In a galaxy, far far away...

were two girls at the end of Form 6 (Year 12) who announced to their parents they were off to Tasmania for, what would later become known as, Schoolies. Very risque to say the least. This week we got together for a catch up birthday lunch for her birthday. Happy Birthday Stan. To me we will always be those two girls who hopped on a plane to go on an adventure of a llfetime.

It is the (pretend) long weekend that preceeds the bulk of Year 12 exams. While the rest of the family have gone off to play, I'm hanging around making my Year 12 eat (mostly) healthy food, driving to Officeworks for that one thing that could make all the difference with her Maths score and generally feeling like I'm in a doctor's waiting room.

Good luck to all the Year 12'ers out there. Sending good thoughts your way.

NaNoWriMo

November, which has become well known as MoNember to some, has also become known as NaNoWriMo for writers with a masochistic streak or those hoping to impose some writing discipline into their iives. This annual creative writing project began in 1999 in San Francisco with 21 participants. Last year over 170,000 people signed up for the event, and you can add three more people to that number as three bdb'ers decided to take the plunge and join in the fun this year. Anyone else taking up the challenge?

It's official - it's a book

What a fun night we had at Borders Knox City - a gorgeous space, great staff and loads of family, friends and fans to help officially launch Six into the big wide world.

Special mentions to:
Sue Lawson, official launcher, who travelled far to be there, BK and BAM who supplied some yummies, the bdb gang supportive as always, Bryce for the impromptu intro, Megan who took several modes of public transport to get there and Amy with an A who got the night off from work to also be there. Great to see you all. Thanks for making it such a memorable event.

PS - Good to see you Carole - and no it wasn't quite ten minutes.

Rad, Dude

13 years ago (and a bit) I took a photo of my daughter in her new school uniform with her backpack that reached down to the back of her knees. 13 years later, just this morning, I took a photo of her on her last day of school. Of course there were bound to be changes. She's having trouble with her skin at the moment (it's green).

So what was I doing on the eve of the Six book launch? Getting organised for the big day? Maybe having a relaxing facial or a manicure? Negative, dude. I was plodding through the $2 shops and K-Mart to find a Teen Mutant Ninja Turtle outfit — of course — for her and her three buddies. Then I sent her off to school today with strict instructions not to get involved in any muck up that will see her sitting her exams in the city instead of school.

Fingers crossed.

Obe One - you're my only hope...

I'm sending my message out there.
I'm looking for a line of text that will inspire me for my next book.
I spent two hours in the car coming home from the country
trying to find the voice for my next character.
I didn't talk, just kept trolling through a list of people
who didn't quite do it for me.
So now I resort to you, dear reader.
In the same way the my teacher would write a line of text
on the board and say, 'start writing'
I am looking for a line of text.
The person who writes the line I choose will receive a free copy of Six.

You're my only hope.

Mary McKillop - a feisty young thing

I don't have a vested interest in the Catholic faith, but for those of you who don't know much about Australia's new saint, The Black Dress from Pamela Freeman is a must read.

This book tells a tale of the early years of Mary and it is a rollicking historical tale, a great feminist saga and an insight into the early education system of Australia. If you've wondered what all the fuss is about, now's your chance to catch up.

Published by black dog books.

A message to Literary Life

I read Megan's blog recently - re her sister excited to have finished her 4,000 word essay, while Megan could brag 10,000 words of fiction (or was that more - and by the way congrats). The thing is, it's all about the angst. Sometimes 10,000 is a breeze and sometimes writing a birthday card is agony. "if I say this, do they think I mean that?"

I'm not saying that 4,000 words of essay is worth 10,000 words of fiction.
It's just that life isn't about the number of words, or Pulitzer prizes or accolades from your peers.
.
Were these the best 4,000/10,000 words you could do?
Then well done you.


(I will now spend the next 10 hours checking the nuances of this blog.)

Happy Birthday to ya

Friday 1 October.
Couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the release of my latest book than with my publisher, editor, and some close author friends who understand the excitement of it all.

Lunchtime was spent with Andrew and Melissa talking about the next project.
Then it was back to the black dog office for champagne and more talk with Jess and Phoebe.

Then a drive to the country for a writer's weekend retreat.
This gorgeous Six cake was created by the even more gorgeous Corinne Fenton who can not only write but is also Master Chef.

Best author weekend ever!