Deck the Halls...

It's been a month since I last posted. Gah, where's the time gone? I thought the worst had passed, but it turns out unpacking a house takes a lot more time and energy than I figured. With Christmas so close and the tail end of boxes sill lurking in the halls, I'm extending my blogging hiatus until the end of 2012.

I'll be back in January 2013 - hopefully with an established house and settled family. Until then I hope you all have a safe and festive Christmas and the dawn of a New Year that promises to be a healthy and happy one.

Motivational Monday

Writing for me is just like building a chair, making an artifact. The idea is that you build, create a story and cobble it together. If it stands up, that's good. If it stands up, it's comfortable, it's a good story, a good chair.

- Scott Smith -

#LikeCanberra - Questacon

As you know we've just moved to Canberra. While we wait for our house to settle so we can move in, we're escaping our shoebox apartment at every opportunity to explore our new city. Coincidentally, Canberra has launched a "Like Canberra" campaign to highlight the experiences Canberra has to offer. I guess it probably has something to do with the fact 2013 is the 100th Birthday of the city. Either way, it gave me the idea to record our experiences as we discover Canberra...

One of the places Heckle and Jeckle (okay, The Hub and I too) were eager to get to was Questacon (science and technology centre). We ended up buying the family year pass, and as we've already been back again I think it will be money well spent. There is heaps to do here for kids and adults.

You follow a series of themed rooms each offering very different experiences. The biggest problem we found was time, and we've decided each time we go back we'll pick one room to focus on. Some of the coolest experiences was watching the lightening strike (the kids loved joining the countdown to the strike), getting your shadow photo taken, playing a robot at air hockey and the 6m free fall which the whole family did. Really, I did! Of course, it took me a good 5 minutes to stop shaking afterwards, lol.

Jeckle dropping 6m in the free fall (sorry about the sideways photo, blogger insists on turning them around for some reason).

Motivational Monday

Perhaps it would be better not to be a writer, but if you must, then write. If all feels hopeless, if that famous 'inspiration' will not come, write. If you are a genius, you'll make your own rules, but if not - and the odds are against it - go to your desk no matter what your mood, face the icy challenge of the paper - write.    

~ J. B. Priestly~

Back in Action

After a long hiatus I'm back to blogging :)

Our move from Brisbane to Canberra is nearly done. We're in limbo at the moment until we can move into our house (mid-November), and during this time internet access is limited (so apologies if it takes a while to respond to comments), but I finally have some time to start focussing on my writing.

It is such a relief! My stories have been churning in my head and I haven't had a second to even think about writing a word. Hopefully now they will pour out.

Once we're settled into the house (photo below) hopefully I'll be able to find some regular writing time again, and be able catch up on all the emails and blog posts I'm behind in.

Our new house in Canberra come mid-November

Still M.I.A.

Today I am jetting my way back to Canberra to continue house hunting. I really hope I find something today as our house has sold and settles on October 15th - this means I will be both homeless and internetless come the 15th.

I'd hoped to be back to my regular blogging schedule by now, but unfortunately it looks like it will be a few more weeks before I can take a breathe.

I'll be back as soon as I can...

Small Hiatus

All of a sudden we're having to pack up our bags and relocate... 1,300km (about 808 miles). We're moving from Brisbane to Canberra, going from warm "sub-tropics" to the ridiculously freezing temperatures of the "cool temperate" (where it is known to snow on occasion!).

And I don't do cold very well :(

So at the moment The Hub and I are madly getting the house ready to sell, trying to pack, and pinpointing a place to move into at the other end.

It's all a bit too crazy, to be honest.

I won't be able to blog for a wee bit, but I hope to be back by the end of the month. Wish us luck!

Motivational Monday

 

Substitute "damn" every time you're inclined to write "very;" your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.  ~Mark Twain~

Why You Should Use Bookmarks

A book cries every time it's page corner is turned down.

I'm certain of it. Every book that isn't read in one sitting should have a bookmark (and only a bookmark) mark the spot. Turning the corner of the page down should never happen.

I always use bookmarks - I have a huge collection. But failing the easy access to a bookmark I use a scrap of paper, a thread or anything else I can find lying around.

What do you think?

Motivational Monday

 

The best time for planning a book is while you're doing the dishes.
Agatha Christie

Motivational Monday

Source: Heinrich Boll Stiftung

It is impossible to discourage the real writers - they don't give a damn what you say, they're going to write.  

~Sinclair Lewis~

RWAus Conference

WooHoo! I'm off to RWA's annual conference today. I'm so excited.

There is so much to love about conference: catching up with friends you only get to see once a year, learning more about the craft of writing and the industry from some amazing people and getting to let your hair down (and leave the responsibilities of home - at home!).

Plus the opportunities at conference are priceless - pitching to agents and editors (which I am doing, keep your fingers crossed for me) and making professional contacts.

This year I'm also a finalist in one of RWA's contests, the Valerie Parv Award. So awards night is going to be a whole lot more exciting.

Above all, conference leaves me inspired. It's like an annual injection of enthusiasm for my writing. It reinvigorates me, reminds me what it is I love about writing, gives me hope and determination that I will be published.

I can't wait!

Motivational Monday

William Zinsser
Hard writing makes easy reading. Easy writing makes hard reading.

A Little Break...

I had planned on blogging this week (and next) but I didn't take into account the Olympics. You see, I have a confession: I'm an Olympics tragic.

I promise to return to my usual blogging as soon as it finishes *grin*.

I'm Editing...

Motivational Monday

The only way to learn to write is to write.

- Peggy Teeters -

Simple, But Effective

For the most part I hate advertisments, but sometimes I run across ads I really enjoy. This series of three ads is too good not to share. They are by an advertising agency in Brussels and are funny (and clever).

I guess my love/hate relationship with ads is why I love the Gruen Transfer et al... for anyone else who does watch for Gruen Sweat starting 25th July :)

Motivational Monday

There is no path to happiness; happiness is the path.

Make the most of every day.

Source: LightwaveJourney

My Celebration - Idea #2

I've been trying to think of something to do to celebrate when my first book is published - and for each subsequent book after that. One of my fabulous CPs suggested I have an adventure.

I think that sounds like a whole lot of fun!

I don't think they'd have to be big adventures. I don't even think they have to be adventures in the true sense of the word. Just doing something I'd never normally do, but would like to.

I've been trying to think of some things I'd like to do, but wouldn't normally:

• day spa
• helicopter ride
• nothing - for a whole day
• a girls weekend
• deep sea fishing

Do you have any ideas for my adventures? What would you do if you could pick something?

Motivational Monday

If a book is not alive in the writer's mind, it is as dead as year-old horse-shit.  

~ Stephen King ~