a week and is terrified. The doll looks just like her including hearing aid. I'm hoping it helps. I opened it and was a little teary. This is really good.

i love taking pics. Do you?

This left me bruised

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic:
What was the best book you read in April??

So, I was so busy this month AND school holidays were two excruciating wonderful weeks of children bonding but I also managed to read a few books.

The best was a hard decision (it always is - I'm a Libran and I tend to look for the positives in things) but I'm going to have to go with Bruiser by Neal Shusterman.

I'm on a bit of a magical realism hunt and this came up on a search. I loved it all. The writing felt spare but emotional at the same time. Every character had a flaw (or several) but I was still entranced. It left me thinking. it was 'different' whatever that is.

What was your best for April? Any magical realism?

Best ever

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This Week's Topic:
In our Bookmobile selection this month, Debra Driza's MILA 2.0, the main character discovers she's an android trained to obey orders. We want to know: What other human-like robots (or robot-like humans?) have you enjoyed in books, TV, or movies?

You say human-like robots... i think ASTROBOY!!

Oh, my, favourite boy robot. This is the first TV show I can ever remember really loving. He was so good and so sweet and so ASTRO! Sigh. There may have been a small crush involved.

 

 

And don't get me started on the Robio and Robiette episode... I remember when  studied Shakespeare years later I deep down wondered who had imitated who...

Alas when I watched it recently it didn't QUITE stand the test of time.

What about you? And fave human-like robot/androids??

Ummm...

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic:
April is National Poetry Month! Share your favorite poem(s) or poet.

I'll come clean. I know NOTHING about poetry. Yes, I studied some at school, but thanks to my Glandular Fever in my final year and the allergic reactions that went with it, most of that is a blur.

I loved Dylan Thomas - Do not go gentle into that good night touched me as I worked in a nursing home through school and I still think about it. But I haven't even read any poetry recently.

So I'm on the hunt for recommendations - have any??

A haunting one

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic:
What was the best book you read in March??


I didn't read as many books as I would have liked in march but those I managed were great. I loved 'Wait for You' by J Lynn and agree with there being a fair bit of buzz about it around the place.

However it was pipped for my fave read by Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff.

This take kept me reading long after i was supposed to be doing other things. i nearly missed my kids school pickup (ooops) to keep reading.

It was haunting it the best was but not really a ghost story and had just the right amount of creep factor as well as a mystery and a brilliantly done setting.

What about you - read anything great lately?

Dreaming

We're at the very beginning of our renovating journey. We have more kids than bedrooms and would like to be able to separate them as they get older. It's a dream.

Some days the ability to send everyone to their rooms (including me) seems like a fantasy.

But we have the architect coming tomorrow to measure up for a rough plan. It meant we needed to make some decisions about our style and needs, not my best thing. And it reminded me of the preliminaries to writing a story. He needed to know what we want, which is I guess like knowing the story I want to tell. Then there were the pics - a lot like I rarely start writing without some visual reminders of my heroine/hero and their setting.

One of the kitchens we liked.

But the craziest part is letting someone else take over. I know we get the final say in everything but to let it out of my control is kinda scary. But exciting too.

Have you renovated a story? Or a house?

What goals?

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic:
Quarterly check-ins! We're already 1/4 of the way through the year--where are you on your reading and writing goals?

*hangs head*

Here’s where I mention that I didn’t _exactly_ get around to my writing goals of 2013. I blame the terrible virus that knocked me out to end 2012 and then the trip to Japan that blitzed the beginning of the year. Then there was getting the kids to school and kindy, then…

Doesn’t mean I haven’t been working though. I needed to finish the WIP before I get stuck into revs on my sci-fi story and I’ve done that. Am still waiting on some feedback so have started playing with 2 other ideas. I’m struggling to choose because I know I will stop for edits on my sci-fi.

BUT THAT ENDS NOW.

Or soon, anyway. Maybe after some chocolate. My goal for the rest of the year is to get my sci-fi the very best it can be. Polish up the YA contemp I just finished and write something fresh. That’s a bit to be going on with.

What about you – how are your goals progressing?

Better late than...

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic:
What was your best book for Feb?


This was an easy one... because I only finished it a few hours ago. I'm a bit late on this cos I've heard raves about the book but with a huge TBR pile I kinda hadn't really listened.

I'm glad I did.

I adored Cinder by Marissa Meyer.

It was fresh and captivating and I haven't sat and finished a book in one sitting for ages. I didn't LET life get in the way.

I loved Cinder. Like, a lot. She was relatable and different and everything I'd want. The world was interesting and Kai was a great hero. I wasn't blindsided by some of the twists but still enjoyed them. Would certainly recommend this book.

What about you? Read anything good in Feb??

The very definition of insanity

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This Week's Topic:
Syncing up with our Bookmobile Book of the Month, NOBODY BUT US by our own Kristin Halbrook, we're asking: Will and Zoe hit the road to be together. What's the craziest thing you've done for love, or what's your favorite book/movie moment of someone doing crazy things for love?

Oooh, I love this topic. i kinda think love is the definition of crazy - putting yourself out there on a hope and not much else and giving someone so much power to wound and hurt. It's insane in a way.

And brilliant.

The craziest ting I've done for love... I guess it was the chance I took on first seeing hubby. 4 am, I'm 17, my friend drunk next to me in the car spotted two guys. I thought they were definitely axe murderers and she thought 'hot'. So we stopped and we talked (she did have to threaten to be ill in my car) and i tried to keep the slasher imaginings to a minimum. then a day later - under my friend's badgering - we went past their place to say hi.

I would never let/want a daughter do it.

But maybe somehow I knew. or I was the worlds biggest idiot and extremely lucky. Either way.
=)
What about you - done anything crazy for love?

Ahhhh...... love....

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This Week's Topic:
 It's Valentine's Day! Let's jumpstart the lovefest by blogging about what you love most about writing (and/or reading)!

So, it's Valentine's Day here already in Australia. Started the day with a 5km run to make up for the bubbly or chocs am hoping for later *grin*.

Writing is a bit like running in that I adore 'having written'. Yesterday I wrote 'The End' on the work in progress and it felt brilliant. Love was most definitely in the air. Won't count the draft as done until I've done a read through but it was pretty good.

I love when characters speak to me. Hubby laughs when I'm at the computer grinning away because a character just said something I completely didn't expect.

It's a certain kind of magic.


What do you love about writing or reading??

Music on a Monday

I like music, lots I'd say, but I'm not a huge fan like hubby and Princess 7 - who is sure she's going to be a rockstar.

And I tend not to be able to listen while I write because I mentally sing along (badly) with the words. But i do find some songs will bring a WIP right into focus. Anything Taylor Swift (Princess 7 is playing this a lot) makes me think about my nearly-done story WIS.

In a complete departure, some old Cure comes to mind for another idea I'm playing with.

What about you? Can you write to music? Do you listen/read at the same time?