Spent the afternoon in Brisbane at a writing seminar, ‘A Conversation with Joanna Penn.’ Joanna is a successful self published author, who was very open and honest in how she went from having a job that she was unhappy in, to being a happy creative writer. She has one of the Top 10 blogs for self publishing advice and has written fiction and non fiction with titles such as ‘How to Make a Living with your Writing.’
I very informative and inspiring afternoon, I came away feeling motivated and confident to continue my own writing journey.☺👍📚🎡
From her vantage point on the balcony of the restaurant she watched as the surfers chased the foamy surf. The midday sun beat down fiercely, endless white sands stretching out towards clear blue sea and skies. They looked like seals, determined to catch that elusive big wave. It was their life long mission, their reason for existing.
‘Is this seat taken?’ a voice spoke as a woman in a brightly patterned dress smiled down at her. Chelsea nodded; yes, taking in a whiff of gardenias from her perfume. She placed her bag on the empty chair and sighed with annoyance. Where was he? His tardiness was starting to annoy her.
She looked around the restaurant. It was starting to fill as the lunchtime rush rapidly approached. It was such a popular spot, built on a rocky outcrop on the shoreline, right next to Elephant Rock. Tourists and locals alike flocked to munch on succulent prawns washed down with light beer and a fabulous view.
Today was no exception.
Sipping her stilled water, her thoughts turned to her absent companion: Luke. They had known each other since high school, losing touch after graduation. Then she had bumped into him at a party, an informal school reunion. They’d barely spoken to each other over the Bunsen burners and dusty literature books, but ten years later things were different. They both loved the beach, fishing and boating on the water, late night classic movies and discovering new restaurants dotted along the coast.
It had been an exciting twelve months.
That’s why the last few weeks had been a bit of a mystery. Luke had started to look detached whilst on their dates, as if he wanted to be somewhere else. He barely listened to her and was constantly late, that was when he bothered to show up at all. There were always feeble excuses; car wouldn’t start, or the traffic was fierce on the highway. Just the other night he told her that his boss had wanted him to fetch supplies in the city, but she sensed that it was not the whole truth.
What was going on?
Someone burst into laughter at the table behind her. She turned her head slightly, glancing at a young family eating lunch with an older couple. Chelsea felt a pull at her heart strings, remembering her own idyllic childhood on the farm in New South Wales. She had chosen to live here, hadn’t she? It was not just because Luke had taken a position as manager of the construction firm? She loved her job in the kindergarten, and her surroundings were breathtaking. A seed of insecurity formed in her mind, a cloud hanging over her, spoiling the perfection of the afternoon. Everyone seemed to be relaxed and animated whilst she felt dark and broody, and alone.
She glanced at her watch. Luke was now a full half an hour late. Maybe this was her cue…did he want to finish with her?
Just then a voice shouted up from the beach. A figure stood by the sandy shore, and she recognised Luke’s muscular physique. He seemed to be knee deep in the water, the waves splashing over him as he waved his arms around frantically and pointed upwards.
The girl on the next table cried out, looking out at the blue horizon.
‘Look up at the plane in the sky. That’s so romantic!’
Chelsea tried to focus on what Luke was trying to say. The waves crashed onto the rocks behind him, making his words distorted. He was smiling, waving, pointing at the sky.
She grinned with delight, clapping her hands over her mouth as she read the banner. Luke ran up the restaurant steps towards her, as the families looked on. The aircraft droned past, trailing the banner behind it, flapping in the sea breezes.
Chelsea – I love you. Will you marry me? – Luke XXX
According to The Huffington Post, (taken from The National Book Review, Oct, 2016) ebook sales are declining, while the printed book sales are steady.
In response to this, here’s 5 valid reasons why we should keep encouraging printed books and keeping this industry alive amongst so much technology.📚
1. Pages! Comforting, soft to touch, smelling lovely and new (or gorgeously old). To compare, ebooks are like reading an ATM machine.
2. You get to keep them! Printed books can add/enhance any collection, and look so cool on a book shelf (especially with an awesome book cover).
3. You can share them. How much bettet to make new friends than through exchanging books? They bring communities together, and can keep friendships thriving. Also, how much more social is a Book Club?
4. Printed books are a physical reminder of good times. How awesome is it to find a favorite book from your childhood amd delve back into those memories – just like a well liked song.
5. Lastly, and from a writer’s point of view, print book publishers are fairer to writers than the ebook version of their work. Publishers give less % royalties to ebooks which makes it that much harder to earn a living
This is my book cover for my new Murder Mystery. Set in the town of south Wales, a murder has occurred, and amateur sleuth is just the lady to solve it!
When a body is found on the beachfront at Aberavon, amateur sleuth Stella Windermere is intrigued. The police are confused as to the identity of the mysterious man. All they have to go on is an ID tag next to the body. When a well known member of the community is bludgeoned to death at a party, the mystery deepens. Quickly embroiled in the case,Stella finds that she has to use all her wits to capture the murderer, along with her new assistant, Joe.
I am so honored to have a guest spot on Blackwood’s Magazine. Thank you to C.M. Blackwood ! 🙂
Good evening, readers and writers. Welcome to the second installment of Blackwood’s Magazine’s Indie Author Spotlight for October! Today’s special guest is Suzanne Bowditch. Let’s have a chat with her! Everyone has a story about why they love to write. What’s yours? I have loved to write since a teenager. I entered […]
Today is my wedding anniversary. My hubby and I took our vows in 1989, so that would be 27 years go today. Along the way we have acquired one cat (now deceased), one dog (very much alive) and two children, a boy and a girl that my mother calls my ‘pigeon pair.
I have much to be grateful for; chocolate, books, sunshine, laughter, family.
So I scrolled through my old posts, and stumbled across a ’12 Things I am Grateful For’ Post, which I think is very fitting for today.
My family. We moved to the other side of the world exactly 10 years ago last weekend; me, my hubby and my two children. The move has made us stronger as a family unit and I’m forever grateful to have them.
My dog. My little terrier Billy is a rascal, but he is also my writing companion and my support.
My computer. Has enabled me to find my creativity.
Writing. I love to write. I am never happier than when I am in front of my computer, my dog on the sofa next to me, creating characters, places and settings.
My love of books. I have read since I was young, and feel privileged every time I find a new author or a gem of a book.I’m currently reading a Tracy Chevalier book, and loving it.
Baking. I love to bake with my daughter. We set out most weekends to look through recipes and spend that precious family time together.
The internet. I would be lost without my friend Google, as he is used so much in research. What was life like before the internet? I shudder to think.
My car. Allows me to travel around the beautiful Gold Coast, and search for inspiration.
Dining out. I love to discover new restaurants. As a family we eat out quite a bit; food helps us to connect and bond.
The area I live in. Also, the world and all the gorgeous places in it. We should all be grateful to live on this glorious planet.
My parents. For giving me life and good advice.
Waking up each morning in a warm bed, content and looking forward to a new day.
June 11, 1963. We’ve all seen the pictures: Governor of Alabama George Wallace standing at the door of a building at the University of Alabama in an attempt to block two black students from attending the school. He was not successful. The pictures of the young people standing up for their rights are powerful!
Photographs can tell powerful stories! Can you tell a powerful story with your pictures this week? Try taking even photos that tell a story.
Alternative: Post a picture representing the number 11. It can be eleven items, eleven people (think soccer team), or something showing the number 11. Or post a gallery of 11 photos that have a shared theme.
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