It was 26 degrees in Brisbane, it felt like I was in a different country. Even though there’s a drought, the sub-tropical vegetation still looks amazing to a southerner like me. My hotel was across the road from the Roma St Park which was gorgeous. Back in Melbourne it’s 15 degrees. But I’m not complaining, … Continued
Today I had my last book signing in Melbourne at the Mockingbird Bookshop in Mont Albert where I met lots of young readers (and some not so young!). Proprietor, Evelyn, gave me these lovely orchids. Aren’t they gorgeous? The arrangement is a work of art.
I have just changed my computer and my email program. It was very traumatic! I am worried that I might have lost some emails in the process. If you have emailed me or left a post on this blog, and I haven’t responded, let me know.
I got an email from a reader who asked me if it costs anything to get a book published. I thought it was a good question and other aspiring writers might be interested to know the answer. A writer doesn’t have to pay a publisher to print their book. Writers have expenses of course (I … Continued
I am a shocking traveller. I love the idea of travelling, love having travelled, but the best bit is always arriving home. I’ve only been to Adelaide for a week, but it is still great to be home. Good things about Adelaide: Spending time with family and friends. Holding a newborn family member. Walking on … Continued
A slightly belated Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all. Finished that draft. Got a cold. Body collapsed. Spent most of the last week in bed. Not to worry, it was an excuse to do nothing except eat chocolates (cough supressant so Lili tells me) and watch 15 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. I’m fine now….but … Continued
black dog books has got this new feature on their website. There are slideshows of how a bookcover evolves. As it happens, both examples are covers of my books! One is the Australian Dragonkeeper cover which is made up of many different layers. The other is Ned Kelly’s Jerilderie Letter, which doesn’t come out till … Continued
The first draft of Dragon Moon is finished, so I am having a bit of a breather before I start on the second draft. Not that I’m sitting around doing nothing. There are final touches to be done to what will be my next book The Jerilderie Letter which is an illustrated version of Ned … Continued
I had a good week this week. Despite many interruptions and diversions, I still wrote my self-imposed quota of words, worked out several plot dilemmas and found that two story strands unexpectedly linked together. And I think I have a title for the third Dragonkeeper book. (Not quite ready to tell anybody what it is … Continued
I’ve just read Lili’s post about finishing her first draft. I agree with her that first drafts are crap. Mine are anyway. I would be horrified if anybody read the first words I type. They are reworked many times before I dare to call it a first draft. A blank page is a scary thing. … Continued