The Writer's Blog Tour - What I'm Working On...

The incredibly talented author and my friend, CaroleWilkinson, has tagged me for  "The Writer's Blog Tour".  The topic is what am I writing, so here goes.

I lost my glasses. Lucky I had a second pair!

What am I working on? 

Working has been a strong word for it. I've been 'working' on my next YA novel for about 9 months, in between selling our home, moving from the town to the city and sorting out a few major family issues. I'm way behind where I wanted to be, but am enjoying the writing, which is the main thing. Normally a zero draft takes about six months, but this one has been harder simply as I've been pressed for time.

So what can I tell you about my new work? Not much?

I have a thing about talking too much about my work in progress too early as it seems premature and makes me feel very uncomfortable. I think what I'm trying to say is that I'm superstitious and not game to talk about what I'm writing too early. Guess it was like when I was pregnant. We waited 12 weeks before announcing our news - well I'm as caution with my current work. At the moment it's a jumble of words and ideas that, like a jigsaw puzzle, need to be solved. The characters are new and fresh as is the topic and I'm enjoying the process, though the research is ongoing. Once my publisher has read an early draft, I then am more able to talk about it.

How does my work differ from others in my genre?

This one is historical YA. That is all!

Why do I write what I do?

I love to explore tough topics and how my young adult characters cope in those circumstances. I love and am genuinely interested in young people and how they see the world, so that's why I write for children and young adults.

How does my writing process work?

For each book the process differs, but the bones stay the same. I have a notebook for each novel, and keep in there all notes, planning, editing decisions etc etc. The main reason for this isn't particularly fascinating. Basically, I tend to lose stuff, so keeping it in one book keeps it together.

For this book I also have a research journal filled with details about the era - the music, the brands, the celebrities, the main issues of the day. This is kind of organised into topics just to make fact finding easier.

When I write I aim for at least 1,000 words a day, but at the minute, 100 words is a bonus. Some days I'm knocking over 3,000, other days, just 500. I'll take what comes.

I know the work needs so much tidying up and rejigging (that's a technical term!) and sometimes that overwhelms me, especially as that deadline just sailed. However, I just tell that nagging voice in my head to shut up, and repeat the following mantra constantly.

Just write, fix it up when you're done.

So there you have it. I hope to share more details soon. It's a topic I'm horrified by and passionate about.

Starting to place the pieces of the puzzle

In the meantime, read about what Carole, Karen Tayleur and Corinne Fenton are writing.

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!)

 

Babies, meerkats and launches...

Friday I attended the Hey Baby launch at the Royal Children's Hospital. Such a lovely way to celebrate another gorgeous book by Corinne Fenton.

Prime Minister's Literary Award

Yesterday I spent the day at the National Library in Canberra where the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard announced the winners of the Prime Minister's Literary Award.

National Library Bookshop

I am thrilled and honoured that Pan's Whisper was shortlisted, along with Sue Saliba's Alaska, Barry Jonsberg's Being Here, Bill Condon's A Straight Line To My Heart and Robert Newton's When We Were Two, in the Young Adult Fiction section of the awards.

I went along to the award ceremony looking forward to the experience, but sure the winner wasn't Pan. I read all four of the other shortlisted novels, and loved them all, however, when I finished Robert's book, I turned to my husband and said, "I've just read the winner."
When We Were Two is simply beautiful and a much deserved winner of the Prime Minister's Award, Young Adult Fiction. Congrats Robert.

Again, a huge congratulations to all the winners and shortlistees. It was lovely to meet so many and share the day with such talented people.

PM Julia Gillard, Minister for the Arts, Simon Crean and PMLA winners.

 And finally, my sincerest thanks to Prime Minister, Julia Gillard and Minister for the Arts, Simon Crean, for their support of Australian writing and writers.

Tragically excited and honoured!

Shortlistees accepting their prize

Lunch with Di Bates and Bill Condon

And the winner is...

My apologies for being tardy in announcing the winner of the Love Notes From Vinegar House competition. On the up-side, I will be seeing Karen this weekend, so your book is now a personally signed book!

Pick one? Now? Look at me! I'm a mess...

So, after a few misadventures involving a brush and a bath, Milly has chosen a winner.

Brushed and ready to choose...

Congratulations to Kaye Baillie, who wins a 'signed' copy of Karen Tayleur's Love Notes from Vinegar House.
Enjoy Kaye - I know you will!

Last chance to win...

This is it people, your last chance to win a copy of Love Notes from Vinegar House, the lastest young adult novel from Karen Tayleur.
I couldn't put it down!
So how do you win? Just leave me a comment and Milly the black dog will sniff out a winner after 10pm tonight.
Good luck!
...back to helping my daughter clean her room...groan!

Love Notes from Vinegar House Blog Tour

Today I’m thrilled to welcome my friend and talented author, Karen Tayleur to my blog.And to make up for my slack blogging of late, it's going to be a long visit!

Karen’s new young adult novel, Love Notes From Vinegar House, published by Black Dog Books, an imprint of Walker Books Australia, is a compelling, touching, funny and chilling story. You’ll love it!

Karen, welcome! I have so many weird and wonderful questions for you. First up, what was your favourite thing to do with your best friend in primary school?

There was a group of us in grade 3 who used to play The Amazing Three at lunchtime.

The Amazing Three was a Manga cartoon of aliens who had come to Earth and assumed the form of Earth animals.My friend Patricia was always the horse. She had a ponytail so this worked well.

It was years later, looking back at school photos, that I realised Patricia had Polynesian heritage.

We had a real mix of kids at our school but nationality wasn't an issue.

It wasn't until we grew older and learned to put labels on people that it became an issue.

Complete this sentence. My first day at secondary school was ...

The same as my first day in Grade 6. We were the first year level in a new school in the western suburbs. We didn't even have a uniform yet.The school building wasn't even finished. We didn't have many facilities. I remember the music teacher dictating the words to American Pie.

He strung this out for a couple of lessons. Of course, I knew all the words, so that really annoyed him.

I didn't stay there long - by second term my family moved to the eastern suburbs. On my first day at that school they were having a Slave for the Day auction

which meant the whole school gathered near the canteen and the Form 6 kids auctioned off teachers to raise funds. I was terrified. I wasn't sure what I had got myself into. I didn't have the right uniform yet and I had to wear a scratchy itchy woollen dress with a nice tartan pattern. Mum wanted to make sure I was warm enough. I didn't attract the right kind of attention until the following week when I wore my favourite brown corduroy pinafore with yellow skinny top and boots.

Fashionista!

Surf beach or bay side beaches?

Surf beach, especially during winter.

In Love Notes From Vinegar House, you write about the beach and ocean so evocatively, yet with such a light hand. How important has the ocean/beach been in your life?

Holidays with the family meant beach time. We didn't have a lot of money but Dad and Mum always made sure we had a family holiday every year. The splash of sea-spray and the crunch of sand under my feet always bring back fond memories.

Do you have a favourite beach memory?

The day we took our cat down to the beach one Easter. He'd been toilet trained with kitty litter and he spent a lot of time looking for the corner of the kitty litter tray in the sand.

Did you send notes in class? Were you ever caught?

Definitely - to both questions. We started the idea of multi-tasking. You can learn and pass notes at the same time...

Another complete this sentence; 'When I was Freya's age, I had a crush on ...

a boy who didn't love me back until it was too late because I'd already moved on. I guess life's all about the timing.

We did kiss but it was a huge disappointment.

'Freya has done some stupid things.' What is the silliest thing you have ever done?

Gee, there have been so many...

What is the daggiest song secreted away in your iPod? (Remember I have heard most of the stuff in there!)

Gee, there are so many...

(Indeed there were! Lucky I was there with my Sherbet, Hoodoo Gurus and Midnight Oil!)

Sherbet daggy??? Never!

Which leads me to a very important question for someone our age - Skyhooks or Sherbet?

Sherbet. I know, not very cool, but there it is.

When I was 15 I took the country train to Swan Hill to stay with some relatives. I had a whole beauty case just dedicated to nail polish and copped a lot of flack for that from the family I stayed with. Sherbet came to the Town Hall and I got to see them, which was amazing. Years later I would have to say that Horses by Daryl Braithwaite is one of my favourite songs. It was in my Vinegar House playlist that I played when I was writing.

While we’re down this track - the Bus Stop or Nutbush City Limits?

Nutbush, of course.

I remember dancing the Nutbush in the school gym for some special event.

I was wearing Staggers Jeans and a Miller's shirt with pearlised snap press-studs.

It was a green and cream shirt with a gold thread. I couldn't have a blue one because my best friend

had already snaffled the blue one and you didn't want to look the same as everyone else!

I also had red leather platform shoes with a cork heel which were incredibly comfortable.

The boys wore tight jeans and lumber jackets. You knew when people were 'going' with each other because the girl would always wear some guy's lumber jacket - even in the height of summer.

We thought we were cool. The teachers didn't tell us how silly we looked.

I still think I'm cool every time I dance the Nutbush, but my kids like to tell me I'm not.

What scares you?

Change rooms with mirrors on all sides

My sister when she used to hide under my bed before bed time and she'd grab my ankles as I got into bed.

My husband's cooking when he goes random and uses anything from the fridge.

Anyone with a camera.

Blog tours.

Do you believe in ghosts?

Like Freya, I'm sitting on the fence.

I don't believe... but I don't disbelieve either.

What is your favourite use for vinegar?

Balsamic Vinegar + strawberries + brown sugar and cream

hmmmm

Karen, thanks so much for dropping by, as always, it’s a pleasure to catch up. Tomorrow the Love Notes from Vinegar House Blog Tour continues with Celine at http://forget8me8not.blogspot.com.au/

Visit my blog again tomorrow for a chance to win a copy of Love Notes from Vinegar House. You’ll LOVE it!

Anzac Day And Finding Darcy

Wednesday is Anzac Day, a day Australians commemorate not only the anniversary of  Australian and New Zealand forces landing on the Turkish Gallipoli Peninsula, but also the sacrifices made by so many Australians in many conflicts across the world.

As usual, I'll spend the day at the MCG with a dear friend, watching Collingwood play Essendon, enjoying the Anzac commemorations and hoping for a Pies win. 

North of Australia, families of civilians and members of "Lark Force" - the 2/22nd Battalion, will gather in Rabaul to mark 70 years since Japanese troops attacked, over-ran and captured the pacific islands of New Britain and New Ireland, and well as launching an assault on New Guinea.

At the Shrine of Rememberance, Melbourne.

The fall of Rabaul and the subsequent loss of over 1054 lives on the Japanese prisoner of war ship, the Montevideo Maru, is  at the heart of my young adult novel Finding Darcy.

Finding Darcy is loosely based on my own grandfather's experiences. He was a member of 2/22nd Battalion, C company and is listed as having been aboard the Montevideo Maru when it sank.

As much as I wanted to be in Rabaul for Anzac Day, 2012, it just wasn't possible. I am, however, attending the dedication of the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Memorial at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on July 1 and am very much looking forward to it.

You can find out more by reading Finding Darcy, of course, or by checking out the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru website where you can learn more about Rabaul, the Montevideo Maru and the stories of those who fought, including my grandfather, Pte W A McLennan.

My grandfather, holding my mum, with my grandmother, Trawool, 1941

Easter...and back to reality.

We spent Easter with dear friends, catching up, laughing, eating, laughing, drinking and laughing. At one stage we oldies (I can't say adult anymore as three of our collective four children are now over 18) escaped the Misfits viewing to explore a community garden. It was a permaculture garden filled with sensational garden art.
We returned inspired and promptly sat down to plan...and eat, and laugh, and sip a red.

Now it's back to reality and the essay I thought was due on April 30 which is in fact due April 16. Sigh! 

Here's a few photos of the garden.

Standing on the outside looking in...

Mermaid gates...

I so love this owl!

Creative gardening

From the front...

Bell peppers..

Eggplant...my favourite.

Art from wheelbarrows.

Final Day

Today is the final day of the Forget Me Not Blog tour and to wrap up an amazing two weeks, I'm visiting Michelle at Novels on The Run to chat about the writing process. Michelle has also reviewed Forget Me Not. Thanks Michelle for the gorgeous review!

It's been a blast visiting so many fantastic blogs and talking about such a range of topics within the one I love most - writing!

Huge thanks to the Jenny at Walker Books for organising everything and to the generous bloggers who hosted the tour:
The very funny and gorgeous Michael at Little Elf Man's Random Thoughts
The passionate and energetic, Sheryl Gwyther's
Author and reviewer, Tara Calaby
The delightful Celine at Forget Me Not
Author of fabulous Fury and Preloved, Shirly Marr
The crew and reviews at Booksellers NZ
And of course, Michelle, who I owe a carton of tissues, at Novels on the Run

What a week - the Forget Me Not launch (photos below), Pan's Whisper a CBCA Older Readers' Notable book, a fantastic blog tour, my dear friend's birthday today and school holidays!

Now back to reality and finishing that assignment and working on my next book.

All set - Titanic Theatre Restaurant

Corinne Fenton a creative soul!

Posing as it starts

Authors - Bernadette Kelly and Carole Wilkinson

Authors - Karen Tayleur and Claire Saxby

Publishers and editors - Maryann Ballantyne and Andrew Kelly

Signing.

All set!

Did you know that RMS Titanic didn't have an official launch celebration? That's right, no smashing of champagne bottles on her bow.
And we know what happened after that!

That's why I'm thrilled former Black Dog Books publisher Andrew Kelly  will launch Forget Me Not at The Titanic Theatre Restaurant tomorrow, at 1.30.  If you are in Williamstown tomorrow, I'd love you to join us.

 David and his crew have been so supportive and enthusiastic, for which I am very grateful as has Sue at Book And Paper in Williamstown. There will be cake (thanks to my dear friend Corinne Fenton) and champagne.
Hope to see you there.

Otherwise will see you Monday as the Forget Me Not blogtour continues at Forget Me Not!

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.

Happy Launch Day!

With my daughter turning 18 this week (very exciting times!) I've been preoccupied with sourcing gifts, finalising celebrations and all things organisational. I bustled home today, my brain bulging with things to do, and stopped at the mail box. Inside was a 'Happy Publication Day!' card from the Walker Crew, the back signed by the many people who helped make this book happen. That's right - it's March and Forget Me Not hits the bookstores today.

So much effort by so many people goes into the publication of a book, so publication day sure is something to be celebrated. I stood and read the card, overcome by immense gratitude, excitement and wonder.

After a few moments reflection, I returned to my to do list - and added 'Check on arrangements for Forget Me Not launch on April 1'.