The Next Big Thing...

Okay, so I have been tagged.
There's been a blog phenomenon doing the rounds called Next Big Thing, where an author writes about their current or next book.
I'm lucky enough to have been tagged by the lovely, and incredibly talent, Sue Whiting.

I have a bit of a problem with the Next Big Thing, and it's embarrassing to mention, but I will. I'm really nervous about sharing details about my work in progress. Call it superstition, anxiety or just craziness, but I'm not comfortable to do that until I've worked with my publisher.
I know - crazy!

But, for the sake of keeping the blog rolling, I'll suck it up and mix up my answers up - a bit of the old and a bit of the new.

Here goes...

New Work – Behind the Curtain.

1.      What is the working title of your next book?

The working title is Behind the Curtain. I’m notorious having trouble with titles, so I expect this title will have quite a few changes yet.

2.      Where did the idea come from for the book?

My stories usually have three or four ‘sparks’ which collide to make up a story idea.

A few of the sparks for this one were that fantastic song by Florence and the Machine, Hospital Beds, my own experiences, the teenagers that are a part of my life, and lots of what ifs.

3.      What genre does your book fall under?

Behind the Curtain is a young adult novel, aimed at the younger members of that audience. 

4.     How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
 This one has been tough as I taught part time last year, which ate into my writing time in a spectacular way. Normally a first draft would take me six months, but this one taken about twelve months. It’s been a very choppy, stop and start process. I’m very relieved to have reached the end of the first draft and rewrite. There’s so much more to go though.

Right – Current Work – Forget Me Not. (Middle Fiction)

5. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

 

Liam Hemsworth from the Hunger Games would be perfect as the charming and charismatic Hugh.

 

Ashleigh Cummings, who played Debbie in Puberty Blues, would be great as Eve. She’s such a terrific actress – strong and yet fragile.

 

While I’m on the Puberty Blues theme, Sean Keenan who played Gary, would be great as Eve’s brother, Thomas – he has that spark.

6.  What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Eve Gilmore doesn’t share her brother Thomas’s excitement about travelling on the maiden voyage of RMS Titanic, more does she share her brother’s enthusiasm for the brash Hugh Worthington.

7. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Forget Me Not is published by Black Dog books, an imprint of Walker Books.

   

8.      What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Hmmm, that’s a toughie. Historical fiction novels. 

9.      Who or what inspired you to write this book?

A combination of things – a visit to the Titanic exhibition at the Melbourne Museum and a conversation with my publisher Andrew Kelly. It wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for Andrew’s interest and enthusiasm. I am so very lucky to have worked with amazing, passionate and talented publishers and editors – Andrew Kelly, Karen Tayleur, Maryann Ballantyne, Melissa Keil, Helen Chamberlain, Ngaire Ravenswood.

10.    What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

The ocean, romance, adventure and disaster – what more could you want?

There you have it - the Next Big Thing.

Now it falls upon me to tag more authors. It's a busy, crazy time of the year, so I am rapt and grateful to very talented writers and dear friends Corinne Fenton and Bernadette Kelly for agreeing to be my 'tagees' You can read about their Next Big Thing on January 9 (or 10!)

 

What a week!

It's been an emotional and busy week.
Impending launches, blog tours, but most of all, the departure from the school where I teach of a much-loved, inspirational, fun, child-focused principal. Angela is moving on to a new school leaving the staff, students and community here a much richer place for her being here. She has certainly had an enormous impact on me. Today has been filled with much laughter, tears and thanks. How lucky we have all been to have worked, laughed and taught with Angela.

And of course, the blog tour continues. What a day with Sheryl! Her questions were just what people wanted to know.
Friday I'll be visiting Tara Calaby to talk about research and the real characters in Forget Me Not. Look forward to seeing you there.

Sailing North to Visit Sheryl Gwyther...

Next stop on the Forget Me Not Blog Tour is Sheryl Gwyther's blog where I'll be chatting about one of my favourite things - working with young people. Sheryl is a fellow author and friend who is passionate about writing and encouraging kids to read. It's always fantastic to catch up with her.

Hope to see you at Sheryl's blog, too!

The Blog Tour Begins...

Wednesday is not only my gorgeous niece's fourth birthday (Happy birthday Anna B!) but it's the first day of the Forget Me Not Blog Tour.

The tour kicks off with a visit to Michael's Little Elfman where he quizzes me on what I would take on a journey across the world. I love catching up with Michael. He makes me laugh and think! See you there.

Forget Me Not Blog Tour

The dates are set and the bloggers are ready.
The Forget Me Not Blog Tour kicks off on March 28 and runs until after the Forget Me Not Launch at the Titanic Restaurant in Williamstown on April 1. Thanks so much to the lovely people who are hosting the tour - I can't wait to visit.

A lovely piece of trivia about the tour - it kicks off on my gorgeous niece's birthday (Forget Me Not is dedicated to her along with my other niece and three nephews) and finishes on my dear friend's birthday. Nicely bookended!

See you on the tour - we'll be chatting about everything from grand pianos to autograph books.

Staying Focused.

To quote an old dear I chatted to in the supermarket line yesterday, 'funny old summer!'
One morning last week was so chilly, I considered turning on the heater. Today, I'm in my office frantically finishing off odds and ends before the heat forces me to retreat to the air conditioned family room with my iPad.
The problem being?
Focus!
Yesterday in the 39 degree heat, instead of finishing off the very things I am working on today, I escaped to the family with my iPad with full intentions of working through my 'to do' list. After I watched Australian Stories on iView (For research of course, and to warm up to the idea of working!). That turned out to be a two parter, and it was so compelling, I just had to watch part two. By the end of that, which was a harrowing story, I needed a laugh before I could concentrate on work, so I watched an episode of IT Crowd. Now I was ready.
But, before I started, I needed to warm up my brain, and what better way to do it than with a quick game of  Chickionary, a word game my friend very introduced me to, knowing full well I have a problem with game addiction. (Only word and card games!)
By the time I'd finished that - okay, so I played more than one game, it was time to think about cooking dinner.
 So guess what I am doing today? Sweating it out in my office, trying to breathe oxygen from the cotton-wool-like air while I work through that list. 
The worst part is, I spent Friday  emphasising (that's teacher talk for 'raving on at my class') the importance of staying focused. Ahem.
On the upside, I have now ticked off everything on my list of things to do and even a few of tomorrow's jobs.
 So now, I can retire to the family room to continue my work...after I watch that episode of Ab Fab!

Before I go, proof I can focus, the Forget Me Not launch is organised!
Join us, on this 100 year anniversary of theTitanic's sinking, at The Titanic Restaurant, Williamstown on April 1 at 1.30pm.
Forget Me Not will be launched by Red Dog Books' and former Black Dog Books' publisher, Andrew Kelly.
RSVP - March 16 - suzielawson@bigpond.com
 Books availabe for sale through Book And Paper, Williamstown
http://bookandpaper.com.au/contact.php
Hope to see you there...if I can tear myself away from my iPad! ;)

School, writing and win Pan's Whisper

Today is my first day at the computer for a couple of weeks. This year I've decided to cut back the amount of travel I was doing and return to the classroom as a teacher, part time. I've been very lucky to pick up a two day a week teaching job with the most fantastic kids (and fellow teacher!) The last few weeks we've been preparing the classroom and our lessons, so my writing has taken a back seat, as has blogging, Facebooking and even tweeting.
Now school is back, I can start creating a new routine. Monday, Tuesday and Friday will be my writing days, plus the occasional workshop. Wednesday and Thursday I'll be at school learning and teaching with 26 great kids. How lucky am I?

My advance copy of Forget Me Not arrived this week which while exciting has kicked me into action! Today I've divided the day between working on launch ideas and writing and fiddling in my work in progress's notebook.Oh, and catching up on my blog!

Oh, and in case you hadn't heard, you still have a chance to win a copy of Pan's Whisper. Visit
Need to Read This! but be quick!

Pan's Whisper and Forget Me Not.

I was doing my grocery shopping when a lady I know stopped to congratulate me on my new book. At first I was a little stunned. How did she know I was doing the final edits on my next book?
Then it dawned on me she meant Pan's Whisper, which has just come out and is about to be launched. I quickly regrouped and thanked her for her support, and explained why I was slow to react.
The writing process is a long one and quite often when a book is released, authors are up to their necks in their next work. That's why we can appear a little vague when you are kind enough to comment.

While I'm doing bits and pieces for the launch of Pan's Whisper, I'm working also with my editor on my next book, which is due out in April, 2012. This book is called Forget Me Not - more about it later.
In the meantime, it's time to launch the one I finished work on about five months ago.
If you are free December, 9, I'd love to see you at our launch for Pan's Whisper, and I promise not to be vague!

 Join us for on

Friday, December 9, 6pm

at

The Little Bookroom, 

759 Nicholson Street, Carlton North

when Karen Tayleur launches 

Sue Lawson's latest YA novel

Pan's Whisper.