Melbourne in Winter - I Must Be Crazy!!

I don't do cold.

It's that simple. I spend my entire winter trying to get warm. Be that as it may I am going to Melbourne in winter. I must be crazy!! I'm not worried about being indoors (in fact, indoors in Melbourne is probably warmer than indoors in Brisbane as our houses are designed to stay cool in hot, humid summers - and also have no internal heating). It's the outdoor bits I'm worried about. Mind you, I can probably keep them to a mimimum. Even so...

I have stood looking at my wardrobe and am certain I don't have the right sort of clothes. I've never been to Melbourne so have no idea what others wear. Anyone got any suggestions on what I should pack?

Motivational Monday

You may be able to take a break from writing, but you won't be able to take a break from being a writer...

- Stephen Leigh -

My Virgin RWAus Conference

I attended my first RWAus conference in Brisbane in 2009. I'd only been a member of RWA for a year and was both nervous and excited.

There are so many fabulous memories of that weekend (I don't think you ever forget your first *grin*) but one experience in particular stands out for me. I'd entered my first RWA contests in the lead up to the conference, and while not a finalist, was eagerly anticipating the announcements of those who were.

That night opened my eyes. There was a writer who not only placed - but placed with multiple manuscripts in multiple contests. Kylie Griffin managed 3rd and 4th in First Kiss, 2nd, 3rd, 4th in the Emerald and 1st and 3rd in the Valerie Parv award. With only 1 manuscript behind me, and little experience, I was amazed and determined.

The next day Kylie walked past me between workshop sessions. I gathered up all my courage, tried to hide my awe and said congratulations. As everyone says before you go to your first conference, don't worry, everyone is friendly. Absolutely true for Kylie. She stopped, smiled and said thanks. After that I have no recollection of a word of our conversation, lol.

Of course since then Kylie has continued to move onwards and upwards in the world of writing. Last year she came to conference with a new necklace - her prize for taking out a Golden Heart at RWAm's conference. This year she will be receiving her first sale ribbon (the cover of her first book with Berkley is pictured). Kylie still leaves me amazed and determined, but at least now I'm not terrified about saying congratulations.

Nearly two years on and I am no longer a newbie. I can't wait for the next conference in a few weeks time - I know what to expect and can't wait to catch up with everyone, including Kylie.

Motivational Monday

It's better to write about things you feel than about things you know about.

- L. P. Hartley -

Writing in My Sleep

Motivational Monday

To Be Read...

Recently I mentioned how big my TBR pile was. I thought I should take a photo of how it fills a bookcase!! Since the photo I've also filled the space on the bottom shelf.

The top two shelves are new romance books (top: category, second: single title), the third shelf mystery and Jane Austen's complete works and the bottom shelf a combination of romance single title and category (this is the shelf of books on loan).

I love having so many books on hand to read - but hate that I rarely get time to indulge. It also makes it difficult choosing the next one *grin*. Not sure what I'm going to do with all the books I'm bound to come home with from RWAus conference. I guess I'm just going to have to find more time to read.

Motivational Monday

In science there is a dictum: don't add an experiment to an experiment. Don't make things unnecessarily complicated. In writing fiction, the more fantastic the tale, the plainer the prose should be. Don't ask your readers to admire your words when you want them to believe your story.

- Ben Bova -