tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47698729056041549902024-03-06T07:38:23.186+11:00Dawn Meredith - AuthorMy books for kids and young adults
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-26420137547869836632023-04-02T12:23:00.003+10:002023-06-22T17:07:54.431+10:00The Whispering Stone - young adult urban fantasy fiction<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2gtuBNlY64KunkVm_iFp4p9AU5OmSbQw4zWkFJobWKI5-G-D56iel1PQUCh3uuJ7vugfP4oFRbzV7pZRBUAcgj3Ziuksi3_o2AvveA6FUMonAqV0hNXeV9IbpXySYHvUsNMJYP8tBmYvaNHqCTM69pNziS2U5SX_UE22WD_yTiPY0DiA8LN1CROI/s1080/The%20Whispering%20Stone%2040%25.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2gtuBNlY64KunkVm_iFp4p9AU5OmSbQw4zWkFJobWKI5-G-D56iel1PQUCh3uuJ7vugfP4oFRbzV7pZRBUAcgj3Ziuksi3_o2AvveA6FUMonAqV0hNXeV9IbpXySYHvUsNMJYP8tBmYvaNHqCTM69pNziS2U5SX_UE22WD_yTiPY0DiA8LN1CROI/s320/The%20Whispering%20Stone%2040%25.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>LOOK!!!!</b></span> </p><div style="text-align: left;">My new novel for 13yrs+ is finally here!</div><div style="text-align: left;">I started writing this story in 2006. Can you believe it? It was one of my early works and had a long genesis as I was learning my craft. I never gave up on it, though and am SO HAPPY that it is finally born! Imagine being haunted by your twin; the twin brother you didn't know you had...<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Buy here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Whispering-Stone-Dawn-Meredith/dp/B0BZ378X7H/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">The Whispering Stone</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>So, what's it about?</b></span><br />A circle of salt on the ground, a wooden talisman and the ravings of an ancient mad woman – is it enough to free him from being haunted by his dead twin brother? Only the Whispering Stone, the sentinel, high up on Damage Cliffs, has the answer. It’s happened before. It will happen again. There is a debt to pay. A beautiful, sad-eyed girl says she’s his cousin. His best friend says he’s a selfish jerk and the girl he’s in love with won’t speak to him. Welcome to Harry’s world. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What about my other books?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is a list of my other books so far:<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Annoying Monsters – Self Talk for Kids with Anxiety</span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><i>Young
Adult Fiction</i></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">:</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rebel
– book one of the FLIGHT trilogy</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Elkwood</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Whispering Stone <br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Adult
Fiction:</span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Letters
from the Dead</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> See my <a href="https://dawnmeredithauthor.blogspot.com/p/dawn-merediths-published-books-for.html" target="_blank">books page</a> for more details on where to order.<br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: CenturyGothic; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></div><div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: CenturyGothic; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></div>
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<![endif]--> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-52068431088629433232022-08-08T13:43:00.009+10:002023-04-02T12:07:39.738+10:00ELKWOOD by Dawn Meredith - Urban Science Fiction novel for teens<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-7y_YK-5mTkXKbG3ndcquB0kfkWmwcVt9TJA58S9nXEbVyTJ777JSQWArUI_IyRwGsbPXsX3ffDLnsGG-TpGaDxpgM89MxOEHP6TDsDCp4jCODpNkPg31__6OyMFOMW9StOM5Id5akwOQcVhjKNGzOuVYHmGi5l2BTRfCnXZLiZKCMXGPh-aYvkb/s675/ELKWOOD%2025%25.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-7y_YK-5mTkXKbG3ndcquB0kfkWmwcVt9TJA58S9nXEbVyTJ777JSQWArUI_IyRwGsbPXsX3ffDLnsGG-TpGaDxpgM89MxOEHP6TDsDCp4jCODpNkPg31__6OyMFOMW9StOM5Id5akwOQcVhjKNGzOuVYHmGi5l2BTRfCnXZLiZKCMXGPh-aYvkb/s320/ELKWOOD%2025%25.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>My newest book, ELKWOOD, is available now! It's an urban science fiction novel exploring the idea of transhumanism. Does that sound a bit mad? Well, it may not be that far into the future. What does an ordinary teenage girl have to do with transhumanism, the evolution of the human species into something new? Well, you'll have to read the book to find out! <p></p><p>Charlotte is an unusual heroine because she is not that likeable at first. She is all about faking it - being popular, high fashion and keeping her underlings under control. But when she uncovers a secret about herself, the facade plummets and her carefully constructed world shatters. She is not who she always thought she was. It's going to take guts and sheer force of will to fix this gigantic shift in her life. But at what price? Her beloved father is in danger. A ruthless organisation, Elkwood, is after her DNA. Is she strong enough to do the unthinkable?<br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Check it out here: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Elkwood-Dawn-Meredith/dp/1925821978/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/elkwood-dawn-meredith/1141126433" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/author/dawn-meredith/" target="_blank">abebooks</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div aria-labelledby="tab-title-description" class="woocommerce-Tabs-panel woocommerce-Tabs-panel--description panel entry-content wc-tab" id="tab-description" role="tabpanel">
<p style="background: white;"><span face="'Arial',sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"> </span></p><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-74173689186284817592022-06-07T10:44:00.007+10:002022-06-07T10:49:46.032+10:00REBEL - teen book is Thor/Ironman/Avatar/Lord of the Rings rolled into one!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKxT7to_v5sN1GA0F1Pu7FfWt5RV-jyZyCdTPxGwWv_NFlE7mqaNda-si2vgyWnQ1eg0eTxcONfpeFvKM5YV0vr3GlnIkZV3PH4zEBF4fvSlvmBtFmYL9TwGOPSkJfv-p4kdxO2bDw2WYH7cOWnQLfJrdQgRAWE2PESa5lVQNjiZIrY7ABvE_J53T/s2048/Rebel%20k.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKxT7to_v5sN1GA0F1Pu7FfWt5RV-jyZyCdTPxGwWv_NFlE7mqaNda-si2vgyWnQ1eg0eTxcONfpeFvKM5YV0vr3GlnIkZV3PH4zEBF4fvSlvmBtFmYL9TwGOPSkJfv-p4kdxO2bDw2WYH7cOWnQLfJrdQgRAWE2PESa5lVQNjiZIrY7ABvE_J53T/s320/Rebel%20k.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p>I am very proud of REBEL, my young adult/adult crossover book about a cocky 17 year old flying hero with a broken wing, set in the lush, mountainous region of Avendor. I love Tolkien's Middle Earth but have resisted the urge to include orcs and elves in this series. Couldn't exclude dragons though...</p><p>The Meer are a vicious, seafaring tribe who invade the beautiful valley of Avendor and force into slavery the winged inhabitants, Dragonkind. One hundred years later, after many failed attempts to free themselves, Dragonkind put their faith in Reeve, a reckless teenage boy who loves to play pranks and doesn't take anything seriously. Why? You'll have to the read the book to find out...</p><p>click here for your own print copy: <a href="https://www.shootingstar.pub/product/rebel-the-flight-trilogy-book-1/" target="_blank">Rebel - by Dawn Meredith</a></p><p>or here: <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/rebel-dawn-meredith/ebook/9781925821451.html" target="_blank">ebook from Booktopia</a></p><p> <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-88714659287478423482021-09-18T11:57:00.014+10:002022-01-19T15:27:24.297+11:00Writing groups really help!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-w45NTCFkTRy1s2RJauu0ikXMu1ZuRWGgBFJBC-PrIYu-eFmPo2HWgGtMEuUYkJn9gI4jJZk1y27dJa84tYXTiwsbyVig0EZj4sEee2S2lG7KusZu2knGvnSQSTRYat8nuoIGN55CKsA/s743/ideas+are+like+rabbits.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="https://www.bookdepository.com/Ideas-are-like-Rabbits-Allan-Jamieson/9780975753699" border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-w45NTCFkTRy1s2RJauu0ikXMu1ZuRWGgBFJBC-PrIYu-eFmPo2HWgGtMEuUYkJn9gI4jJZk1y27dJa84tYXTiwsbyVig0EZj4sEee2S2lG7KusZu2knGvnSQSTRYat8nuoIGN55CKsA/w273-h400/ideas+are+like+rabbits.jpg" title="Ideas Are Like Rabbits anthology" width="273" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Exciting News!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />I am part of a local writing group in Tasmania. We are a diverse bunch of people of all different ages and backgrounds. Many have not been previously published, but now they can say they have! Our 2021 anthology, Ideas Are Like Rabbits is now available online through bookdepository. <br /><br />click here to see it and order! </p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Ideas-like-Rabbits-Allan-Jamieson/dp/097575369X">Ideas Are Like Rabbits</a> from Amazon</p><p><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ideas-are-like-rabbits-allan-jamieson/1140132909" target="_blank">Ideas are like rabbits</a> from Barnes and Noble</p><p></p><p></p><p>So, you may ask, why the strange title? It's a quote from Australian writer John Steinbeck, who described the process of writing as collecting rabbits which pop up, sometime at random moments: "Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen."<br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">What's in the anthology?</span><br />Lots of short stories and poems from many different writers of all ages! Including some of mine. As an author of children's and young adult books, I have some stories in this collection that have never been published before! Here is a short rundown:<br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Short stories/picture book texts - </span><br />1. Mr Twigg - about a street where lots of interesting characters live. It's a true story of a real street in England in the 1940s.<br />2. As a Bird Sees It - a very short story about how it feels to jump out of a plane with a parachute!<br />3. Crystal - a story about a very unusual girl with Autism.<br />4. The Secret Box - a little sister falls inside four of the most dangerous fairytales in the world. Her elder sister has to find a way to follow her inside each one and rescue her against giants, witches, wolves and naughty gnomes.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Writing Groups are Fun!</span><br />You know what's so great about writing groups? We chat about writing and share information on how to write, how to get published, how to design book covers yourself or through a book designer, how to format your work correctly, how to send to a publisher. We also talk about our own work, helping each other when we get stuck or aren't sure what to do next.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Neverending Stories</span> <br />We also write stories together! They are called 'Neverending' stories, in which some of us write a chapter then send it on to the next person, round and round. Eventually we have to decide how to end it. But who knows how long that will take?</p><p></p><p>order a copy here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Ideas-like-Rabbits-Allan-Jamieson/dp/097575369X" target="_blank">Ideas are like Rabbits</a> Amazon</p><p><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ideas-are-like-rabbits-allan-jamieson/1140132909" target="_blank">Ideas are like rabbits</a> Barnes and Noble<br /><br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-39051571556736603492021-09-13T21:41:00.006+10:002021-09-13T21:43:04.071+10:00Spring into writing! How to keep motivated<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRz0pAPPHP3xzUkkpev4e9ryO8Xh6bj2fzzLHBVwBmS4Sy-KQdR8rUgTZAbmtMOFlewoQ0Vm5onODYnNPU-_udigUyt-ju9otvd0Fwdr3RxaQ8XNFGHezuT9DchiMNAbo7mz-uD7Rtgtc/s2533/20200824_183105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1241" data-original-width="2533" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRz0pAPPHP3xzUkkpev4e9ryO8Xh6bj2fzzLHBVwBmS4Sy-KQdR8rUgTZAbmtMOFlewoQ0Vm5onODYnNPU-_udigUyt-ju9otvd0Fwdr3RxaQ8XNFGHezuT9DchiMNAbo7mz-uD7Rtgtc/w640-h314/20200824_183105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I have almost finished the first draft of my current young adult novel, <i>Runaway,</i> which is the second in the FLIGHT series and my 14th book. The main character is Sye - a beautiful but troubled dragonkind girl with finely scaled golden skin and wings. She is trying to figure out who she is meant to be, what she is supposed to do with her life since the end of the war. She has a dark past and struggles to be close to people. Then a fearsome creature of legend asks for her help, (well, kind of tricks her into helping him) and they embark on a dangerous quest to the icy north, to Shagrath, the White Kingdom.<p></p><p>I planned this novel for six months, covering the wall of my studio with scene ideas on index cards, a whiteboard with plot stages, numerous A4 sized notebooks on culture, languages, characters and events. I thought I had enough to get me over the line, keep me on track.</p><p>But alas! The closer I got to the end the more anxious I became. <i>Because I just couldn't figure out how it ended. </i>That sounds absurd, doesn't it? After all, I'd spent all that time planning the book...</p><p>This is nothing new to me. I always reach a moment in the writing of a book where I seriously begin to wonder why I started it! Doubts creep in. But, you know, there are ways around that, so that I can finish the book and be proud of it. Here's my top tips:</p><p>1. Sometimes you just need space from your work. Put it aside for a few weeks. Don't think about it, if you can! Sure, if you get a brainwave write it down, but don't agonise over it. Give your brain a chance to think outside the box you have created.</p><p>2. Ask for help. I have test readers, marvellous people who read my work and make suggestions, provide feedback and critique. I love it. They see things I can't see. Often, they come up with an idea that just fits perfectly and away I go again!</p><p>3. Think of several different endings, no matter how wild. Something will spring from the chaos!</p><p>4. Read books of a completely different genre.</p><p>5. Watch a TV show that takes you away from your book. Something entirely different.</p><p>6. Go for walks and use your phone to dictate thoughts and frustrations. Just by identifying what is not working can sometimes help you realise what needs to change. Walk along the beach, or with the dog at the park etc. Walking helps you think.</p><p>So, there are a few of my suggestions! Don't give up! I will go back to <i>Runaway</i> in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I have a new book coming out soon with my publisher, Shooting Star Press, <a href="https://www.shootingstar.pub/" target="_blank">https://www.shootingstar.pub/</a> called <i>Elkwood.</i> </p><p>What's it about? </p><p>Imagine you find out you are a clone of yourself, that you actually died when you were eight years old! And your clone body is starting to change... You can do things no one else can, but there's a price to pay for using this new power...</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-73242207630436644392021-01-10T14:11:00.003+11:002021-09-19T00:27:04.477+10:00Paperbacks and ebooks - which do you prefer?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As an author, I am interested in what format people favour for their reading. Is it ebook on your e-reader? Is it paperback, for that physical experience? Do you like hardcover, as opposed to paperback?</div><p></p><p>As a voracious reader I don't really mind paperback or hardcover but I find ebooks rather tedious. So it's a last resort for me, if I can't get hold of the 'real thing.' But you may feel differently! I love the smell of a book, the feel of the pages, the weight of it in my hands. And I am always borrowing books form my local library to take with me when I have to sit in a waiting room. Each night I read in bed. It's wonderful to dive into other worlds just before you sleep.</p><p>Lots of people take an e-reader away with them on holiday, as they can carry many books on a small device. There are benefits there, definitely!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiADccqycRcWd9HfRbEaeHd5aRkgCb-bP8LmeWbHmPLV_or3FErzsAocMnXS8nnFeuVla7YmWcHLiwkAJBg6aEDBPr0Q4iLSp19hPWf_lLWevnYlNNA4tvlRfUopLcFTRiUaRyfIW2cQ0/s1053/at+market.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="1053" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiADccqycRcWd9HfRbEaeHd5aRkgCb-bP8LmeWbHmPLV_or3FErzsAocMnXS8nnFeuVla7YmWcHLiwkAJBg6aEDBPr0Q4iLSp19hPWf_lLWevnYlNNA4tvlRfUopLcFTRiUaRyfIW2cQ0/w400-h264/at+market.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>In the lead-up to Christmas I sold lots of my books at local events. It was great to get out and meet readers, as well as parents and grandparents who buy books for their families. As I currently have a broad range of genres - children's, teen and adult, fiction and non-fiction, it's wonderful to be able to offer people what they are looking for and sometimes I get to hear their thoughts on a particular book of mine they have read and enjoyed. <a href="http://dawnmeredithauthor.blogspot.com/p/dawn-merediths-published-books-for.html" target="_blank">click here for info about my books</a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0W2uxSK_MZxMKiAM00fgoxBKffsiw9RaH1K7HCN1llthId2Z0E0VlNn3teoZono4bBmSpJL9fwEb5R3WI3hydWTIz64UqB4bWliEbsNroexYoShoHeBiHSZ3JcHUpOxFUhcaQ8b9nRw/s1229/rebel+cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0W2uxSK_MZxMKiAM00fgoxBKffsiw9RaH1K7HCN1llthId2Z0E0VlNn3teoZono4bBmSpJL9fwEb5R3WI3hydWTIz64UqB4bWliEbsNroexYoShoHeBiHSZ3JcHUpOxFUhcaQ8b9nRw/s320/rebel+cover.jpg" /></a></div>My fantasy novel <i>Rebel</i> (book 1 of the FLIGHT trilogy) was released in August. I absolutely LOVE the cover! You can buy your own copy here:<p></p><p><a href="https://www.shootingstar.pub/books/rebel-the-flight-trilogy-book-1/" target="_blank">REBEL - paperbook and ebook</a><br /></p>'A young rebel is called to lead - with a broken wing and absolutely no idea what he is doing.'<p><span style="font-size: large;">Remote School Visits</span></p><p>During covid in 2020 I managed to get involved with a couple of schools for workshop and appearances. Through the magic of the internet I was able to speak to students at Brisbane Grammar and a lovely public school in NSW for the Books in Homes program. It's not the same as being there, of course. And I can't sign their copies of my books, but it's great to hear what they're interested in, the books they read and see their drawings.</p><p><span style="font-size: large;">New Books for 2021</span></p><p>I have signed contracts for two more novels and I am hoping they come out this year! </p><p><i>Elkwood </i> is Urban Science Fiction for teens, (kinda Buffy/Legally Blonde/Big Bang theory) about a girl, Charlotte, who goes from fashion queen to dying superhero with a strange ability to manipulate spacetime, just a fraction! She used to worry incessantly about her clothes, makeup, what her so-called friends thought of her, now she finds herself worried about whether she will live long enough and have the strength to save her father from the mysterious and dangerous organisation called Elkwood. Her friends are now a bunch of geeks, who are the only true friends she has and try to help her understand what is happening to her body. Charlotte finds herself falling in love with a boy who has secrets of his own.</p><p><i>Secrets of the Water Meadow </i> is for younger readers, age 7+ and is about two sisters who live on an island in Norway. The younger sister, Freya, befriends a creature of the deep fjord, a mermaid of sorts, called a 'havfrue', whom legend says drags small children down into the fjord to live with them. Freya's elder sister Lisbet has a terrible secret she won't tell anyone. Freya confides in her new friend, whom she calls Lorelei, who seems to listen and understand, even though she can't actually speak. When Lisbet runs away and her uncle almost drowns trying to find her, will Lorelei help the humans, because of her friendship with Freya?</p><p>Well, that's it for now. At the moment I am working on book two of the FLIGHT trilogy. It's called <i>Runaway.</i> The first book is about Reeve, but this book is about Sye, a girl of dark secrets who must travel to the frozen north to find the Ice Dragons to help save a friend of hers. She is an apprentice blacksmith, so I am having lots of fun researching that!</p><p>Have an excellent 2021! I hope you got LOTS of books for Christmas!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-18235310658043862282020-09-02T13:45:00.006+10:002021-09-19T00:29:57.102+10:00NEW BOOK for author Dawn Meredith REBEL, book 1 of the Flight trilogy<p> I am SO EXCITED to share with you my latest book, for young adults, <i>REBEL!</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgG73Mve8ghK7tfAq6YT6lt1OktreXXXG0ykLw0zdIiG0UQMNVQxs21PqNCKe4JNbNdv4crvO0iJnTJIcqObXPjVwc4_4t5PdX1ZoeDv-n80nvFv3md78poypp5gRQw43QNc7yB8YV-U/s2048/Rebel+k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgG73Mve8ghK7tfAq6YT6lt1OktreXXXG0ykLw0zdIiG0UQMNVQxs21PqNCKe4JNbNdv4crvO0iJnTJIcqObXPjVwc4_4t5PdX1ZoeDv-n80nvFv3md78poypp5gRQw43QNc7yB8YV-U/w250-h400/Rebel+k.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br />Here is the gorgeous cover! <i>REBEL </i>is about Reeve, a dragonkind youth. All his life he has been told it is forbidden for him and his kind to fly, despite them having the most glorious wings. The Meer, who are overlords in his country of Avendor, treat Dragonkind like slaves. But Reeve, being the daredevil prankster that he is, decides the law is STUPID and jumps off from Eagle Lookout to test his wings. That have never held his weight, mind you.<p></p><p>What Reeve failed to realise was that not only would he be caught and punished, but his close friend Sye would also be imprisoned. And tortured. There is something very special about Sye that nobody knows. Not even herself. </p><p>Lucian, the (evil dude), has been described as 'delightfully odious' by reviewer Craig Cormick. Anyway, Lucian hates Sye and everything she represents. She is a symbol of hope for her people and he can't have that interfere with his rise to power.</p><p>So he makes an example of Reeve by having him publicly flogged. </p><p>Unknown to both Sye and Reeve there are Dragonkind living in secret in the forest called Valley of the Giants. These forest cousins, called The Red Branch, have been waiting for a hero to set them free, a war to end the Meer overlords. Recent events have forced their hand. So now they merge from their hiding place. And go to war. Reeve has a huge role to play in uniting both city and forest Dragonkind. Will he accept it? And how can he lead when his wing is broken? </p><p>But Reeve is a rebel, after all. And rebels don't give up.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can buy your own copy here: </div><p></p><p>paperback - <a href="https://www.shootingstar.pub/product/rebel-the-flight-trilogy-book-1/" target="_blank">REBEL by Dawn Meredith paperback</a></p><p>ebook - <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Rebel-Flight-Book-Dawn-Meredith-ebook/dp/B08CSWSBWX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Rebel+Flight&qid=1595903211&sr=8-1" target="_blank">kindle version of REBEL</a></p><p>ebook - <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1012425" target="_blank">smashwords version REBEL</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-7535419947129585912020-06-26T14:55:00.000+10:002020-06-26T14:55:08.574+10:00Kitchen gardens, pear pies and drawing - what Covid 19 did for meAs a childrens' author I am constantly thinking of cool ideas to write about. Sometimes there's a bit of a traffic jam in my head as all the ideas start shouting at once! That's when I have to get organised.<br />
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I used to write everything in notebooks. Then I filled 18 of them and couldn't remember where I wrote things! So I switched to a totally different system - index cards. whatever idea that comes to me is jotted down, whether its a story idea, a character, a scene or random stuff i don't know where to put. If I can't sleep because an idea is buzzing inside my skull I reach for a pen and a card, which are next to my bed. Then the next day I file them with similar ideas. So far its working really well! If I have ideas about the book I am currently writing, the cards help me keep important bits of information close by, where I can access them, rather that hunting through all those notebooks!<br />
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So, being a bit organised helps me keep all these exciting little tidbits handy for when I want to use them. Try it!<br />
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So, living through Covid 19 has been interesting hasn't it? Some families have unfortunately suffered from a parent losing their job. Other families have had to adjust to working from home, with all the distractions and jobs to do! PLUS kids being home schooled! What it unique is that every country int he world has been experiencing this together, AT THE SAME TIME. Never have we all been so closely connected by experiences.<br />
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Lots of new music and films and books have already begun to emerge from this interesting period. I have gone back to serious drawing, which I used to love so much! I completed the eagle drawing, then a horse and now I am working on a tabby cat. (somewhat ambitious I think, because it's a lot harder than I thought!).<br />
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We live on a beautiful 100 acre farm in Tasmania, where there is always lots to do! In a few months we will have lambs popping out, so things will get VERY BUSY! (see my other blog about the farm <a href="https://crumbletonmanor.blogspot.com/">https://crumbletonmanor.blogspot.com/</a> )</div>
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During isolation we home schooled our daughter, so that took up lots of writing time. I also had a very productive kitchen garden (not a garden in the kitchen, silly, a garden FOR the kitchen!) and was cooking, bottling and chopping all sorts of yummy stuff. I cooked pies, bottled pears and tomatoes, made jam and all sorts of things. It was all very exciting, but there was little time to work on book 2 of my FLIGHT trilogy. Remember book 1 - Rebel?</div>
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<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1012425">buy Rebel on smashwords</a></div>
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Isolation made things very difficult for my publisher too, Shooting Star Press. Consequently Rebel is only an ebook at the moment. Print version will be available soon. We've all had to change how we do things, haven't we? Except Harry, of course. He just does what he pleases most of the time, which generally involves sleeping. I bought him a harness and we go for walks outside now. He is a little scared of the sheep! But quite happy to sniff noses with Polly and Flossie, our border collies. Sometimes he 'helps' me in the kitchen. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">apple pies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Harry 'helping'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Harry and Flossie pear picking</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">some produce from my kitchen garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Harry on a day trip to our bottom 50 acres to pick rosehips</td></tr>
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As we all start to get back to the 'new normal' I find myself quite keen to get moving with new projects. So I am working on the tabby portrait, AND book 2 (called Runaway) AND planting out vegetable seedlings in my garden AND planning what flowers I want for spring. Phew! Covid 19 has made me very busy.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-19656129309875680922019-12-29T14:58:00.000+11:002019-12-29T15:00:22.796+11:002019 - surprises right til the end!<span style="font-size: large;">Hello!</span><br />
Well, we're nearing the end of 2019! I think I will concede defeat and start saying 'twenty...' instead of 'two thousand...' It seems simpler and less tongue twisty! What did you get up to over Christmas? We had a couple of gatherings and lots of great food! Harry loved his new toys. And the dogs' toys too!<br />
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We swam in the big dam for the first time since we moved here last year. That's now possible because of all the work hubby has done to clear away nasty thistles, bracken and bulrushes, so there's less places for snakes to hide... The water is so deliciously cool! next I'm going to buy some old pallets and make a sort of platform and then a floating raft thing you can swim out to. Won't that be fantastic?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what's new?</span><br />
I'm in my studio, facing its first summer here on the farm and its so far been pretty cool inside. The Lithuanian pine log cabin style seems to keep the heat in nicely in winter the cool inside in summer. I have been working very hard in my garden since the weather improved. Such lovely days we have now! Sunny, gentle breeze and around 25 Celsius. That's a Tassie summer for you! I have some gorgeous colours to gaze at while I beaver away at the keyboard and watch the birds splashing in the birdbath, catching insects on the fly and hopping about.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Superb Blue Wrens</span><br />
Speaking of birds, the Superb Blues wrens are nesting in my big flower bed, among the pansies! If you look at the photo below you can see some red and yellow flowers. The wrens are nesting somewhere between them, quite low to the ground. I only found this out because I was hauling out the ridiculously long and overgrown pansies and came across the nest. The female takes 3-4 days to build it. Unfortunately the three chicks in the first nest died so this is her second attempt. Good luck Mrs Wren!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kelly</span><br />
In other news, we have a beautiful new girl in our lives - Kelly. She is a three year old palomino, quarter horse/warmblood. She is stunning! And has a sweet temperament. She's only very young (horses can live to 40 years old) and full of mischief! Adjusting to life here on our farm has been different for her, because she had never left the stud where she was born. Kelly is learning lots every day and getting on with the sheep and our border collies Polly and Flossie.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly the palomino</td></tr>
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You can see more of all of them on<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mytasmaniangarden/"> instagram</a> @mytasmaniangarden.<br />
Kelly has her own hastag - #kellythepalomino<br />
So does Harry #harryatcrumbletonmanor<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Freya</span><br />
For my new book coming out soon, a young adult fantasy novel, <i>Rebel,</i> I have finished drawing a white eagle, which is one of the characters in the book. Everyone who pre-orders a copy through the publisher's website <a href="https://www.shootingstar.pub/books/rebel-the-flight-trilogy-book-1/">Shooting Star Press</a> will receive a copy of Freya, the giant white eagle! Here is the finished drawing:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">New Book</span><br />
In other news, I have started writing my next book! All you mid graders out there may be interested to know that I'm working on a farmstay series called Hartfields. The first book is called <i>The Foal of Emerald Queen. </i>Chapter one is complete and now chapter two is coming into life. It's about Jessica Jane, called JJ by her friends, whose family decides to up and move to Bear Island. Lots of chaos and fun! And horses. So if you are interested in how horses think and feel and act, this book will be great! If you're into adventure you'll love it too. I'd love to tell you more but... not yet.<br />
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Well, that's it for now. I have to get back to writing. Have an excellent New Year's Eve and many warm wishes for fun and excitement in 2020.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-86249832962062844432018-10-06T21:15:00.003+10:002018-10-06T21:15:45.976+10:00Christina Booth - Australian Author/Illustrator of fabulous stories!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina Booth and me</td></tr>
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Recently I attended a CBCA (Childrens Book Council of Australia) function here in Tasmania and met Christina Booth, author/illustrator, who was the guest speaker. Not only is she an amazing and talented author and illustrator, but a really nice person to boot! And quite funny! I can see why she enjoys writing for children so much and why they enjoy her workshops/visits.<br />
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Christina has written, authored and illustrated many books for kids, some winning awards, such as The ANZAC Tree, which won a Notable award this year.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.4px;"><i>"The Anzac Tree is the story of those left behind at times of war. Inspired by the true story of two brothers who planted two trees before departing for The Great War, The Anzac Tree follows the stories of the children left behind in each generation as Australia faces a new conflict. After one hundred years of Anzac Commemorations and war history, we journey through the changes in attitudes, events and circumstances looking through the eyes of Phillip (WW1), Kenneth (WW2), Sophie (Korea), Emily (Vietnam), Chris (Iraq) and Jack (Afghanistan). Presented like a scrapbook of memories and notes, this story is suitable for younger children through to adults."</i> (from Christina's website: <a href="http://www.christinabooth.com/the-anzac-tree.html">click here</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHNtogNzHcpk1onYNa_T2yxnfuE1PREAmZkkYv5764yWHa1nUfn5_FnkJSFHaTW0kxOXcSwqmyM4TBaiUzr2GAans05Hg4OKczBvxfQ0VVRLv1bthLHSu0nlg-L6k4P9Gdbcg2sHbDkU/s1600/too++many+sheep.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="515" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHNtogNzHcpk1onYNa_T2yxnfuE1PREAmZkkYv5764yWHa1nUfn5_FnkJSFHaTW0kxOXcSwqmyM4TBaiUzr2GAans05Hg4OKczBvxfQ0VVRLv1bthLHSu0nlg-L6k4P9Gdbcg2sHbDkU/s320/too++many+sheep.bmp" width="305" /></a></div>
One of her favourite books is Too Many Sheep, which is such fun!<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.4px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.4px;"><i>"When Grandpa Jack can't sleep, he counts sheep, and off to sleep he goes. So what happens if you can't find any sheep to count? you invite them to your house of course. Follow the antics of too many sheep and how they can't help you sleep, or can they?"</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.4px;">(<a href="http://www.christinabooth.com/too-many-sheep.html">click here</a>)</span><br />
<br />
Other titles include: Kip, Welcome Home, Purinina and Potato Music. At the CBCA function Christina unveiled her newest book, which hadn't been released yet, about the last Tasmanian Tiger, or Thylacine, as they are officially called. I will freely admit we were all affected by her reading of this story. Beautiful detail in her artwork and a very moving and sad tale of the life of the last female tiger, inaccurately called Benjamin, who died in Beaumaris zoo here in Tassie in 1936.<br />
<br />
Christina is not afraid to tackle these hefty subjects. She has written about war, whaling, forgiveness, the environment, family and more.<br />
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The SCBWI conference is in Hobart soon and I look forward to catching up with Christina again!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-31929794635991811322018-04-02T23:19:00.000+10:002018-04-02T23:19:19.706+10:00Wing's Wildlife Park - fabulous family day out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIey4iLgQa37Ic2FbvOubzguzoS9k5NtNQk5EteTEMT1DgiWxJcHj64a2LcVd6s3I8wC07R4ghTU0yHbHRtHoVAp6SRlmVU-xZJGXAQALz2-mergXBKDT6LMrIOtyGDUBpJU-kiT7vTkI/s1600/2018-03-31+13.27.50.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIey4iLgQa37Ic2FbvOubzguzoS9k5NtNQk5EteTEMT1DgiWxJcHj64a2LcVd6s3I8wC07R4ghTU0yHbHRtHoVAp6SRlmVU-xZJGXAQALz2-mergXBKDT6LMrIOtyGDUBpJU-kiT7vTkI/s400/2018-03-31+13.27.50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
We
finally got to visit Wings Wildlife Park today. Its been owned and
operated by the Wing family for 31 years and proudly has 8 generations
of the family associated with it. It's a beautifully set out place, very
professionally organised and the animals are in the absolute best care.
Makes me worry sometimes that animals are kept for or amusement, but
Wings has mostly surrendered or injured animals which cannot be released
back into the wild.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXJX7iLOPTE0lHvGkZRb9T62dm5v5LBhPr-AR4eQj0JXCSx-b0VZlU9uKicdzXc5L2OAa1y3Pc5k_mLbSi0DIWddyghcmmOz5mincDJ0Lge4IKrhp3WlD7tuzefSC8SsJVsVO8v5K5k4/s1600/20180331_120236.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXJX7iLOPTE0lHvGkZRb9T62dm5v5LBhPr-AR4eQj0JXCSx-b0VZlU9uKicdzXc5L2OAa1y3Pc5k_mLbSi0DIWddyghcmmOz5mincDJ0Lge4IKrhp3WlD7tuzefSC8SsJVsVO8v5K5k4/s400/20180331_120236.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fern the orphaned wombat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In recent years they've expanded their collection and
now have everything from standard Aussie animals such as wombats,
kangaroos, koalas and Tasmanian Devils to American Buffalo, miniature
horses, reptiles of all sorts, fish, huge bird aviaries, goats, frogs,
deer, alpacas, Marmoset monkeys, an albino magpie and meerkats! I'm sure
there are many I've forgotten. There's something cool everywhere you
look. Also the food in the canteen is fantastic. Hubby and I shared a
massive Buffalo burger with crunchy potato circle thingies and salad.
They employ two chefs and about 20 staff. There are plenty of souvenir
options for tourists.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIG54Mif5Imo6ghh99SuLz3AXKZd5QxaPSzhyphenhypheni4hmFZTjGnjBdIh3R0VnwWCR0rTlPfq65WZuL2DJt9qHCsNoIr_DFUeqSGW_DGfWmXWaOTcMrJ-ORmcchqdtzogABUrd3EmLSSjQY-c/s1600/20180331_121809%255B1%255D.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIG54Mif5Imo6ghh99SuLz3AXKZd5QxaPSzhyphenhypheni4hmFZTjGnjBdIh3R0VnwWCR0rTlPfq65WZuL2DJt9qHCsNoIr_DFUeqSGW_DGfWmXWaOTcMrJ-ORmcchqdtzogABUrd3EmLSSjQY-c/s320/20180331_121809%255B1%255D.jpg" width="224" /></a>Wings
Wildlife Park is situated in the lush and gorgeous Gunns Plains valley,
along the River Leven. Idyllic location with wonderful views. The
animals are so lucky! There are lots of different types of tours and
interactions you can choose from. We paid for the guided tour which
included special cuddle sessions with baby Tassie Devil, a baby wombat
and a young koala. Magic! We also hand fed the Marmoset monkeys,
kangaroos and emus. Everywhere we went there were little kids running
around with food sacks dishing out grain to animals, in total safety and
supervision.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_o4pcM5m6XrCqsryiCMjyL9IINWyijt43lzR1CxsQU9zVsi2hdaYObY9dEXl3OyrzG-9oOHy1KT7rMEuf2JnmZ9dS_Uo6-7h9WpnMPYZkXowauGC6_Pvpy2SDgRlg7VLM5bSf6n6bNc/s1600/20180331_130030.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_o4pcM5m6XrCqsryiCMjyL9IINWyijt43lzR1CxsQU9zVsi2hdaYObY9dEXl3OyrzG-9oOHy1KT7rMEuf2JnmZ9dS_Uo6-7h9WpnMPYZkXowauGC6_Pvpy2SDgRlg7VLM5bSf6n6bNc/s640/20180331_130030.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lottie the koala</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Kidlet signed up to become a member of
Kids Club, which gives her access to events, workshops, half price entry
any time for 12 months and lots more. She can't wait!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRGiNQfg1uKkljfGMkXTVONo4fYEh46U0gFX4CdtfS2xmeOhvT1sgyuR9c29k1CLabSwI3pvR9ZMpqhZsPF4qf2TS4iFeatXYGzFZlxJEVzXSXtpLZJDUHP8kXrEPzieRyIUQKQ516gM/s1600/20180331_115929.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRGiNQfg1uKkljfGMkXTVONo4fYEh46U0gFX4CdtfS2xmeOhvT1sgyuR9c29k1CLabSwI3pvR9ZMpqhZsPF4qf2TS4iFeatXYGzFZlxJEVzXSXtpLZJDUHP8kXrEPzieRyIUQKQ516gM/s400/20180331_115929.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">young Tassie Devil hand raised</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8t5dy-_QuhchH_ExzpoSSkZ0Uz3S2ERp8GYygvaZOeCc04ssmHmhY43XV3ChOtOuYadoB_dD6GPJF3bdwi1NuzGrXEDZ_ykelhVrdKL15bCAF79CpxEyVsVm-vJVoDDgz8Olbq-fX5c/s1600/2018-03-31+17.30.30.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1475" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8t5dy-_QuhchH_ExzpoSSkZ0Uz3S2ERp8GYygvaZOeCc04ssmHmhY43XV3ChOtOuYadoB_dD6GPJF3bdwi1NuzGrXEDZ_ykelhVrdKL15bCAF79CpxEyVsVm-vJVoDDgz8Olbq-fX5c/s320/2018-03-31+17.30.30.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">albino magpie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaMYxMSqhUH6bhDmkMgWuAy68zxvFzgovMcbHVO8HA6fJ1_xXYKp6boNBWry8qulUS8PFoQf_8Smbc0igo-9C9vXBAxnEL0COfQz3insNAxy6OyvbtsRf_-xSyS-o86wSelQvdsCoa5g/s1600/goat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaMYxMSqhUH6bhDmkMgWuAy68zxvFzgovMcbHVO8HA6fJ1_xXYKp6boNBWry8qulUS8PFoQf_8Smbc0igo-9C9vXBAxnEL0COfQz3insNAxy6OyvbtsRf_-xSyS-o86wSelQvdsCoa5g/s320/goat.jpg" width="264" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">very friendly goat</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NLspJzHSmOVIqtbluUM8aifAk83Na3rUPuhk0nBVBre8bO0zuE2ZpwBn50kUvvTLkVfg1Mod0yzkn-V1yPnuAxbx5FpA3dkQbWpdmS4XhKueXSTHeQGL9be3wCbG03aKx7mgWZvohHk/s1600/20180331_122634.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NLspJzHSmOVIqtbluUM8aifAk83Na3rUPuhk0nBVBre8bO0zuE2ZpwBn50kUvvTLkVfg1Mod0yzkn-V1yPnuAxbx5FpA3dkQbWpdmS4XhKueXSTHeQGL9be3wCbG03aKx7mgWZvohHk/s640/20180331_122634.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe the gorgeous wombat </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-83351960009510037342018-02-24T21:57:00.002+11:002018-02-28T12:34:22.064+11:00What are your favourite books to read over and over?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRePkBXIXUgJktq_sA_Kl8NeKZbmVOd7uQDaf_W8PiQrqembJ5wQZ_oe3FxB2biVAvNBJxu02RruaJ2ANYUr_TrUxNSgwpSO8tyytChtIGq15xFHr9PHRDeF6kDx0a78m3cFy5Hgpc3Nk/s1600/FIVEGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRePkBXIXUgJktq_sA_Kl8NeKZbmVOd7uQDaf_W8PiQrqembJ5wQZ_oe3FxB2biVAvNBJxu02RruaJ2ANYUr_TrUxNSgwpSO8tyytChtIGq15xFHr9PHRDeF6kDx0a78m3cFy5Hgpc3Nk/s400/FIVEGO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I have to admit I was a huge Enid Blyton fan as a child. I even bought the entire set of Famous Five for my daughter. She gobbled up all 23 books in four months. We are now watching the TV series. Hopelessly addicted to jolly adventures and lashings of good food.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3qP3ntBDMqSexuGmnaaIEI-Bdhl7cjMJtDVDFB9AaDUKKSJL-4XyYBYF0FJDoQ2viMApvpKhCzZftx2gNo7dYv-bTwLznyOh3AvpB9VYYSQJBz7f4DWXGEVe9pQFSpM9YKnQjXJ2jIE/s1600/Famous-five-803125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="590" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3qP3ntBDMqSexuGmnaaIEI-Bdhl7cjMJtDVDFB9AaDUKKSJL-4XyYBYF0FJDoQ2viMApvpKhCzZftx2gNo7dYv-bTwLznyOh3AvpB9VYYSQJBz7f4DWXGEVe9pQFSpM9YKnQjXJ2jIE/s320/Famous-five-803125.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I also enjoy reading other children's authors' work, especially Cornelia Funke. Many try to emulate her and don't quite hit the mark, in my opinion. Perhaps it's that slightly different flavour due to being written in German and translated to English, I don't know, but her use of language is absolute magic. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubC3X6uvbXXpH7fnkTogPvXUqKI6k7-Ndt1SlNOYn_XBVF9zBGViOSL_lYWhg7qvf0o5W9fKpCOjGjGmTcDPpZmmlkNaAtnuc-WpCWbfwptmOMz1Fg-F6wgckbGCXMN5Jx5icghOwZzQ/s1600/funke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="340" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubC3X6uvbXXpH7fnkTogPvXUqKI6k7-Ndt1SlNOYn_XBVF9zBGViOSL_lYWhg7qvf0o5W9fKpCOjGjGmTcDPpZmmlkNaAtnuc-WpCWbfwptmOMz1Fg-F6wgckbGCXMN5Jx5icghOwZzQ/s320/funke.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In adult literature I enjoy pretty lightweight stuff - Jeffrey Archer and Elizabeth Peters. Read all 19 books in the Amelia Peabody Egyptian mystery series twice over. I also enjoyed a good many of Susannah Gregories Matthew Bartholomew Medieval murder mysteries. I do own weightier tomes, but these help me cleanse my writerly palate, so to speak, so I can get on with my own writing. I hate books where I have to anaylse too much or wade through and remember minute or obscure details. I want to enjoy the banter between characters and have a real sense of who they are, not just what they're doing. Perhaps that's the secret to good writing? Connection with the characters is vital, otherwise why continue? <br />
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Enjoyment! That's what its all about. And if you find yourself drawn to read books more than once its a very good sign they made an impact upon you in some way. If you find yourself reading them again as an adult and they are still fun, that's even better.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-19384323480920622962017-12-21T17:00:00.001+11:002017-12-21T17:00:22.031+11:00Happy Christmas! Families are mad, mad, mad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2uzSAFCTVNy33JhF5jpbdtRHLxI-09oHMgAjt4rPmIA0x13lGPZyyzAaUCXgKbV8zpGepx2R629GiN66SGXnxvc6P8BzxgQ6SAAYwOrlOFdYSpeRKmWhPpFmt3qR1B319aPjiGeutPQ/s1600/funny-christmas-card-picture-ideas-kids-best-christmas-for-you-in-funny-christmas-picture-ideas-2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="736" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2uzSAFCTVNy33JhF5jpbdtRHLxI-09oHMgAjt4rPmIA0x13lGPZyyzAaUCXgKbV8zpGepx2R629GiN66SGXnxvc6P8BzxgQ6SAAYwOrlOFdYSpeRKmWhPpFmt3qR1B319aPjiGeutPQ/s400/funny-christmas-card-picture-ideas-kids-best-christmas-for-you-in-funny-christmas-picture-ideas-2017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Yup, just stop expecting that perfect family Christmas experience. It doesn't exist! Families are made of humans, after all. We all have our own interests at heart, even if it's just wanting some peace and quiet or for everyone to 'just get along.'<br />
<br />
Instead, embrace the chaos! Plan what you can, but on the day just let the dysfunction happen. It's not about being the perfect host or providing the perfect food or the perfect presents. It's about enjoying each other's company. Here's a few silly ideas:<br />
<br />
1. <span style="font-size: large;">The old desert island game</span>. Only this time you have to choose something christmassy. Three things only. To last the whole year. What would you choose?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSAnpP_dStTV9m5MPPq3UXtMLu3JD6KctpLgbzK2BHKCUsGNIF464QNRUNThRaLo4EL78eQCzTJHWO_9z3XvDfYtlkkgPzu3ORL4mR5VJHEPqXGWpdRloKd78jx2CiUh5r7pPKeYeqcA/s1600/video-card-imageforbadcardsgallery-photos-imageforbadcardsgallery-funny-christmas-family-portraits-photos-peace-u-joy-peace-funny-christmas-family-portraits-u-joy-ugly-sweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSAnpP_dStTV9m5MPPq3UXtMLu3JD6KctpLgbzK2BHKCUsGNIF464QNRUNThRaLo4EL78eQCzTJHWO_9z3XvDfYtlkkgPzu3ORL4mR5VJHEPqXGWpdRloKd78jx2CiUh5r7pPKeYeqcA/s400/video-card-imageforbadcardsgallery-photos-imageforbadcardsgallery-funny-christmas-family-portraits-photos-peace-u-joy-peace-funny-christmas-family-portraits-u-joy-ugly-sweater.jpg" width="400" /></a>2. <span style="font-size: large;"> Celebrity Head</span>. Two people are guessers. Write the names of two famous people on separate bits of paper and stick them to the wall behind the players. The rest of you can reply yes or no to their questions as they take it in turns, ie: "Am I a female?" If they guess correct they get to ask an other question. If wrong, the turn goes to the second player. YES or NO only! Whoever guesses the correct person first wins.<br />
<br />
3<span style="font-size: large;">. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Silly Family Portrait</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Come up with ideas for a silly family portrait for next year's Christmas card. The sillier the better! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxwSDWTQsSbUcuazStuc_aCHHnaJmz6_5iwW5fQXwZHTIBb2DsBCkWbIykvTY-mE1DXzQ3hEUH0sPIPCKzWlqGY151Er3YVf5jbzWRgc6HFT9LgyVJL4gvl24JiKVSgkoE0J5NeDt7pA/s1600/santa_and_reindeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxwSDWTQsSbUcuazStuc_aCHHnaJmz6_5iwW5fQXwZHTIBb2DsBCkWbIykvTY-mE1DXzQ3hEUH0sPIPCKzWlqGY151Er3YVf5jbzWRgc6HFT9LgyVJL4gvl24JiKVSgkoE0J5NeDt7pA/s640/santa_and_reindeer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Don't take it too seriously! Have a fun time!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">best wishes,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Dawn</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">PS For last minute shopping, see my full range of books <a href="http://dawnmeredithauthor.blogspot.com.au/p/dawn-merediths-published-books-for.html">HERE Dawn Meredith's books </a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Read my article on <a href="http://helpinganxiouskids.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/christmas-tantrums-how-to-avoid-blow-ups.html">Avoiding Christmas tantrums HERE </a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-20356848691024767712017-09-02T07:56:00.001+10:002017-09-02T07:56:46.726+10:00Visiting Alex Kelly's Social Skills program, Romsey UK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AbTzEJ5m0T1Rc5B_K3_cYqIwbUaGVfMmHoroT7cZgq1IbLipiDAX48WpRxVE__UXaCg2R6L7BHjoTxnT0g3gQkaCOiKyvpHbpTbsOXFFG3nvBuxHmwHNWkPgBSVYcgxUX9NFyIKi3JM/s1600/IMG_2467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AbTzEJ5m0T1Rc5B_K3_cYqIwbUaGVfMmHoroT7cZgq1IbLipiDAX48WpRxVE__UXaCg2R6L7BHjoTxnT0g3gQkaCOiKyvpHbpTbsOXFFG3nvBuxHmwHNWkPgBSVYcgxUX9NFyIKi3JM/s640/IMG_2467.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I was so pleased to visit Alex Kelly and her amazing staff today at their HQ in Romsey, Sussex. As research for my new book on social skills I wanted to touch base with her and see what her team gets up to. Wow, what a fantastic program! They make or publish many of their own resources in helping young people in the community with disabilities and communication difficulties. The place is so orgnaised and had a really relaxed and happy vibe. I met many of the clients and most of the staff. I was so impressed. Alex's dream is a reality.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcugL9K3VRtPjPnRuRseknyyzA-XjJrWdUBOBccmfkhqTfzLLZjMtFxiryKZLifdnbO6OUxH6LRK8SCpV8dkfYTYaQ-N7TwrVGYF68NsNUeszuszwSZJlbjpveB7yiJOqUN3T55gb8kaQ/s1600/IMG_2461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcugL9K3VRtPjPnRuRseknyyzA-XjJrWdUBOBccmfkhqTfzLLZjMtFxiryKZLifdnbO6OUxH6LRK8SCpV8dkfYTYaQ-N7TwrVGYF68NsNUeszuszwSZJlbjpveB7yiJOqUN3T55gb8kaQ/s320/IMG_2461.JPG" width="240" /></a>As a Speech Therapist she has developed her working theory about socialising skills incorporated into general communication and embraced models such as Myers-Briggs personality typing to help her staff understand their strengths. This provides for flexibility in their caseloads and consulting work and keeps the wheels turning smoothly.<br />
<br />
Alex herself is passionate and full of energy as well as being a savvy organiser. As a charity, her company reaches out to local businesses, schools and other groups to train and liaise. They have even taught local cafe staff 20 basic Makaton signs so they can communicate with non-verbal customers, as indicated by a sticker in the shop window. Brilliant! Alex is hoping to return to Australia in the near future to run programs there and I hope to be a small part of that.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCaffI6DzZJVo-aKbHiCQzIqkz4kbaZG8qXA4_rWf6SGmRWq6fVde-4ExvvvOmLT9S2_q5u30DRwwD_DhLRhDszarhhCzfJ5EztlO2HzyOTpNXtD68aH5JpuWyFJ5_j_ZtzeFuaXrmbU/s1600/IMG_2468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCaffI6DzZJVo-aKbHiCQzIqkz4kbaZG8qXA4_rWf6SGmRWq6fVde-4ExvvvOmLT9S2_q5u30DRwwD_DhLRhDszarhhCzfJ5EztlO2HzyOTpNXtD68aH5JpuWyFJ5_j_ZtzeFuaXrmbU/s320/IMG_2468.JPG" width="320" /></a>Thanks for having me, guys! I loved it and appreciate your time. A special thanks to Amy for showing me around.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-49880787503367751922017-08-08T11:25:00.001+10:002017-08-08T11:30:32.946+10:00Famous Five - HANDS OFF! These books shaped generations into good people<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bOlSVMQeJnkLFvpoVKIhSDFn_txJwa3OgmReA5atNaH-Pl-zv3od5OH6_8YvsCOHb-tjaB13BB5X-P0llW9EqzhBekXXpBeXQ1kQRar4QFrI1XXdNXLUyXQ2rAVvrJRXKO-Rc_zh4mg/s1600/famous-five-04-1951.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="126" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bOlSVMQeJnkLFvpoVKIhSDFn_txJwa3OgmReA5atNaH-Pl-zv3od5OH6_8YvsCOHb-tjaB13BB5X-P0llW9EqzhBekXXpBeXQ1kQRar4QFrI1XXdNXLUyXQ2rAVvrJRXKO-Rc_zh4mg/s320/famous-five-04-1951.jpg" width="210" /></a>There
are some things which are sacred to me, and one of them is Enid
Blyton's books, particularly Famous Five series. I wasn't good at sport.
I wasn't interested in girly things. I loved being outdoors but I
dearly loved reading above all else.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Missing the point!</span><br />
Unfortunately there
are people in this world who persist in denigrating Blyton's work,
focussing on the contextual issues, such as her use of the term
'golliwogs' and other racist references along with the sexist attitudes.
But being focussed on the PC issues of books begun in 1942 is
pointless, because Enid Blyton was a woman of her time. <span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">These
characters reflect kids of their time. Doesn't mean they are perfect or
right in every way. The PC brigade can't go back and fix everything
they don't like. I am Anglo-Celtic and this was my culture, for better
or worse. Doesn't mean that Julian, Anne, George and Dick didn't fight
for what they thought was right in their world. And that's what's
important to me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The characters</span><br />
These
books are inhabited by characters whom I found entertaining, inspiring,
and real to my experience as a child growing up in the 1970's. <span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Timmy
- what a dog! I loved him and his relationship with George as her best
friend. OK, so Anne was a bit whiney and annoying sometimes. So was my
sister, so what the hey. In her defence, Anne was often genuinely
afraid, as are lots of kids, but she was also loyal, brave in her own
way when it counted, organised, sensitive to others and so on. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ITTv7BS-YXSDHgnhyphenhyphenk3S2ztgloglwP4pN5oYSWvZvkLydJgrEZ2AyE1wiIixRdrsN4WVvVrjZ9RrQG_C7JmyKGsprjiAH27vtKKvu8nQSR7cwwSqXyc2wJuS2jwjqIAKqnId_ZGAMZQ/s1600/Famous-Five-by-Enid-Blyton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="500" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ITTv7BS-YXSDHgnhyphenhyphenk3S2ztgloglwP4pN5oYSWvZvkLydJgrEZ2AyE1wiIixRdrsN4WVvVrjZ9RrQG_C7JmyKGsprjiAH27vtKKvu8nQSR7cwwSqXyc2wJuS2jwjqIAKqnId_ZGAMZQ/s640/Famous-Five-by-Enid-Blyton.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">When
George blundered in, Anne stood back and observed, picking up on things
George missed. George was a tomboy, like me. She wasn't scared of
anything. I lived through her. Julian was a born leader, but he had his
moments where he could be quite pompous, however he took his job a
eldest seriously. He felt the burden of leadership, the responsibility
of keeping them all safe. And sometimes that makes you less likeable.
Dick was always Robin to Julian's Batman, but that's how it is in
families. Dick had his moments to shine too. We all find our own niche.
And the Famous Five were like siblings to me.</span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwPRuD379mepZOR91-Ol2B5U-okdhYFjwutGfKZK5gJXPGKz4neLEKDbOgAkIm375ZKcxdjaM7vM5_Q3wh1mzhrJolo-O_q6LTYofA0C8EjxUhly4k_-HRKroLOOdHQ3KURyPUcY24OU/s1600/blytons+real+life+characters.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="634" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwPRuD379mepZOR91-Ol2B5U-okdhYFjwutGfKZK5gJXPGKz4neLEKDbOgAkIm375ZKcxdjaM7vM5_Q3wh1mzhrJolo-O_q6LTYofA0C8EjxUhly4k_-HRKroLOOdHQ3KURyPUcY24OU/s320/blytons+real+life+characters.jpg" width="320" /></a><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">The
inspiration for the illustrations of these characters came from the
four children belonging to Blyton's illustrator, Mary Gernat. </span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/12003384/Children-who-inspired-Enid-Blytons-Famous-Five-book-covers-are-revealed.html" target="_blank">read here</a></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="font-size: large;"><span class="UFICommentBody">So, what did I learn from Famous Five?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Famous
Five taught me a lot - mostly not to be afraid of hurling myself into
new experiences, having faith in myself, and for a child who moved
around a lot, (11 schools in 12 years, 3 different countries) this was a
life changing lesson that has stood in good stead throughout my adult life too: </span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Life
is tough sometimes - get in there and cope with it. </span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">When life is
good - stop and notice, appreciate and love those around you. </span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">When adults do things which you know are wrong, find a way to tell them or someone else. </span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">When wrongs are done to others, get in there and fight for them. </span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">When mysteries lie waiting, seek them out bravely. </span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Whether your family is perfect or not, love and appreciate them. </span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Get outside as much as possible</span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Enjoy good, comforting food that is home made</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3SPS3Ibd5CbDEj32wEUv4n9H8u5oBXUK8eAKgR3mX5Pc7J0iTjSmIRhO8IbK87i0BjuRtJPzRhQoT2QTQ_1nkuZHwJDWgoiEpJ3v7oSsDL2neRr52WOqN3op6N1dofrgFo63MnddvXg/s1600/banner-famous-five.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="171" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3SPS3Ibd5CbDEj32wEUv4n9H8u5oBXUK8eAKgR3mX5Pc7J0iTjSmIRhO8IbK87i0BjuRtJPzRhQoT2QTQ_1nkuZHwJDWgoiEpJ3v7oSsDL2neRr52WOqN3op6N1dofrgFo63MnddvXg/s400/banner-famous-five.jpg" width="342" /></a></div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span style="font-size: large;">Through the lens of now </span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">If
you're going to look at these stories through the lens of 2017 of
course you will be somewhat disappointed and find things you disagree
with. But Blyton never apologised for her strong moral lessons in these
books. Nor should she. The alternative in 2017 is that your kids get
their values from TV, movies of dubious moral message, sexually explicit
and violent video games, and don't get me started on the perils of
social media.... None of that is contained. It's too open slather and
kids can end up wandering down some very dark paths if you're not there
to supervise. Click bait traps are deliberately set for them on the net.
Is this what you want for your kids?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span style="font-size: large;">The
war </span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">There is no doubt to me that most kids nowdays have little concept
of what living during war time is actually like. In WWII Britain was
under constant threat of invasion, besieged, with little food getting through, rations of everything and constant bombing. As a nation they had to
pull together, make-do, use ingenuity, keep their young children safe, and above all, sacrifice their young men and women to the cause. This is why the film
adaptations of Famous Five have been so popular and redone so many
times. Its a snapshot into that time and how it affected people, and the following generations.</span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaItbmU8_5QpvV5tYjBFUSLtNOTe_rv3UY-5ZgzczUCVW4zjjUd681NokF4zVzgK97DvAdM9r_2-k-KnUC7ijf8YjkGay5Sb7Kix3yVys3xRJ9D6IXat_uSkPWVGtiTqPPA8qa_-dXHzI/s1600/famous+five+series.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="770" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaItbmU8_5QpvV5tYjBFUSLtNOTe_rv3UY-5ZgzczUCVW4zjjUd681NokF4zVzgK97DvAdM9r_2-k-KnUC7ijf8YjkGay5Sb7Kix3yVys3xRJ9D6IXat_uSkPWVGtiTqPPA8qa_-dXHzI/s640/famous+five+series.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span style="font-size: large;">Morality tales or just fun? </span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">So
HANDS OFF Famous Five! Let them be a moral beacon or just an
entertaining series of childhood adventures. They are simple stories
kids love, even today. Adults reading them may struggle to grasp the
appeal, but that's because it's a kids' world. That was Blyton's genius -
to understand what kids wanted to read about.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">And what are the values therein?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Be loyal. Be brave. Be assertive. Be kind. And above all - enjoy lashings of good food!</span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-79035863179626722742017-07-14T10:44:00.003+10:002017-07-14T10:46:05.760+10:00AMPERSAND PRIZE 2017 submissions now open for emerging writers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdHi9Id902lTo8jJ4y1UZYwsZL1XnX0lRDvI27QrEBa7H0R3iWAfh35tJcVaYNhultOYtbBY4d2S4_vo1G1-Q_von-n35GewIHXjgmLE3tKMaO0Emeif7HHVUcXnYox1aUI3rbJOxDzs/s1600/ampersand.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="767" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdHi9Id902lTo8jJ4y1UZYwsZL1XnX0lRDvI27QrEBa7H0R3iWAfh35tJcVaYNhultOYtbBY4d2S4_vo1G1-Q_von-n35GewIHXjgmLE3tKMaO0Emeif7HHVUcXnYox1aUI3rbJOxDzs/s640/ampersand.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The
yearly opportunity for Hardie Grant Egmont is here again! For emerging
writers this is a fantastic way to launch your career. For first time
novellists, this is your chance to make your mark in a new genre.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyWHb_eR6-mMyTdbUIW20UwG4VsYhcubk86tFW1y-E11sHcvxnIKOcWnbfEKrX0T_PlfsAlo_ISHChFfRBEgNzqSjk-a-eLkwMPdNRvW_snt809y_ODkMZMDiWgkSBKePTokvDnlVD4s/s1600/003-FUNNY-CAT-MEME.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="500" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyWHb_eR6-mMyTdbUIW20UwG4VsYhcubk86tFW1y-E11sHcvxnIKOcWnbfEKrX0T_PlfsAlo_ISHChFfRBEgNzqSjk-a-eLkwMPdNRvW_snt809y_ODkMZMDiWgkSBKePTokvDnlVD4s/s400/003-FUNNY-CAT-MEME.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you have never submitted before, it can seem daunting. But if you have a finished manuscript, why not give it a go? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.hardiegrant.com/au/egmont/ampersand-prize/entry-process">click here for entry page on website</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are my top tips for submitting:</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">entries close July 28th 2017. DO NOT send after this date.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">make sure your MS is polished, editing thoroughly (several times)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">make sure it is presented in the format required for font, size of
font, layout (margin sizes) and line spacing. If you don't present an MS
EXACTLY how they want, it goes straight in the bin.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">send via email or post as specified on the website</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">supply synopsis at exact length they require</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">DO NOT send the entire MS unless they specifically ask for it. Most
often its just first 3 chapters they are interested in. (So make sure
they are your best, most ingenious work, with a big juicy hook). Again,
check the website.</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: large;">Be brave! Good luck! </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-25911742069980190542017-04-10T11:08:00.001+10:002017-04-10T11:08:10.015+10:00Writing a novel - the important bits you have to have!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyKyXVlIksE3_ykYeUhiSSZ1UbEjuQq1kCm9yCXQP2pMvqbPMK_LqfS5ZnaKZySkVpOwD47myTzEJgTXc8MITbyvybGwaZeq9TwwOpYGsmiVG6mwx1npnxYikyXiANBxqZD77FkClLXE/s1600/Michael-Hauge-Story-Mastery-Coaching-slide2-charcoal1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyKyXVlIksE3_ykYeUhiSSZ1UbEjuQq1kCm9yCXQP2pMvqbPMK_LqfS5ZnaKZySkVpOwD47myTzEJgTXc8MITbyvybGwaZeq9TwwOpYGsmiVG6mwx1npnxYikyXiANBxqZD77FkClLXE/s320/Michael-Hauge-Story-Mastery-Coaching-slide2-charcoal1.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
<br />
So, years ago I attended a workshop in which Michael Hauge's resources were shared. Michael is a screenplay writer, novellist and teacher who shares amazing resources on his website. <a href="http://www.storymastery.com/" target="_blank">http://www.storymastery.com/</a><br />
<br />
Once I found Michael I downloaded everything I could find, printed and bound it all in a book. It's now a sort of novel writing bible I use to make sure my structure actually works, thus getting me the contract.<br />
<br />
One of the most useful and quick references he provides is this - 'Key Story Questions'<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Michael Hauge’s key story
questions for novels</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Who is the hero or protagonist?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Why will we immediately empathise with the hero? In other words, why
will we identify with her when she is introduced?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Where is the hero at the beginning of the story, before anything new
occurs to get the plot going? What is the everyday life she’s been living and
how does the story show that?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What is the hero’s longing (deep desire he’s just paying lip service
to) or emotional need (which the hero won’t admit or is unaware of – usually
this is to connect with others in some way).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What opportunities presented to the hero at the first key turning
point?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What new situation is he placed in as a result of that opportunity? Is
it by choice, or is the hero forced into it? What will the hero have to figure
out, or adjust to, in this new situation?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What specific, visible goal or finish line does the hero want to reach
by the end of the novel – in other words what’s the outer motivation?</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What’s the outer conflict – what makes that goal impossible to achieve?</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What is the hero’s greatest emotional fear?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What wound – what painful event or situation in his or her past
(usually in adolescence) – led to that fear?</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If the novel contains a love story, why is the romance character the
hero’s destiny? Why did they choose each other, out of all the other people
they’ve been involved with?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What is the hero’s identity – what protective persona keeps the hero
from facing and overcoming her emotional fear?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What is the hero’s essence or truth? Who would she be if her identity
were stripped away? In other words, who does she have the potential to become,
if she’s courageous enough?</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What is the hero’s arc or character growth? How does she gradually make
the transition from her identity to her essence? What gives her the courage to
do that?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What is the story’s universal theme – how does the arc for the hero
provide the reader with a prescription for living a more fulfilled life?</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">16.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What deeper issues – political or social – does the novel explore?</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">17.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What other successful antecedents for the film – recent, successful
novels similar in market demographic, genre, style, tone and/or story, that you
can point to and say, “ because those made money, this one will make money.”</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">18.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What is the passion for this project – what do you love about it?</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">19.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What are the biggest weaknesses in the story right now?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">20.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What makes this a novel – why will thousands of people want to spend
their time and money to read it?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Story
mastery.com 2010 Michael Haug</span>e</div>
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Below is the jpg. Right click and print.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-52425222451073850082017-02-19T21:11:00.000+11:002017-09-02T08:01:27.209+10:00When politicians get to do something worth smiling about - Trish Doyle launches Little Free Libraries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhy3UyozmyWo5q4c1SJVwgzbQ68ZuGMIvxiHKqeqYx549bcznn9Qd7Pa3qdf9CxD8BN535jECG05N1Adwz4Kj6rXZZ7nprwWgf1YeMKIW2pu-OvwxUYyxJb6ebyQOMowxyG0cxZQ_6jU/s1600/72319b173c59e0f547204117783fa5f0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhy3UyozmyWo5q4c1SJVwgzbQ68ZuGMIvxiHKqeqYx549bcznn9Qd7Pa3qdf9CxD8BN535jECG05N1Adwz4Kj6rXZZ7nprwWgf1YeMKIW2pu-OvwxUYyxJb6ebyQOMowxyG0cxZQ_6jU/s400/72319b173c59e0f547204117783fa5f0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As part of the CBCA (Childrens Book Council of Australia) our local Blue Mountains branch has had the enormous fun of putting together five Little Free Libraries loaning centres, located in shops around the mountains. These are intended for kids (and adults) to borrow books free of charge and return them to the location (or a new book of their choice). Ours are IKEA units but there are amazingly creative ones elsewhere, like this one on the left! So far we've had a fantastic response from the community.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzlhFnBXmeEwqIzMnseep9-WiiP8nc0Drx5FRRE1IN0KySlMkmxkdtSBBd8TaElxkQyB51nUAkbtni-WtnqecK-bD4p5O_A96URSrZW92aZ7R9rtHvDlLMhsCIBHFfDm4LZ0xmiOqnMo/s1600/trish+doyle+little+free+libraries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzlhFnBXmeEwqIzMnseep9-WiiP8nc0Drx5FRRE1IN0KySlMkmxkdtSBBd8TaElxkQyB51nUAkbtni-WtnqecK-bD4p5O_A96URSrZW92aZ7R9rtHvDlLMhsCIBHFfDm4LZ0xmiOqnMo/s640/trish+doyle+little+free+libraries.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
When launching this initiative, we were so fortunate to have our local ALP member Trish Doyle to do the honours. Herself a former teacher, Trish is very enthusiastic about literacy and was very pleased to launch our program. Normally she has her photo taken for the local paper and its usually to do with issues that the community is NOT happy about, therefore, she cannot smile and be her lovely self. But when launching LFF Trish got to smile! And had a great time at The Gingerbread House, Katoomba.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnpYfds2rpF6q-_TNCV87L9dggwxIiaSNxAyXAu3zhutbkjk1-pH5rK0SEjC1KwRfgMpS61Kgte4j7-Y2EgYCCW56iKu6mykPHk0FnzGfy7lqfUwT0NSa7lXDmu-H8MWEMe5UbSjOQ0E/s1600/usa+lff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnpYfds2rpF6q-_TNCV87L9dggwxIiaSNxAyXAu3zhutbkjk1-pH5rK0SEjC1KwRfgMpS61Kgte4j7-Y2EgYCCW56iKu6mykPHk0FnzGfy7lqfUwT0NSa7lXDmu-H8MWEMe5UbSjOQ0E/s1600/usa+lff.jpg" /></a>What a beautiful way to build community and improve literacy for everyone! <br />
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Little Free Libraries are popping up all over the world in neighbourhoods, in front of businesses and even private homes. You can find out more here: <a href="https://littlefreelibrary.org/">https://littlefreelibrary.org/</a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-47102227300626317052017-02-10T17:45:00.000+11:002017-02-10T17:45:39.912+11:00Chickens, quolls and a wild Water Dragon that let's you feed it banana!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We drove to the stock feeds place the other day to buy yet another chicken, after third one was taken by a QUOLL. Cute, but vicious little things. And very clever. Yes, a wild quoll has been decimating the chicken population in our street for some months now, slowly making its way down to our place, the last stop chicken shop. After many tears and a burial, we decided to re-enforce the chicken pen and get a new birdy.<br />
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We ended up choosing a Rhode Island Red cross. But the BEST PART of all was that I met this little guy! (Well, not so little, about the size of a cat) and he let me stroke him and feed him banana.<br />
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Apparently he comes into the stock feeds shed most days looking for bugs and any food on offer. My daughter happened to be eating a banana at the time, so i whipped it out of her hand, broke off half and gave my new friend some small pieces, which he took very gently. I was allowed to stroke his side. So gorgeous! Although I'd love a pet iguana or something I am happy to see one so well fed and fully grown surviving on his own. (he lives in the bush at the back of the premises).<br />
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Nature - its wonderful.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-74534063306437800242017-02-03T15:58:00.000+11:002017-02-03T16:16:13.784+11:00UNPUBLISHED? Here's your chance! KYD Awards for early career writers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just saw this in the KYD (Kill Your Darlings) newsletter. Unfortunately, I'm not eligible, but you might be!<br />
<br />
<h2>
<b>The <i>KYD</i> Unpublished Manuscript Award</b></h2>
This award will assist an early-career author in the development of
their unpublished manuscript. The award is open to writers of adult
fiction and adult non-fiction.<br />
<br />
<b>The winner </b><b>will receive a $5000 cash prize and a mentorship with <i>KYD</i>’s <a href="https://www.killyourdarlingsjournal.com/contributor/rebecca-starford/">Rebecca Starford</a> (non-fiction) or <a href="https://www.killyourdarlingsjournal.com/contributor/hannah-kent/">Hannah Kent</a> (fiction).</b><br />
<br />
Submissions open 9am AEDT Wednesday 1 February 2017.<br />
Submissions close 5pm AEDT Friday 31 March 2017.<br />
The shortlisted entrants will be announced on 1 June 2017.<br />
The winner of the <i>KYD </i>Unpublished Manuscript Award will be announced on 3 July 2017.<br />
<br />
Please read the full<b> <a href="https://www.killyourdarlings.com.au/content/uploads/2017/02/Submission-Guidelines-and-Terms-and-Conditions_KYD-Unpublished-Manuscript-Award-2.pdf" rel=""><i>KYD</i> Unpublished Manuscript Award Submission Guidelines and Terms & Conditions here</a></b>.<br />
<br />
The judges for the <i>KYD </i>Unpublished Manuscript Award will be announced in 2017.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-81944410734803248302016-11-03T11:29:00.001+11:002016-11-03T14:38:35.544+11:00ZENA SHAPTER'S new book INTO TORDON out now!!! <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]-->My gorgeous friend and colleague Zena Shapter has a new book out, one that's a LOT different to most - it had NINE authors. She is my guest today. :-)
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So, tell me about “Into Tordon”?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Into
Tordon” follows two online gamers on an adventure that’s out of this world! It’s
a middle grade novel for 8-14 year olds, set in a slightly futuristic Australia,
and there are </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">dangerous creatures, exotic cultures, scientific
impossibilities, riddles, advanced technology and challenges. Our two main
characters, Beth and Zane, must face them all to survive!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgascpH5xGRhoeopvv4X4vFxqvLScR1HHkGC3fAULiHIdE4IbcaNngSAKYlNRsLZZ9dIQEU8EAi2uEXoJJYuIhwTJP4ui7cdk-IW7gX5gXKhC20H9K8osonOpNgONgvx7v9-onpTWWXK8g/s1600/Zena+Shapter+Into+Tordon+Book+Cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgascpH5xGRhoeopvv4X4vFxqvLScR1HHkGC3fAULiHIdE4IbcaNngSAKYlNRsLZZ9dIQEU8EAi2uEXoJJYuIhwTJP4ui7cdk-IW7gX5gXKhC20H9K8osonOpNgONgvx7v9-onpTWWXK8g/s400/Zena+Shapter+Into+Tordon+Book+Cover.png" width="260" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Sounds like a wild ride! Nine of you
wrote “Into Tordon” together. That sounds like a wild ride too. How did nine
authors write a book together?</span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">With
patience and understanding! When writing collaboratively with so many people,
you have to leave your ego at the door and contribute as much as you can with
enthusiasm and a good spirit, knowing full well that your actual contribution
is likely to go unnoticed once the book is released. There’s an element of
trust too. One of you has to take the lead, to keep everyone on track, drive
the project and make decisions. Thankfully, when I suggested the book to the
other authors, they were all members of my writers’ group, the Northern Beaches
Writers’ Group, and had written under my leadership before, so knew and trusted
in my abilities.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Is that because you’re the founder and
leader of the Northern Beaches</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Writer’s Group?</b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Yes,
but also because they know and like my writing. Not only did I write a chunk of
“Into Tordon”, but as ‘Editor-in-Chief’ I also rewrote </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">other parts,
then rewrote the whole book to give it a single ‘voice’ (the words, not the
story itself), and polished it again once we had a publisher on board. I’m a
freelance editor and mentor too, so they trusted in my experience when I picked
up on things like inconsistencies, plot development, character arcs and worldbuilding
issues. I’m so glad they did! “Into Tordon” is awesome! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZhUef1f4Ml6EbwSWxZ1A15uBVqPisDdCrRwhkKAdn2CnBKjy0YTz1gX7Qelow56I4Jnwo-MevJdWLnkED7b72-7nmibpnbFzJMUgMgQLVO2Gn6L1v_Ke8x9EUFoRdkuzzetrusa0Bkg/s1600/Into+Tordon+Zena+Shapter+Colouring+In.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZhUef1f4Ml6EbwSWxZ1A15uBVqPisDdCrRwhkKAdn2CnBKjy0YTz1gX7Qelow56I4Jnwo-MevJdWLnkED7b72-7nmibpnbFzJMUgMgQLVO2Gn6L1v_Ke8x9EUFoRdkuzzetrusa0Bkg/s640/Into+Tordon+Zena+Shapter+Colouring+In.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">colouring-in page for the book</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">How did you get a consistent voice /
tone from nine separate authors?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It was
tricky! We don’t all write in the same style. Some of the other authors don’t
even write speculative fiction! (*gasp*) But I found the right tone with time,
respect and experience. We had a solid consultation process too, where everyone
got to critique everyone else in a safe and nurturing environment, until every
single word was perfect. It was a real team effort. I also had a good
second-in-command, Zoya Nojin, who always had my editorial back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What was your favourite part of the
process?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The
writing of course! Though I’ve also enjoyed the promotional side of things:
designing the website, posters, bookmarks, social media, this interview of
course, and even a colouring-in sheet for readers. I’ll include one readers can
download from here if they like. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What’s your favourite scene in “Into
Tordon”?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I love discovering new
worlds, so my favourite scene is when our two main characters, Beth and Zane,
first enter the ‘strange world’ mentioned in the blurb. By the end of that
chapter, there’s only one option left to them, which Beth phrases perfectly:
“Run!”</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS14xy1b_yDwEpXh_lrXXZeSCqFF3PM8-UB2MFGdMSQ6DSr1lCTcqbggJYpaSuz-V63xZa2IGyOHfsQ-CD5nS4yDDEViI2hjzVxK4UOcQtbw8pjndoC14cCt2WPD7UiswgY1GnhnTMRvc/s1600/Tordon+Launch+Zena+Shapter+Speaking+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS14xy1b_yDwEpXh_lrXXZeSCqFF3PM8-UB2MFGdMSQ6DSr1lCTcqbggJYpaSuz-V63xZa2IGyOHfsQ-CD5nS4yDDEViI2hjzVxK4UOcQtbw8pjndoC14cCt2WPD7UiswgY1GnhnTMRvc/s640/Tordon+Launch+Zena+Shapter+Speaking+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OW1IpLaybacP3-1sbInjgtpAWZ6iN9tK3rT2z442g1tPuHcVW8TKmMIrKuws3xt5AAHOZtuKAV9JygegFUgOGMv39mqhjxhPW2dzziYnnlR55Tr7-QCMAb3aJrLv5nAbPeaUUiuvYOw/s1600/Tordon+Launch+Zena+Shapter+Speaking+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OW1IpLaybacP3-1sbInjgtpAWZ6iN9tK3rT2z442g1tPuHcVW8TKmMIrKuws3xt5AAHOZtuKAV9JygegFUgOGMv39mqhjxhPW2dzziYnnlR55Tr7-QCMAb3aJrLv5nAbPeaUUiuvYOw/s640/Tordon+Launch+Zena+Shapter+Speaking+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zena's book launched by the fabulous Susanne Gervay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Will you be doing author visits?</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Yes,
all of us will – to schools and libraries of course, but also to writers’
groups, festivals and centres who want to know about collaborative writing. Anyone
interested can contact us through the website at </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://zfkingbolt.com/"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">zfkingbolt.com</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What’s next for Zena Shapter as a solo
author?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I have my own debut novel
coming out next year! It’s called “Towards White” and is set in a fictional
Iceland. Scientists have discovered where the electrical energy in our brains
goes when we die, which brings about certain cultural developments. Becky’s
brother visits Iceland to study those developments, but goes missing… I can’t
wait to see it on the shelves! Details will go on </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://zenashapter.com/"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">zenashapter.com</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> or my publishers</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "ms mincho" , "serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">website, </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://ifwgaustralia.com/2016/08/30/new-signing-towards-white-by-zena-shapter/"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">IFWG</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">, as production progresses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In the meantime, when and where is “Into Tordon”
available?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">All good bookshops on the
highstreet and online. Here’s the blurb, I hope readers enjoy it! Thank you for
having me, Dawn!</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">Into Tordon</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.8pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Only
champions dare to enter!</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Thirteen-year-old
Beth has been waiting for weeks to play in the championship of her favourite
online game, Tordon. Now tribes of beastmen roar through her speakers. Game on!
She plays to win, until her gaming nemesis Zane challenges her to a real-life
risk that has them sucked into a strange world. Here they must push their
skills to the limit just to survive!</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Faced
with riddles, a multitude of dangerous creatures, exotic cultures and
scientific impossibilities, Beth and Zane are forced to take on challenge after
challenge if they’re ever to return home.</span></i>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘a
pacy, exciting read’ Books+Publishing </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Zena Shapter </span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://zenashapter.com/"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Zena Shapter</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> writes from a castle in a flying city hidden
by a thundercloud, creating what-if worlds and adventures. She’s the winner of
twelve national writing competitions, including a Ditmar Award and the
Australian Horror Writers’ Association Award for Short Fiction. Her work has
appeared in numerous online and print venues including the Hugo-nominated ‘Sci
Phi Journal’, ‘Midnight Echo’, ‘Award-Winning Australian Writing’ (twice), and
‘Antipodean SF’. Reviewer for Tangent Online Lillian Csernica has referred to
her as a writer who “deserves your attention”. She’s the founder and leader of
the Northern Beaches Writers’ Group, a book creator and mentor, creative
writing tutor, movie buff, traveller, wine lover and all round story nerd. Her
novel “Towards White” will be published by the IFWG in 2017.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-10111114245092502042016-10-10T12:00:00.003+11:002021-09-19T00:43:54.201+10:00MARKETING YOURSELF AS A WRITER - Tips to make it easy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been in this game for a while now and found some things are really helpful in raising my profile (not easy when you basically want to stay in your cave and write most of the time). Some very generous people have shared their ideas with me, so now I pass on what I know to you. And you don't have to pay a fee to know my secrets.<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Your platform</span> - what is it? <i>How</i> you market
yourself will open doors. What do you want to be known for? Have a
media release ready (and regularly polished) to send out.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Contact
other bloggers</span> in your field of expertise/interest and offer to send a
copy of your book for them to review, in exchange for reviewing theirs.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Promotional materials</span>,
for business cards, posters of your book covers, bookmarks, banners,
freebees. Being an author is a business and you need the promotional tools handy. I use Vistaprint or make my own using MS publisher and Powerpoint.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">A
flyer </span>with what you offer, ie: author talks, writing workshops, school
visits. these can be emailed and printed out to give when you are out
and about at festivals, libraries, schools, etc.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Amazon author page</span>. If
your books are available on Amazon, it is imperative that you have a
presence there. Its easy to do, just follow the prompts. You'll need to
write a blurb about yourself and your books. Hunt for them on Amazon and
then add to your author page. </li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Slide shows</span> of your books - how they were made, what influenced you, where you write etc. These are fabulous for school visits or conventions. People want to know WHY you wrote a book, not just about the content.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Swap book reviews. </span>Invite people to review your book on Amazon. 50 reviews gets attention from Amazon and help from their marketing juggernaut</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blog
or website</span>. My blog (blogger) functions as my website. Its free and I
have total control of content. The downside is I have to do it all
myself. but with labels on your blog posts you can attract attention to
your pages and books. Also, provide handy links for purchasing. If things
are one click away you'll get more sales. Every time I blog about my
books I get a spike in page views and then sales. Also, I have 10 pages of information on my blog, which also attracts people.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Networking</span>! Be part of groups with similar interests. These don't have to relate to your books, just to your interests. all sorts of conversations begin randomly, centred around mutual interests.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Social Networking. </span>Facebook - regular profile and separate pages for your books for people to 'like'. I don't do twitter or instagram. Haven't the time quite frankly! But it might work very well for you. Linked-In - this is an awesome way to network too and stay up to date with whats happening. Share your tips there and follow interesting people.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Events. </span>Conferences,
book days, conventions etc. pester (nicely) until they let you in, then
you can set up your own table with books and flyers etc.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blog
tours</span>. I admit I don't do a lot of this. Wish I had the time! But they are brilliant and mutually beneficial for each person who swaps 'exposure' on
another person's blog.</li>
</ol>
There we go, lots of ideas for you to munch on. Good luck and keep writing!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-55361587661920528712016-10-09T11:51:00.002+11:002016-10-09T11:51:56.517+11:00ROBOTICS FOR KIDS - easy to make projects using kitchen utensils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkEiI9LjAvdZknEyFyayn2n3SOuQFj2GaNfG-WArWmKge97-cde5wRxZCAFXnOSKaZr8lyifTZ8ZG_ChUr6yB2khWFcszSV4eB_v4lAknTGEsGTvaXvG_UO55hiU4opc077jsOJbkCIE/s1600/robotics+instructables+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkEiI9LjAvdZknEyFyayn2n3SOuQFj2GaNfG-WArWmKge97-cde5wRxZCAFXnOSKaZr8lyifTZ8ZG_ChUr6yB2khWFcszSV4eB_v4lAknTGEsGTvaXvG_UO55hiU4opc077jsOJbkCIE/s640/robotics+instructables+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
As some of you may know, I LOVE robots. In fact, I am currently writing a book called 'Ten Ridiculous Robots." I subscribe to the website INSTRUCTABLES which sends me newsletters about the latest things you can make using household tools and products. From hen houses to rainwater tanks to, you guessed it... robots!<br />
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Here is the latest link: <a href="http://www.instructables.com/class/Robots-Class/">make your own robots from kitchen utensils </a><br />
<h3 class="instructor-name">
<img class="instructor-thumb" src="https://cdn.instructables.com/F10/NZDE/IOFZA6RS/F10NZDEIOFZA6RS.TINY.jpg" />
About the Teacher
</h3>
Randy Sarafan is an
artist, designer, inventor, and founder of the Instructables Design
Studio. Over the last 10 years he has created <a href="http://www.instructables.com/member/randofo/?show=INSTRUCTABLES" target="_blank">hundreds of step-by-step tutorials</a> on diverse subjects ranging from pancakes to self-driving robotic queen-sized beds. He has authored two books, <a href="http://www.workman.com/products/9780761152439/" target="_blank">62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer</a> and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1107111656" target="_blank">Simple Bots</a>.<br />
His
work has been showcased by the NY Times, Popular Mechanics, The Today
Show, The Tonight Show, NPR, the BBC, Core77, Boing Boing, and the
National Examiner (to name a few). He currently splits his time between
Brooklyn, NY and the internet.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-35650921848160881252016-09-19T17:29:00.002+10:002016-09-20T10:52:47.678+10:00Childrens Book Council of Australia Blue Mountains Pirate Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had a ball on Saturday at my local library. As one of the local authors and illustrators invited, I ran two short workshops on writing. There were lots of other activities to do as well, such as drawing workshops, talk like a pirate competition, treasure hunt, puppet making and book buying/borrowing.<br />
Everywhere you looked, kids were excited about reading, drawing and expressing their thoughts in writing.<br />
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Ahoy, there, ya scurvy lads!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4769872905604154990.post-81206746533481346742016-09-19T12:43:00.002+10:002022-01-22T00:36:49.351+11:00SCBWI Conference Sydney 2016 Winner Andrea Pinkney Writer Award - tell your story the way you want!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9QQHC5He8ndMO7l3h7WG1PmnKOkefeVUHFOowGAo57ZaeQG0WzIVHAdqz-c6kLBFKK8yxcqOYKH-2nhIV7h1griKA-6GvupoR3w78YYWIHqNMWg2dUpj3q2gHJ2UH9GYt5o3Oqm1tZ4/s1600/SCBWI+2016+Dawn+Meredith+and+Claire+Stuckey.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9QQHC5He8ndMO7l3h7WG1PmnKOkefeVUHFOowGAo57ZaeQG0WzIVHAdqz-c6kLBFKK8yxcqOYKH-2nhIV7h1griKA-6GvupoR3w78YYWIHqNMWg2dUpj3q2gHJ2UH9GYt5o3Oqm1tZ4/s320/SCBWI+2016+Dawn+Meredith+and+Claire+Stuckey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with judge Clare Stuckey. photo by Denzo Guiney</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">A lovely shock</span> <br />
I can hardly believe it! I am so amazed and gratified to announce that at the recent Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators conference in Sydney I won the SCBWI Andrea Pinkney Writer award! Apparently I beat some of Australia's best children's authors to win - wow! The award is a personal critique of my work-in-progress, a YA paranormal crime novel, with Vice President of Scholastic USA Andrea Pinkney next month.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What do publishers actually want?</span> <br />
At the presentation dinner, I was so shocked when my name was called. I am a published author of children's chapter books, but after 20 years and 7 novels completed I am yet to have a novel published. This award means to me that my work can stand on its own two feet. This was the novel which I had decided to write as I wanted to write, to introduce the character and her dilemma in my natural
'voice', which has taken me 20 years to figure out. The irony is, that after I submitted the synopsis and first page to the competition I lost all confidence and began 'polishing' the first chapter - endlessly, angrily tapping away, deleting, crying, shouting at my PC etc. A writer friend had agreed with me that the new opening was dull. I feel completely lost. Why did I do this to myself, you ask? Because the initial feedback I'd had from publishers when I started submitting it, was that the opening was too much 'telling, not showing,' <br />
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Publishers are always saying they want a fresh voice, original ideas, good writing but also sticking to the formula. This is SO confusing. It's like a lost, dead language only the privileged few understand. The rest of us feel like we are on the outside, blinking in the sunlight.<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Vindicated</span> <br />
So, it was incredibly gratifying to stand at the podium with the judge and accept an award for the original version of chapter one. Ha! I completely forgot to thank everyone who has helped me reach this point. All I could think was, 'Bloody hell, why did I waste all that energy, emotion and stress trying to change it, when it was good enough already?' And afterwards, a couple of people came up to me and said how they appreciated me sharing the frustrations and crisis I'd been through. It's a lonely business, writing, and we have to have an incredibly thick skin to take the constant rejections, year after year. It felt to me that when I accepted this award for my work, the weight of every single rejection I've ever had as a writer flooded over me like a tidal wave. The relief was overwhelming.<div><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Keep going!</span> <br />
So, my advice to you is keep going! Keep believing in yourself. Keep developing as a writer. Never give up your dream.<br />
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0