tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281771997992671122024-03-12T19:19:43.638-07:00aussiewritersANNOUNCING THE INAUGURAL CALEB AWARD FOR AUSTRALIAN INSPIRATIONAL WRITING. Submissions for the CALEB prize close in June. Go to www.omegawriters.com for the details.Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-25757223592512308892011-09-08T17:35:00.000-07:002011-09-08T17:41:39.263-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtR77vVZ3_XZBJH4p7HxTBTt1D_swJr0MfWPnw7SyrZkCa6pqcJ6kHIn36VvQ816Zu4Cs-p5Nxv6cR23gcHmbw-orEJ-RdYxfGpzQKAUlBMct022pyCyksHpLahrmxNY7LC8t9MfVZLVsP/s1600/Done-3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 129px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtR77vVZ3_XZBJH4p7HxTBTt1D_swJr0MfWPnw7SyrZkCa6pqcJ6kHIn36VvQ816Zu4Cs-p5Nxv6cR23gcHmbw-orEJ-RdYxfGpzQKAUlBMct022pyCyksHpLahrmxNY7LC8t9MfVZLVsP/s320/Done-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650153432500120578" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">This will be the last aussiewriters blog. Thanks to all those who have participated. Due to family issues I need to take time out. I recommend http://christianwritersdownunder.blogspot.com/ for new author interviews and news of CALEB prize winners. The winner of Rosie Boom's book is Paula Vince of South Australia.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 15.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">Today Chissy Siggee brings an important teenage issue into inspirational fiction—eating disorders: ‘<i>Out of the Shadows: Jenna’s Secret</i> provides just enough medical information to communicate how quickly and drastically an eating disorder can affect a young body.’</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'"> </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'"><b>What convinced you to write about this issue?</b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">While working as a volunteer Pastoral Care worker in Wagga Wagga Base Hospital for three years, I had contact with more than a few young people battling with eating disorders. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'"> </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'"><b>Tell us a bit about the story.</b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">Jenna’s Secret is the story of a girl who, at the brink of going too far, learns from her mistakes and from seeing those who crossed the line.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">Jenna wanted to change, and because of that, she accepted the help of others. Her determination to turn her life around is helped by a network of medical staff, social workers, her family and church family. Unfortunately, this is seldom the case, but through God’s grace, it can happen. This story is meant as an early warning cry to teens and parents alike. Jenna’s Secret also shows how this kind of tragedy can affect any family—in all social classes, even Christian families.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">The story behind Jenna is one of a young girl who didn’t intentionally get herself into this position. No one sets out to be anorexic or bulimic, but the range of deeper psychological problems can lead to the development of more complicated and damaging symptoms of these conditions.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'"> </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'"><b>Tell us something about your writing journey and publication. That itself is an interesting story.</b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">My first hand at writing was Out of the Shadows – Jenna’s Secret. I was almost 50. I had not even used a computer much before that, although I did a basic business course a few years earlier. In 2005, when I finally decided to seriously finish writing Jenna’s Secret, I joined <a href="http://www.faithwriters.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">www.faithwriters.com</span></a>. This group of people became my family during the many months housebound and eventually bed ridden in 2007, due to Spondylolisthesis in my lower back. It’s probably the first time I even had a serious journal. I filled in many sleepless hours writing poems and devotional articles and late in 2008 I was encouraged to publish these too. I self-published ‘Glimpses of His Glory” as a result and sold out in less than six months. My chapter “Hope in the City” was also excepted in 2008 for the book ‘Delivered’ for Peculiar People. <a href="http://www.peculiarpeoplebooks.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">www.peculiarpeoplebooks.com</span></a> I was the only one of the 25 authors from Australia.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">After sharing many of my marketing ideas with other writers, I also decided to write a basic, straight forward, Marketing Guide for the Self-Publisher. <a href="http://chrissysiggee.com/marketing-for-the-selfpublisher/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://chrissysiggee.com/marketing-for-the-selfpublisher/</span></a>. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 15.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">Later that year I started writing for <a href="http://www.thecypresstimes.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">www.thecypresstimes.com</span></a> a Christian online newspaper. In 2009 I was given the fancy title of Manager of the Australian Bureau The Cypress Times, a position I take seriously and love the work I do. Book Reviews have become a specialty for the newspaper, which began with Australia books. I continue this work today, as well as publishing articles on a regular basis in the Faith Section, Gluten Free Recipes and even a few news articles from Down Under.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">Recently, I was accepted as a regular writer for <a href="http://www.sara-ministry.com/index.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.sara-ministry.com/index.html</span></a> and these articles will be seen from January 2010. I look forward to a long term writing relationship with this ministry too.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">These days, besides writing Resumes, I write Fiction, non- Fiction, Devotions and poetry. Many of my articles can be found on my blog page <a href="http://chrissysiggee.com/category/blog-entries/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://chrissysiggee.com/category/blog-entries/</span></a> on my <a href="http://www.chrissysiggee.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">www.chrissysiggee.com</span></a> website.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'"><b>What avenues have you explored in marketing the book?</b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">Where do I begin?</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">I began with a book signing at a local book store. I then approached organisers of local and interstate church conferences where I had book tables. I went on from there to magazines and newspapers. Smaller magazines where easier to approach but finally I found courage to approach Accent and the Salvation Army magazines. Accent editor Daryl-Anne LeRoux took a liking to my book and wrote a complete book promotion. The Salvation Army promoted my book in their Pipeline Magazine before inviting me to speak at staff meetings in Brisbane. Reviews for both books were also written for the Australian Christian Woman.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">I first approached Buy Australian books online, Dymocks and Australian Independent Book Stores, where Jenna’s Secret can still be ordered. Koorong was the last book store I approached. They set me up as a distributor and ordered books immediately.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'">My website has been the biggest sources of sales, especially from buyers from the America, United Kingdom, New Zealand, India, South Africa, and Russia. I lost count of International sales but would be in the vicinity now of 200 copies.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'"> </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'"><b>Where can we buy the book?</b></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:78%;" ><span style="text-decoration: underline; "><a href="http://chrissysiggee.com/shadows/order-your-copy/">http://chrissysiggee.com/shadows/order-your-copy/</a></span> and any of the book stores mention above. </span>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-55693637673837139712011-07-23T02:05:00.000-07:002011-07-24T01:52:59.437-07:00Rosie Boom--Where Lions Roar at Night<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpGoktYPml_eCadTi0aVBbB_fbUABlwlLrGNt0z52Oy1hfZ46GSOMci6ziEwNu4UDv_mR_fZiiBWsB8NxW3RAt5pVMFUgmqqm2cK2GSiUlSxtHCzV6b5u7IsPoIfl_4FLENAYRzqKGuJr/s1600/Rosie+-+web-2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 69px; height: 79px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpGoktYPml_eCadTi0aVBbB_fbUABlwlLrGNt0z52Oy1hfZ46GSOMci6ziEwNu4UDv_mR_fZiiBWsB8NxW3RAt5pVMFUgmqqm2cK2GSiUlSxtHCzV6b5u7IsPoIfl_4FLENAYRzqKGuJr/s320/Rosie+-+web-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632835466254311538" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS are <i>Picking up the Pieces</i> and <i>Where Lion's Roar at Night</i>. THE WINNER OF <i>Your Asperges Partner</i> is Simone of Birkdale. TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT. For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters, email Wendy Sargeant at aussiewriters (at) gmail (dot) com (without the spaces), but before you do, be sure and post a comment.<div><br /></div><div>This month Rosie Boom is the last of the 2010 CALEB winners to be interviewed. Be in the running for the 2011 CALEB prize. See the <a href="http://www.omegawriters.com/">Omega Writers website</a>. Next month we'll be looking at blogs. If you've seen an excellent aussie/asia/pacific blog, let us know.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Welcome Rosie.</div><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">What inspired you to write your books?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">For a number of years women asked me to write a book about what I was teaching them at different conferences. I suppose they were the ones who finally pushed me into actually doing it. The inspiration had been there for a long time--a God-given dream.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">The inspiration to share our family's journey of life in the barn was also bubbling away inside for some time, but was translated into action by many letters from people who had read my emails about all the fun and dramas we were having: "You should write a book!"</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">It's all very well to have the inspiration, but at some point, you just have to start.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; min-height: 16.0pxcolor:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">What do you find is your biggest struggle as an author?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">That would have to be finding the time to get away from my busy life and write. I have so many ideas, so many books I want to write, but how on earth am I going to find all those extra hours in the day?? (I've already given up ironing...)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; min-height: 16.0pxcolor:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">What were your favourite authors as a child?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">C.S Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein. I loved them!</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; min-height: 16.0pxcolor:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">What made you decide to become a writer?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">My passion has always been to be a communicator and an encourager. I love to write songs and to speak, and the desire to write flowed very naturally on from that. I guess I have always been a writer for as long as I can remember, if you count keeping a journal. :) When I was an eight year old in New Guinea I entered a writing competition and actually won it! The prize was a first edition copy of Tolkein's new book, <i>The Fellowship of the Ring!!!</i> Dad read it aloud to us by tilley light in the evenings. What a cool prize.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; min-height: 16.0pxcolor:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Describe your journey to publication.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">In 2000 my children and I wrote and illustrated <i>The Happy Prince </i>and some time later we were given the money to self publish it. This was later picked up by CMCA for distribution. Then in 2001 my husband paid for me to do a writing course with <i>The Writing School--</i>my requested birthday present! I think he only did it because there was a clause in there that said that they would refund the money if you hadn't been published by the end of the course. He was somewhat disappointed when I got my first story published in an American magazine at the end of the first year.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">I sent many short stories off to dozens of magazines and received countless rejections. Not easy! I grew to dread opening the letterbox. But the acceptances began to trickle in from American magazines and then I had several articles published in the NZ School Journal. I was also offered a regular column in <i>The Parenting Magazine--</i>right up my alley.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">I began writing <i>The Gift of Values</i> series and contacted CMCA to see if they'd be interested in publishing it. I was delighted when they enthusiastically said yes. And so began my connection with HSM Australia, who have gone on to publish both <i>The Gift of Values</i> series and <i>The Barn Chronicles</i> series.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; min-height: 16.0pxcolor:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">What are the themes running through your work?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">My real passion is to encourage parents in the somewhat scary but hugely rewarding task of discipling their children in Christian values. And I LOVE to write about the joy of family life.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; min-height: 16.0pxcolor:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">How do you do your work and what medium do you use?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">I type my manuscripts on my laptop, albeit with two fingers. (But I just recently read that Tolkein only typed with two fingers so I find myself in great company.)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; min-height: 16.0pxcolor:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Tell us something about your latest book.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color:#4f0f51;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">My latest book to be published is the second in <i>The Barn Chronicles</i> series, called <i>Where Arrows Fly.</i> It tells of the continuing adventures and fun that the Boom family have had in their second year of living in their ancient barn. Milly is now aged 11 and has an ever growing collection of animals. But she dreams of having her own milking cow. However when the time finally comes, she discovers that training a house cow is not as easy as she thought it would be.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">The story is full of family fun and dramas--an eclectic mix of bows and arrows, camping in Lantern Waste, canoeing flooded rivers, broken bones and stroppy cows.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">"In a world bursting with shock-value and fast-paced cheap thrills, <i>Where Arrows Fly</i> is a simple piece of sunlit childhood." Emma Jelsma, <i>Scene Magazine.</i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i>Thanks, Rosie.</i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i>See more of Rosie's books as </i></span><a href="http://www.wherelionsroaratnight.com/">www.wherelionsroaratnight.com</a> <i>.</i></p></div></div>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-70421532053079752552011-06-12T02:42:00.000-07:002011-06-13T01:45:07.853-07:00Louise Weston--Connecting with Your Asperger Partner<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFOhtkydETT7uxrqFez46eojha_cWvUz5hMz5jKlY-ZoJG2GcGC1jnKemzhu3Xfcz-RJ-LuCk8-Yo4TbB7bu4IsPn9-NNuFXF36ATGnzBn6hsQWhABBOo3EVO6YY_uV3Pj2oF1TRoC7QK/s1600/LouisePbook.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFOhtkydETT7uxrqFez46eojha_cWvUz5hMz5jKlY-ZoJG2GcGC1jnKemzhu3Xfcz-RJ-LuCk8-Yo4TbB7bu4IsPn9-NNuFXF36ATGnzBn6hsQWhABBOo3EVO6YY_uV3Pj2oF1TRoC7QK/s320/LouisePbook.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617267545774484850" border="0" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS are <span style="font-style:italic;">Mothering Heights</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Connecting with your Asperger Partner.</span> TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT. For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters, post a comment and email Wendy at aussiewriters at gmail dot com.<br /><br />Louise Weston is our guest this week. Louise has a book signing on June 18th at Koorong, Brisbane. Get along to support her.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-style: italic;">Connecting With Your Asperger Partner</span><br /><br /><br /><b>Book blurb</b><br /><br />Communication and intimacy can feel like a constant struggle in relationships where one partner has Asperger Syndrome (AS). For the neuro-typical partner (NT) in particular, this can be an endless source of frustration, misunderstandings, and tears.<br /><br />Drawing on her own experience of being married to a man with AS, Louise Weston shows that the road to intimacy begins with letting go of expectations and looking after your own physical and emotional needs. She provides tried-and-tested strategies for relating to and connecting with your AS partner, as well as useful tips for coping with hurtful words and meltdowns, helping your partner to interpret emotions, and finding further sources of help and support. Above all, she shows that although your AS/NT relationship will challenge you beyond what you ever thought possible, by letting go of expectations and respecting each others' differences, this unique partnership really can be both happy and successful.<br /><br />Brimming with stories and advice from other NT partners, this practical book will help NTs take positive steps towards connecting with their AS partners. It will also be a useful resource for counsellors and other professionals who wish to deepen their understanding of AS/NT relationships.<br /><br />“My book is a self-help manual that takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery resulting in connection with their loved one with Aspergers.”</div><div><br /><b>About Louise</b></div><div><br />Louise Weston is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Queensland, Australia. She was the former coordinator of a monthly support group for NT partners and spouses of individuals with Asperger Syndrome. Louise is happily married to her husband, Graham. After they were married in 1999, Graham was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. His diagnosis was inspirational in writing this book.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you tell the parent of a child with Aspergers?</span><br /><br /></div><div>The highest priority is to look after yourself. By this I mean ensure you have enough sleep or rest to cope with the frequent misunderstandings and meltdowns that are common with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). As well as enough sleep, it’s really important to do some relaxing or enjoyable activities to refresh you so that you can keep going. Another wise tip is to empathise with your child. My book has a whole chapter on “Entering into the Aspie’s World.” Once you “put yourself into the Asperger person’s shoes”, you start to understand what they go through and why they have certain behaviours.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why do people on the Autism Spectrum have difficulty fitting in with others?</span><br /><br />One man with AS told me that he thought he was an alien until he was 10 or 11. He was bullied at school and always had trouble acquiring and keeping a job due to “not getting things right” or not understanding the subtleties of body language. If you watch Big Bang Theory, you will know what I mean when you see how Sheldon is extremely rigid in his thinking. Not only does he have idiosyncrasies that he must follow, he takes things literally and has difficulty relating on other peoples’ terms. Problems with social interaction and communication are obviously difficult, making it a chore for someone with AS to make friends.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why are friendships difficult to maintain for someone on the Autism Spectrum?<br /><br /></span>Friendship can be a strange concept for a person with Aspergers. One AS person commented. “Why do I need friends? They just use me or take time away from my Special Interest?” Interacting socially is not their first language; hence they are less likely to look to friends for support or comfort. Most have a few or no friends. Their “Special interest” consumes a lot of their time and is a comfort to them.</div><div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tell us about sensory issues</span>.<br /><br />People on the Autism Spectrum can often have hypo or hyper-sensitivity when it comes to the senses. Sensory processing issues can bombard the AS person all day—to the point of sensory overload. The effort required by the person to be socially connected is quite difficult. If their job, school or study involves interacting with people all day, they can usually “hold it together” until they arrive home. This is safe ground so they can “let go” and often have a meltdown about something that may seem trivial to us. To recuperate they may require sleep or “downtime” away from people, usually relaxing in front of the TV or enjoying their Special Interest.</div><div><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Where can we buy the book?</span><br /><br />There are links on my website to Footprint books (NSW), Jessica Kingsley Publishers (UK), some Angus and Robertson and select stores like Open Leaves in Brisbane, Koorong online or order through Koorong Stores.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How do we find out more?</span><br /><br />I talk about the “Four vital keys” to Self-discovery and Reconnecting with Your Asperger Loved One. You will have to read the book to find out what they are!<br /><br />Visit my website <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.louiseweston.com.au">www.louiseweston.com.au</a> to email me or to hear me speak:<br />♥ You-tube interview with Craig Evans from Autism Hangout<br />♥ Radio Interviews with the ABC and 96fives’ “Talking Life” show.<br />♥ She will also be a Guest on 101FM on Tuesday 14th at 1140am.</div>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-253981031849087822011-06-01T04:32:00.000-07:002011-06-02T01:29:14.900-07:0010 Ways to Save $100 Per Month...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyCqS_4lnwN-1GQgl4hNy-6k0-reMFmapSPM8y8d8618EA6JreWOgWh0sphwuTimG2__5xn8X5TZNn4DT-Oec-ACK9_6nCrI3hhsXX3WT8e7AYz1ejojW59FKxHQz9rjQuSf8jO1Wjc5d/s1600/saving+money+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyCqS_4lnwN-1GQgl4hNy-6k0-reMFmapSPM8y8d8618EA6JreWOgWh0sphwuTimG2__5xn8X5TZNn4DT-Oec-ACK9_6nCrI3hhsXX3WT8e7AYz1ejojW59FKxHQz9rjQuSf8jO1Wjc5d/s320/saving+money+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613223270116508578" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS ARE <span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Picking up the Pieces</span></span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Mothering Heights. </span>TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT. For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters, email Wendy Sargeant at aussiewriters (at) gmail (dot) com (without the spaces), but before you do, be sure and post a comment.<br /><br />Our guest blogger, Simone Trinder has compiled these money saving tips we all need. Look out for the forthcoming series <span style="font-style:italic;">How to Thrive in Hard Times</span> of which Simone will be a contributor. Welcome Simone.<br /><br /><br />1. Make a meals list before shopping and you are less likely to buy fast food or food that may go off, such as food with a short use-by date that you later forget.<br /><br />2. Put your usual list of foods on an excel database and use it to shop. You are less likely to forget and have to re-shop during the week. Avoid using credit cards where possible. It is easy to overspend when you don’t have to pay up front.<br /><br />3. One survey found the average person can save $300 a year by using only what’s in the cupboard and freezer once a week. Use all that you have bought, (condiments are an exception), that way you are less likely to waste forgotten food or let it run past the use by date. <br /><br />4. If you are with a bank that is ruthless with unfair bank fees, to get these fees back, go to <a href="http://www.financialredress.com.au">www.financialredress.com.au</a> and <a href="http://www.yourshare.com.au">www.yourshare.com.au</a> .<br /><br />6. If you live in the Sydney or Melbourne area, to save money on car maintenance, rego, insurance and petrol, sign up with <a href="http://www.goget.com.au">www.goget.com.au</a> or <a href="http://www.flexicar.com.au">flexicar.com.au</a><br />(These are car share companies). <br /><br />7. Refuse ATMs with high fees, (if you can't, start a fight-back campaign for bank fees through Facebook, and also change your bank to one somewhat better fees). For example, ING. <br /><br />8. If you have to use a credit card, use one with reward points, (the small rewards are much better than nothing). <br /><br />9. Grow your own fruit and vegies. Build up the soil nutrients with Alroc from <a href="http://www.safe.com.au">www.safe.com.au</a>, and plant, (go with www.seed.com.au, www.thelostseed.com.au (for Tasmania residents). www.diggers.com.au).<br /><br />10. You can reuse the seeds over and over, because they are not genetically modified, and you also can pass the seeds onto others. If you lack planting space, you can also use stackpots, <a href="http://www.stackapots.com.au">www.stackapots.com.au</a> these range from about $38 to $75. Or www.livingapartment.com.au for hanging pots to grow herbs, etc. These range from about $38. <br /><br />Thanks Simone. We look forward to more tips in the future.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Wendy</span>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-59067677506327275692011-05-20T17:12:00.000-07:002011-05-22T23:15:08.285-07:00Mothering Heights--Keitha Smith and Sue Brereton<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdvRRYd6iTBCxmaP-rij2o_738QijUZJuldDMrQSXXOS5x0wgv1RIULqMPc_uctrgRt_0c7QbRw87fsiSUu3aiD0iDDO44fptUcCsay73RZrQDAzJeMNErEtGWZDS4-_3Q-g5lFJehido/s1600/Slide1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdvRRYd6iTBCxmaP-rij2o_738QijUZJuldDMrQSXXOS5x0wgv1RIULqMPc_uctrgRt_0c7QbRw87fsiSUu3aiD0iDDO44fptUcCsay73RZrQDAzJeMNErEtGWZDS4-_3Q-g5lFJehido/s320/Slide1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608956934966676370" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS ARE <span style="font-style:italic;">Picking up the Pieces</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Mothering Heights.</span> TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters, email Wendy Sargeant at aussiewriters (at) gmail (dot) com (without the spaces), but before you do, be sure and post a comment.<br /><br />Liz Shelton is our guest blogger today. Liz has a book review on the winner of the Mom's Choice Awards for 2010 : <span style="font-style:italic;">Mothering Heights</span> by Keitha Smith and Sue Brereton. Thanks, Liz.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Wendy</span><br /><br /><br />BOOK REVIEW<br />Smith, K. and Brereton, S. 2009. <span style="font-style:italic;">Mothering Heights</span>, Judson Press, Valley Forge PA.<br />The subtitle of this book is <span style="font-style:italic;">A novel approach for Christian Mothers</span>. The book is beautifully structured and easy to read with each chapter using applicable quotes from classic novels to highlight the content of that particular chapter--novels such as <span style="font-style:italic;">Treasure Island, Wuthering Heights</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Pride and Prejudice</span> for instance. One chapter deals with the assumptions we make, some of them false, leading to trouble. Other chapters deal with the servant nature of Jesus or the need for fellowship with God’s people. <br />In the Introduction the authors talk about ‘intentional motherhood.’ They say that an intentional mother is a mother who is aware of the value and purpose of being a mother. A mother who uses biblical principles as the foundation for bringing up children. I was very impressed by the statement that an intentional mother knows that being a mother is a relationship, not just a task. This introduction leads to the chapters covering different aspects of our relationship with God and people and how this helps us be mothers fulfilling God’s purpose.<br />At the end of each chapter there are some questions in the section called ‘Bringing Wisdom to Life’. Not to be used as a test, but to make us think about our own views and beliefs about the subject of the chapter. <br />And in the chapter called 'Sense and Sensibility' there are some lists of hints and tips gathered from the authors and a group of mothers from their personal experiences over the years.<br />This book was a surprise; not what I expected at all. I didn’t find lists of hints and tips for getting children dressed, fed and tidied in time to be dropped at school. Or how to lead your children to the Lord. In fact, you don’t find very much about how to handle children at all. What you do find is mostly all about YOU the mother, and your relationship with God.<br />I feel that the approach taken by the authors of talking about our relationship with God first, as the most important aspect of our lives both as people and as mothers is certainly getting our priorities right. Because when we are right with God our relationships with our families and other people work better.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Liz Shelton</span><br /><br />You can buy the book at <a href="http://www.motheringheights.org/about/purchase-the-book"></a><a href="http://www.motheringheights.org/about/purchase-the-book"></a>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-32549548522491776522011-04-10T00:21:00.000-07:002011-05-03T20:27:32.765-07:00Paula Vince--Picking up the Pieces<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3k2dpFsX1A7_PlxvH0erOYaUeeYIiFAEjLrFk4UFZaOCa0jdwyLXTnWklo3XpxBqk-HB7X0jw7kHe0HTWV0tBpNsdEO1vLBGwTfFz0uaS160Zxm5KSmiCEXRzKPlH450BPTlxCk5X8vW/s1600/PaulaVpic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3k2dpFsX1A7_PlxvH0erOYaUeeYIiFAEjLrFk4UFZaOCa0jdwyLXTnWklo3XpxBqk-HB7X0jw7kHe0HTWV0tBpNsdEO1vLBGwTfFz0uaS160Zxm5KSmiCEXRzKPlH450BPTlxCk5X8vW/s320/PaulaVpic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595700425668583410" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS are P<span style="font-style:italic;">icking up the Pieces</span>, and <span style="font-style:italic;">Aussie Stories</span> or <span style="font-style:italic;">Heartland: A Parable</span>. TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT and click 'Follow' in the bottom LH corner.<br /><br />COMING SOON>>>MONEY SAVING TIPS FOR WRITERS>>><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />If you have a money-saving tip for writers, email me at aussiewriters at gmail dot com and you'll be in the draw for an aussiewriters book.</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Wendy<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br /><br />We welcome Paula Vince, another winner of the CALEB inspirational awards for 2010.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">When did you start writing and why?</span><br /><br />I’ve been writing stories since I was a small girl at primary school. I’ve always been an avid reader and hated coming to the end of a book that I enjoyed. I would make up extra stories about what might happen to the characters next until I could have filled a book as long as the original author’s. This is why I decided to write my own fiction books, so they would never have to end until I wanted them to. Whenever anybody asked me, I’d say, “I want to write novels.” I never really wanted to do anything else.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What are the issues in your book and what convinced you to write about them?</span><br /><br />The issues <span style="font-style:italic;">Picking up the Pieces</span> deals with include rape, teenage pregnancy, abortion, accidental injury and sexual harassment. This may sound a bit gloomy and heavy but that’s far from the truth. My intention is for the book to bring joy and hope to the hearts of readers as they see the triumphant way these issues are handled as characters turn to God.<br />At the time, I’d been reading dramatic fiction in which nasty villains commit crimes with no shred of remorse. I began to ponder what deeply-rooted unhappiness may inspire a person to commit a serious crime. It seemed very sad to me that already deeply troubled people must bear a load of censure and blame on top of whatever they’ve done. So I decided I wanted to write a different sort of story in which the criminal is handled with the same sensitivity and compassion as the victim of his crime. <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tell us about the plot.</span><br /><br />My heroine, Claire Parker, begins as a naïve, sweet-natured girl with optimistic hopes for her future. My hero, Blake Quinlan, is a sensitive and introverted young man who succumbs to a terrible crime of passion which is totally out of character for him. They and their families deal with the aftermath of blame, bitterness and remorse. But seven years later, the two main characters meet each other again and find themselves in for several challenging and wonderful surprises.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tell us more about the characters.</span><br /><br />I enjoy delving into their hearts and motivations. As well as the two characters I’ve mentioned, the hero’s sister-in-law and two brothers each have interesting stories of their own. I love it when readers discuss my characters with me as if they have become real friends who have earned their affection. One of my favourite exercises is to take a character who may seem thorny or unlikable on the surface and convince readers to love him.<br />I wanted <span style="font-style:italic;">Picking up the Pieces </span>to be a book to turn stereotypes on their heads. I wanted people to love my main man who had committed a despicable action and I wanted readers to come to the end of a book dealing with such serious themes with lightness and joy, rather than heaviness in their hearts.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What audience would read the book?</span><br /><br />I’ve had good feedback from teenagers and adults alike. Although I’d tend to say women and girls in their late teens, males have also told me that the book has impacted them. I’ll always remember the 11-year-old boy who stated that <span style="font-style:italic;">Picking up the Pieces </span>was one of his “all-time favourite books” which he’d read several times over.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Can you recommend other books on the subject that have inspired you?</span><br /><br />I enjoy all sorts of contemporary or historical novels which combine a good, fast-moving plot with sound, thoughtful character development. I’ve come across novels which seem to major on one aspect at the expense of the other. Some have been jam-packed with action, but don’t delve into the hearts of characters or indicate what makes them ‘tick’. Others have oozed with characters’ epiphanies and reflections, yet I’ve turned pages, growing increasingly frustrated and wondering, “When is something actually going to happen?” I think action and reflection must complement each other and highly recommend any book which successfully does this.<br />Over the past few years, I’ve been pleased to read many new publications by Australian Christian authors which achieve this balance. <br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />What avenues have you explored in marketing the book?</span><br /><br />I feel as if the surface has just been scratched. All of my books are available from Koorong and Word, as they are essentially faith-building novels, and I also love to reach the mainstream market wherever I can. I have my website, appleleafbooks.com, and also a fan page on Face Book which I’d love you to join. I also keep my own blog, appleleafblog.blogspot.com. I am always on the look-out for new ways to promote and market my books.<br />Where can we buy the book?<br /> <br />Here are the four easiest ways.<br />1) My website, w<a href="http://www.appleafbooks.com">ww.appleleafbooks.com</a><br />2) My publisher’s website,<a href="http:// www.evenbeforepublishing.com.au"> www.evenbeforepublishing.com.au</a><br />3) Koorong and other good Christian bookstores.<br />4) Light the Dark Australian Christian party plan. <a href="http://www.lightthedark.com.au">www.lightthedark.com.au</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Thanks Paula. I look forward to reading the book.<br /> <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Wendy</span>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-42184116821651579452011-03-21T20:15:00.000-07:002011-03-21T21:44:39.485-07:00Short Story Writer --Charles Fivaz<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRBhw2_g8y8BUZRaC0yC5orv7LSMQ0n7G_4YyA8FryigkwGLYxc-qSUMOZkHLZzfK-Wphbcb4HYaKmRwc7pMSAgniQR8THWGs9dA89u9aiD85QylNFWn5wmUEWaXBmHzyIzlUzR5fuhMr/s1600/Aussie_Stories.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRBhw2_g8y8BUZRaC0yC5orv7LSMQ0n7G_4YyA8FryigkwGLYxc-qSUMOZkHLZzfK-Wphbcb4HYaKmRwc7pMSAgniQR8THWGs9dA89u9aiD85QylNFWn5wmUEWaXBmHzyIzlUzR5fuhMr/s320/Aussie_Stories.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586458756982170242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQna06VlA7ugFm_Haf3UeBpqhSghbFuy6Ja0pYYQ97wwCMIJhkMZfmyxAHUPXljl8_47v6jUEvaiZ-8_UAU-nfWrAYKHGc2X7kAVIdM6k3ZeA7bIiCRMTA_y1pGdDIJe0Ht0lxx-9nH5TR/s1600/Charles_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQna06VlA7ugFm_Haf3UeBpqhSghbFuy6Ja0pYYQ97wwCMIJhkMZfmyxAHUPXljl8_47v6jUEvaiZ-8_UAU-nfWrAYKHGc2X7kAVIdM6k3ZeA7bIiCRMTA_y1pGdDIJe0Ht0lxx-9nH5TR/s320/Charles_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586458668864273138" /></a><br /><br />The WINNERS this month are Michelle E and Rita G. .<br /><br />The GIVEAWAYS NEXT MONTH are a copy of <span style="font-style:italic;">Aussie Stories</span> (an anthology of short stories published by Strand Publishing, 2009) <br />OR <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Heartland: A Parable</span> by Charles Fivaz (BookPal, 2010.) and <span style="font-style:italic;">The Silver Poplar</span> by Edmund Smith.<br /><br />QUESTIONS<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">You were involved in professional theatre for a time. How did that experience inform your writing?<br /> </span><br />Yes, I spent a year singing, dancing and acting in a musical production. Drama is just another form of story telling, so I spent that year really soaking up that particular form of the art. Of course, drama is a very visual form, so that year presented me with a great opportunity to develop my visual imagination which is so essential to the craft of writing. I mean, readers want to see your story, visualise it, picture the characters and the setting, and they’re often disappointed when they see a film adaptation of a book because it doesn’t match their own picture-drama of the narrative. Theatre did also give me an appreciation of how the characters I was playing could best be presented. My initial ideas were often at odds with the director, so it was a marvellous learning experience about what works for an audience and what doesn’t.<br /> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Did you find the theatre a difficult place to maintain a moral stance?</span><br /> <br />Difficult? Now that’s an understatement! The world of theatre and film is notoriously amoral. It’s a world of “anything goes” – I suppose because professional actors and dancers are constantly having to put themselves into the characters they are portraying, dark or otherwise. Professionally they have to be indifferent to the morality of a situation they are acting out. It’s the world they live and work in and the line between on and off stage often blurs. But I have to say that when a performer does make a quiet, often unspoken moral stand (off-stage), everyone generally respects that. Even admires it. But it is difficult. To make it even more difficult, the show that I was in went on tour, which meant the cast were living in hotels and sharing digs in various towns. You couldn’t get a more blurry line than that! The trick was to be constantly aware of the blur, then be firm and constant in your spiritual life and in the integrity of your relationships.<br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How did you establish your contacts in the industry? I'm asking this to help authors learn about marketing</span>.<br /> <br />Joining writers’ groups and attending writers’ festivals put me in touch with the industry. The Victorian Writers’ Centre for example runs year-round workshops, talks and panel discussions that involve the whole gamut of the industry. Emerging and established authors attend these events, along with editors, publishers, publicists, artists, journalists and so on. And you get to meet and speak to people in the know. Same with the festivals, especially the Emerging Writers’ Festival in Melbourne which is especially geared for getting new writers to come to grips with the market. I met a lot of handy people there. One other thing I did was to phone and write to other authors for advice; Sharon Witt for example, who had successfully self-published her books. I was amazed at how generous authors are in sharing their experience with newcomers.<br /> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">It's notoriously difficult to get short stories published. Which markets did you explore? How did you go about it?</span><br /> <br />I didn’t so much explore as fall into one by sheer luck. I sent a short story to an advertised national competition that promised publication to prize winners. It was my first attempt and I was awarded third prize. I was astonished. I say “luck” because judges and editors look for different things at different times, and they have their own pet likes and dislikes. Your brilliant submission may be not quite what they were looking for in their publication. The next story I sent to a Christian publisher got no reply. Then a year later it was looked at again – and accepted. Writers and mentors always advise: be patient and persistent, and do have a good look at the publication to see if your story will suit its style and readership. The Victorian Writers’ Centre’s monthly magazine and online news bulletin regularly lists the competitions and publications that ask for story submissions. That’s where I got most of my marketing ideas.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What are the themes running through your work?</span><br /> <br />My stories are often about journeys of transition. About transformation. My characters have to face themselves, their past, their prejudices, and their attachments. They struggle to transcend their “stuckness”. Wanting to ‘have life and have it to the full’ is a painful process, and I want to show that. Having faith in dark times is another theme. Faith is the one thing that will carry us through life’s trials – faith working through love. Another favourite theme is humility: characters having to deal with their ego-centricity. We all have to do battle with our egos, don’t we?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tell us something about your latest book.</span><br /> <br />Heartland. Well, first of all it’s a parable. Parables are like dreams. When you’ve had a significant dream what happened was you’ve told yourself a story! And when you tell someone else that story or write it down, you realise it’s about some real aspect of your life that needs attention right now. In telling the story you kind of get in touch with the problem; you say, ‘Ah! This means that, and that’s what I need to do here.’ The dream is a fiction narrative, but it is a “true” story. So: Heartland is a story about a runaway farm girl in search of her roots, looking for healing, and about her father who must let go of everything in his quest to find her. They’re on an emotional roller-coaster, journeying through farm lands and through their history. It’s a rite of passage for both of them, and when the farming community gets involved they too are challenged and transformed. An Indigenous tribesman plays a significant role as the heroine’s mentor. He tells her stories, using myth and fable to engage and encourage her. But what’s Heartland really about? Christian readers will have little trouble figuring it out. Even secular readers have told me they were moved by it and got a lot from it. A retired South African journalist called it “an enthralling read for anyone concerned about moving forward from the hurts of the past to a unified and forgiving future.” And they should know! <br /> <br />Link to my work: www.heartlandaparable.com .<br />Thanks Charles,<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Wendy</span>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-84621789390413541192011-03-05T08:55:00.000-08:002011-03-06T14:59:43.456-08:00Edmund Smith --The Silver Poplar<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_O5oqudHvYzEzK3Iy6ecVzBj8Mj44hdND0CrsJ99h5yR-xCL78jmtqv5lfYunTwyFtGFR89-v93_oLu8al2j4pQoMuSisKlz3kO_aeU9A9fKa6hemiA0YyU7oXAkoK8FqNl-CseomiClM/s1600/SilverPoplarDec09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_O5oqudHvYzEzK3Iy6ecVzBj8Mj44hdND0CrsJ99h5yR-xCL78jmtqv5lfYunTwyFtGFR89-v93_oLu8al2j4pQoMuSisKlz3kO_aeU9A9fKa6hemiA0YyU7oXAkoK8FqNl-CseomiClM/s320/SilverPoplarDec09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579020432342112850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNA5PDKdtbOp2E0zcCerrsONHRPqrWcp1-eXQA0fA2UP4q6vEDVAVrVMKJl8x6CXE-sgtDxiudPJfFgHmze_eu6U30CmGfOsfjTc6kCAuOt3v71TaNrfSHiRohnN7yD157gpD7L5VtqJa/s1600/Edmond+Smith+May09.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNA5PDKdtbOp2E0zcCerrsONHRPqrWcp1-eXQA0fA2UP4q6vEDVAVrVMKJl8x6CXE-sgtDxiudPJfFgHmze_eu6U30CmGfOsfjTc6kCAuOt3v71TaNrfSHiRohnN7yD157gpD7L5VtqJa/s320/Edmond+Smith+May09.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559211130656805346" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS ARE <span style="font-style:italic;">The Silver Poplar</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Yellow Zone</span>. TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT. For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters, email Wendy Sargeant at aussiewriters (at) gmail (dot) com (without the spaces), but before you do, be sure and post a comment.<br /><br />Edmund Smith's <span style="font-style:italic;">The Silver Poplar i</span>s the CALEB winner in the Biography section. As we witness the tragedy in Christchurch, New Zealand and think of those left without loved ones, Edmund's story as an orphan with a keen sense of the grace of God is a real witness for humanity. Welcome, Edmund. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The issues of adoption and fostering are pivotal to your work. What do you think of adoption, fostering and surrogacy now? </span><br /> <br /> A. Fostering and adoption have undergone great changes since the times <span style="font-style:italic;">The Silver Poplar </span> is set in, and in many ways for the better. More efforts are made to ensure compatibility between would-be adopters and children - even efforts are made quite often to match them for physical likeness. Foster mothers frequently find it hard to hand back babies after short care, but their love is such that many of them continue to foster other little ones. Love for abandoned children or ones not naturally your own by way of adoption or fostering is special. <br /><br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">At what point did you decide you would have to write this story down? </span><br /> <br />A. Although <span style="font-style:italic;">The Silver Poplar</span> was only published in December 2009, it was written in a long form roughly 30 years ago--written out of a crying need to give way to emotion about my past as a bewildered boy in an institution for neglected children. The story was eventually shortened and set out to make more explicit the wonderful change the grace of God brought about in me at age 17, a year before I left the institution. What was initially designed for a secular publisher became one with a Christian one in mind. <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How did your family and friends react when you made it public? </span><br /> <br />A. Some were surprised to learn of my past, for I had said little about it, feeling few would understand. Many have expressed admiration for my honesty and the ability I had to capture the spirit of the times in which I lived. Reactions have varied in terms of being saddened or amused by the book's content. One friend remarked my experiences "were full of an overwhelming sadness," and yet said it is written with grace and humour. <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What do you say to people who experience depression and self doubt? </span><br /> <br />A. It is a difficult question to answer in a few words but, based on my experience, ultimately I seek to point out the need to rest in the grace of God through Christ. One friend, whom I knew well in younger days, wrote to me upon reading The Silver Poplar and said, "you have an incredibly strong spirit to have endured all that life has presented you," but I do not feel that way about myself. I often feel frail and fragile, even in knowing the grace of God is at hand for me in Christ. I can still get depressed and can be vulnerable to self-doubt, and for that reason can have empathy for those who suffer in that way. As I said, whatever help can be given, ultimately there is a need to rest in God's power and mercy. <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Can you recommend other biographies that have inspired you? </span><br /> <br />A. If it means recommending what is still purchasable, there is no guarantee all the books mentioned can be now obtained. <span style="font-style:italic;">Life in Jesus</span> by Octavius Winslow is a lovely book, to do with the author's mother who was widowed at 40 and then went to America, giving birth to nine children. I remember someone reading the book and being driven to kneel in prayer, when previously kneeling was not the thing to do. That is the kind of book it is. <br /><br />Other books to inspire have been: Richard Wurmbrand's <span style="font-style:italic;">Christ on the Jewish Road</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">The Pastor's Wife </span>by Sabina Wurmbrand, <span style="font-style:italic;">Augustine's Confessions</span>, Arnold Dallimore's <span style="font-style:italic;">Spurgeon</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">The Heavenly Man</span> by Brother Yun. <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tell us something about your story. </span><br /> <br /> A. At the age of six I entered a country place in Victoria called The Sutherland Homes for neglected children. I entered there believing I was an orphan. The place was my home for 11 years. At the age of 15 I discovered I had a sister; we were separated from one another when I was four. In the rest of my time at Sutherland, we knew nothing of our parents. <br /><br />In my late teenage years my guardians believed I had the ability to do Fifth Year at Eltham High. It was then 'Auntie Lil' sent me an unwanted Bible. I set out to burn it. How I did not is disclosed in The Silver Poplar, which ends by telling of how I discovered at long last much about my family history and the triumph I had at a family reunion in Tasmania in 2002. <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Where can we buy the book? </span><br /><br />A. It can be bought through Koorong, Word bookshops or QBD http://www.qbd.com.au/product/9781921589102-Silver_Poplar_by_Edmond_Smith.htm. Or, it can be bought directly from me at a reduced price. <br />The email address is eksmith (dot) email (at) gmail (dot) com, should anyone wish to contact me and have the book posted.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Thanks, Edmund, for showing us how great tragedy can be turned around.<br /><br />Wendy</span>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-67904848445194258192011-02-06T15:17:00.000-08:002011-02-07T15:37:56.781-08:00Jan Dyer--Yellow Zone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD0q8YENKDUcchDXBhiELorFC66pLTSrLZ2gYHyEg4f2tGSRpx2jXESAQt3SzC7PuebvN-lf1MkPt9wsLUmJqkknCfBja64_lgHYmPgcoJRpZH-jV2E1NM7MWkMV_emyJsgKoAPiMx_ab/s1600/InterviewJanelle+G+Dyerpic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 121px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD0q8YENKDUcchDXBhiELorFC66pLTSrLZ2gYHyEg4f2tGSRpx2jXESAQt3SzC7PuebvN-lf1MkPt9wsLUmJqkknCfBja64_lgHYmPgcoJRpZH-jV2E1NM7MWkMV_emyJsgKoAPiMx_ab/s320/InterviewJanelle+G+Dyerpic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571091739285271618" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS are <span style="font-style:italic;">Yellow Zone </span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">The Silver Poplar.</span> TO BE IN THE DRAW, FOLLOWERS POST A COMMENT.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1: What convinced you to write about this issue?</span><br />As far back as we can remember, disasters have been with us. The recent floods of eastern Australia were jokingly compared to Noah’s great flood. It was referred to by one politician as a flood of ‘Biblical proportions’. Disasters, whether they are naturally occurring or induced through war and poverty, have always been a part of our human condition. However, the question posed in today‘s society is whether disasters are increasing worldwide or are they being reported and documented more regularly since the advent of internet and satellite technologies. I take the view that disasters and the ferocity of them are an increasing phenomenon. Most scientists agree with this view, although they may differ from each other as to why they occur. With the world’s population quadrupling within one century, more lives are lost and more people are affected: Homes, businesses and infrastructure are destroyed while agriculture and natural resources experience severe setback and economic loss.<br />What convinced me to write about it? Since there is so much doom and gloom on the subject, I preferred, like many others, to take the positive viewpoint by seeing it from a Biblical perspective. Bible prophecy not only forewarns us of near future events and impending disasters, it provides us with a cause and reason for them. Most of all, it offers God’s help to a world in trouble; the Way to prevail and move forward through the midst of tragedy. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2: Tell us a bit about the story.</span><br />Without giving too much of the plot away; terrorist cells attack and destroy a large proportion of our civilised world and cripple the global economy. Political systems fall as the financial sector crumbles. The whole world is perplexed as one leader rises to world dominance. No longer is there a democracy or a voice for the common people.<br />A young man, Scott Ryan, and his teenage sister Sally are forced to live in Yellow Zone, a gated community set up to protect and shelter a large population. In time, Yellow Zone draws fear and cynicism from its people. Deadly secrets are uncovered and it is a race against time for survival. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3: What do you say to people who are experiencing devastation right now such as you depicted in the aftermath of a terrorist attack – whether from war or natural disaster, such as our recent Australian floods?</span><br />In general, I think when disaster hits a nation such as the recent floods imposed on our beloved country, people re-evaluate their priorities. Possessions are nice to have but human beings and relationships become a focus and are suddenly realised as more precious than things. Perhaps experiencing such enormity of devastation and loss as the floods brought, we either band together and share the grief and loss or we retreat into ourselves and attempt to ignore the pain and despair around us. Disaster and tragedy visits families all the time, but because it’s confined within small groups or happening on the other side of the planet, we can feel detached from it or insensitive. ‘Life goes on’, as the saying goes but tragedy picks on lives impartially and life deals with people unfairly. Eventually misfortune to varying degrees happens to us all. <br />What to do in the event of a disaster or crisis? Do we put our heads in the sand or do we become pro-active? It was so encouraging for me to see the thousands of people (many facing their own personal loss), going out and helping others in similar or direr circumstances. I felt in awe of these people. They were being the hands, feet and resources of God – the divine touch to a very human need. Another popular saying that encourages me is, ‘When God closes a door, He opens another.’ In the face of hardship, despair and uncertainty, God is the only constant One we can rely on. He comforts us by bringing resources and caring people across our paths to help us. He also opens other doors to new and deepening relationships. <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4: Can you recommend other books on the subject that have inspired you?</span><br />Of course the first books that come to mind straight away are the Left Behind fiction series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins. These depict a world in chaos just prior to Christ’s return to earth to judge the nations.<br />Some other nonfiction books I recommend on this subject are: <span style="font-style:italic;">Storm Warning</span> by Billy Graham; <span style="font-style:italic;">The Merciful God of Prophecy</span> by Tim LaHaye, and E<span style="font-style:italic;">picenter</span> by Joel C Rosenberg. Unfortunately I’m not aware of many Aussie books on this subject. The great late Kiwi, Barry Smith had many books covering end-time prophecy which are worth looking at.<br />For personal grief:<span style="font-style:italic;"> Bereavement, A Shared Experience </span>by Helen Alexander and <span style="font-style:italic;">The Darkness and the Dawn</span> by Charles Swindoll which covers Christ’s very personal suffering.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />5: Tell us something about your writing journey and publication. That itself is an interesting story.</span><br />My journey as a writer began at an early age, as do so many others. My first real work (not published), was <span style="font-style:italic;">QT, The Quarter Ton Elephant</span> who broke loose from his handler and created havoc down Queen Street, Brisbane. At ten, I was pen pal to an Indian missionary working in the Punjab District. I hope I was an encouragement to her as she selflessly worked with those precious people. I certainly was encouraged by her. That’s the marvellous thing about writing; no matter what our age or disability we can encourage, sympathise and comfort, teach and mentor people through the written word.<br />My first (self) published book was a collection of my plays and skits called, <span style="font-style:italic;">An Australian Christian Play, An Endangered Species.</span> Like many first time published authors, I look back thirty years and understand why it wasn’t a top seller. And there’s still so much room for improvement.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Yellow Zone</span> is my first publication through a royalty-based publishing house. Rochelle Manners of Wombat Books and EvenBeforePublishing has the difficult task of getting Aussie and Kiwi books out there to the general public and she works tirelessly for writers and readers alike.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6: What avenues have you explored in marketing the book?</span><br />No different to anyone else, I’ve taken part in radio interviews e.g. on 4GR, Voice 92.9 FM, Redlands FM and CVC Sunshine Coast. I had a book launch at my local church, Humeridge Church of Christ and book signings at Koorong. I’ve set up my own website (which needs updating), had interviews in the<span style="font-style:italic;"> Chronicle</span> newspaper and <span style="font-style:italic;">Gatton Star</span> and co-manned our publisher’s bookstall at Easterfest in Toowoomba. I’ve had book reviews and my book was a focus in book clubs. I’ve entered writing competitions and have done workshops at Brisbane’s Word Writers’ Fair. Apart from these successful marketing forays I’ve written to many newspapers, contacted numerous radio stations and participated in mail outs to schools and bookstores. Marketing is not one of my strengths but certainly it is a necessary job. It is good to be part of a writers’ group which shares successes and failures, common to us all.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">7: Where can we buy the book?</span><br />Probably the best place to go is online to my publisher www.evenbeforepublishing.com ; my website, www.janelledyer.com or www.buyaustralianbooks.com.au . Teacher’s notes are available through the publisher and right now the old edition cover of ‘Yellow Zone’ is at the special price of $6.50 plus shipping and handling. Recommended retail price for new edition cover is $19.95. Thanks Wendy for giving me this opportunity to blog on your site and to offer a free book to one of your readers.<br /><br />It was great to have you, Jan.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Wendy</span>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-86242703963966965762011-01-16T13:37:00.000-08:002011-05-10T20:30:53.084-07:00Lessons from the Floods<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXo9AKfPoAVujGpkUY2zSeZU-41pOWEiTzVKVW7apN86Aj_1KqtLvKPK97-dHaHc7jXsAy2-P4cw_GYPUjv3Osl5vRqRE5Mxg5CgLZDLj7eSLv6i1KyEpbH4LLcN97rQMMp1Rj3O_7SYY/s1600/Leocowboy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXo9AKfPoAVujGpkUY2zSeZU-41pOWEiTzVKVW7apN86Aj_1KqtLvKPK97-dHaHc7jXsAy2-P4cw_GYPUjv3Osl5vRqRE5Mxg5CgLZDLj7eSLv6i1KyEpbH4LLcN97rQMMp1Rj3O_7SYY/s320/Leocowboy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563823285220591570" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS ARE <span style="font-style:italic;">The Game<span style="font-style:italic;"> and</span> In Due Season. </span> TO BE IN THE DRAW for our next giveaways, POST A COMMENT. For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters, email Wendy Sargeant at aussiewriters (at) gmail (dot) com (without the spaces), but before you do, be sure and post a comment.<br /><br /> It's hard to belief that floods in Brazil have affected our weather patterns in Australia, but a great lesson for us all about how connected we all are. Extreme whether conditions such as Cyclone Yasi, the Brisbane Floods, the US snow storms and Brazilian floods are just the beginning of what is to come, if we don't act now, according to leading government expert, Ross Garnaut.<a href="http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/climate-risk-to-worsen-says-adviser/story-e6freoof-1225999791393"></a> (http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/climate-risk-to-worsen-says-adviser/story-e6freoof-1225999791393.)<br /><br />When God created the garden of Eden it was perfect. Man chose to sully the planet when we first picked the forbidden apple.<br />From then it has been a story of massive accumulation of goods at the expense of Mother Earth and the planet has continually rebelled.<br /><br />Now we have to learn to get back to a simpler lifestyle to protect the planet. For many, this rebuilding of a life after flood is a time to reflect on living with less clutter. The average woman has $100 worth of clothes in her wardrobe that she will never use!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">There are things you can do to help prevent the global warming that scientists say creates bizarre weather patterns. </span><br /><br />• Don’t leave the water running when you brush teeth.<br />• Use the environmentally friendly toothbrush. (<a href="http://www.ecomanifesto.com.au/index.php?cat">Monumental Dental</a>)<br />cat=2&subsubcat=0&subcat=32&page=product_detail&product_id=307)<br />• Eat one meat meal less per week (Cuts down ¼ tonne of emissions a year.)<br />• Have 2 minute showers (Saves 1 tonne of emissions a year.)<br />• Walk more often instead of driving, e.g. to the corner store.<br />• Always repair leaking toilets, showerheads, taps immediately.<br />• Switch computers, lights, fans off when not in use.<br />• Swap regular light bulbs for energy saving bulbs.<br />• Organize a clothes swap with your organization at <a href="http://www.wendyworkshops.com/index.php?p=1_4_Humorous-Inspirational-for-Women">wendyworkshops.com</a> where you can learn to convert recycled clothes to your individual wardrobe.<br />Buy clothes at <a href="http://www.endeavour.com.au">Endeavour</a>.They offer all brand name clothes. <br />• Look out for tencel fabric, otherwise known as lyocell. Here is the info on this product… <a href="http://planetgreen.discovery.com/fashion-beauty/green-glossary-lycocell.html?campaign=daylife-article"></a><br />• Plant a vegetable garden<br />• Recycle all household goods—food scraps in a compost, paper products with the council, printer cartridges, batteries with the council<br />• Join organisations like <a href="http://onemillionwomen.com.au">onemillionwomen.com.au</a> to learn more about saving energy.)<br /><br />It has been heartening to see the flood relief effort going on in my home area in the Redlands. Donations have been pouring in to 91 Redland Bay Road where the council has set up a flood relief outlet. If you live in the area, more workers are needed each day this week to sort and pack donations which will supply the Brisbane families affected.If you are flood affected, spend a few hours respite in the Redlands with the amazing spiritual view of history by Leo Herreygers. This serene environment offers respite over a cup of coffee. The exhibition at the Grandview Hotel, Cleveland has extended to 22nd January. The painting on this blog is Leo's.<br /><br />Blessings,<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Wendy</span><br /><a href="http://www.wendysargeant.blogspot.com"></a>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-69829054017318958702011-01-09T01:11:00.000-08:002011-05-10T20:33:30.761-07:00Respite in the Redlands<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujoOgNdeDblDdNWju9QHrYeAqLv6IVrmKEiG_A-J0cNNlq9-vEF2FQaFytMBEgNrqSpQgOqptpKnTfFw76yZprJQEsuPTKxxxGSX0vOwMtD3uoOFjSEebWKH5M27Y6FuSqv3E8OD6w9oi/s1600/pub_7041.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujoOgNdeDblDdNWju9QHrYeAqLv6IVrmKEiG_A-J0cNNlq9-vEF2FQaFytMBEgNrqSpQgOqptpKnTfFw76yZprJQEsuPTKxxxGSX0vOwMtD3uoOFjSEebWKH5M27Y6FuSqv3E8OD6w9oi/s320/pub_7041.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561456094928226626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8rvNRkDACwzx5wyL4hllumsbIDnx7zZLUknJ8Fm8ZIIdXVQVmZPi1zJcnlXxvHete7ZLjLbilQy84BG50vDFdj2AUf2BwRe1LebU7eARRrwoOA7F3e9w8pLC1oEYNd9P80uiOia0C16V/s1600/LeoH2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8rvNRkDACwzx5wyL4hllumsbIDnx7zZLUknJ8Fm8ZIIdXVQVmZPi1zJcnlXxvHete7ZLjLbilQy84BG50vDFdj2AUf2BwRe1LebU7eARRrwoOA7F3e9w8pLC1oEYNd9P80uiOia0C16V/s320/LeoH2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561398005646954610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8RFf4DqcxqqGxdXgY4m4z4zvhASTHzgXWdNmdmKyaxS6mG9xkTsDjGllCcYxjygAdrRPpn_76ypT9uqHBHSBippVS5lEXMUqyLHOTaY6fzWne3hvRrMFxwKVIdQSwStuNmtwD-9KUYBt/s1600/LeoH1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8RFf4DqcxqqGxdXgY4m4z4zvhASTHzgXWdNmdmKyaxS6mG9xkTsDjGllCcYxjygAdrRPpn_76ypT9uqHBHSBippVS5lEXMUqyLHOTaY6fzWne3hvRrMFxwKVIdQSwStuNmtwD-9KUYBt/s320/LeoH1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561397861062071298" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS are <span style="font-style:italic;">In Due Season </span>and <span style="font-style:italic;">The Game</span>. TO BE IN THE DRAW for our next giveaways, POST A COMMENT. For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters, email Wendy Sargeant at aussiewriters (at) gmail (dot) com (without the spaces), but before you do, be sure and post a comment.<br /><br /> <br />If you are experiencing floods our heart goes out to you. If you live near the Redlands and want a few hours respite, the next few days offers an amazing treat for the writer and art lover. The 1850’s converted home--once the Brighton Hotel, now the Grand View—houses an inspirational tour through time with the art works of Leo Herreygers. <br />You can sit in the upstairs sunroom and lounge, soaking up the old world ambience with a coffee and see Leo’s extraordinary surrealist spiritual tour of world history all around you. This is a free tour. Don't miss out on a chance to see the scene painter for Expo 88, QPAC, The Queensland Theatre Company, the Myer Christmas Windows, the Rocky Horror Show, The Twelfth Night Theatre, The Queensland Youth Ballet, Suncorp Theatre, to name a few.<br /><br />Leo answered a few questions for us here:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What inspires you to paint?</span><br /><br />I can get inspired by the smallest thing like a piece of rag hanging from a wire...but mainly i get inspired by historical events and human reactions to those events.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What do you find is your biggest struggle as an artist?</span><br /><br />Recognition, and the battle with minimalist contemporary decorative art.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />What are the themes running through your work?</span><br /><br />History, religion and personal views.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />How do you do your work and what medium do you use?</span><br /><br />I have an easel that my father made for me[he was a fine artist] and i paint onto anything from board to canvas and use acrylic, oil and enamel paints on their own or combined.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tell us about your favorite piece.</span><br /><br />As I finish a new piece it becomes my favorite for the time being but from all my work I think' Gabriel' has the greater message, equality—which is something I believe in greatly--and our connection with the almighty.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">You can contact Leo at http://www.artunlimited.com.au/</span><br />Wendy<br /><a href="http://www.wendysargeant.blogspot.com"></a>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-14603638113987470212010-12-15T21:16:00.001-08:002011-01-06T19:06:15.579-08:00In Due Season--Valerie Volks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLS4Exrwk-2BzwyuhrUoR6xH35o9l9qnjeN6QgD2j6F6ktaI00bVshep9rAthS5zpoP5RggFj38FIOFGSEPLgA5mHKOvIjhB1rqJw2jJiqjmTyP3qf8gzae1cLctZifIc3FY2nDQRvHv8/s1600/ValerieBook.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLS4Exrwk-2BzwyuhrUoR6xH35o9l9qnjeN6QgD2j6F6ktaI00bVshep9rAthS5zpoP5RggFj38FIOFGSEPLgA5mHKOvIjhB1rqJw2jJiqjmTyP3qf8gzae1cLctZifIc3FY2nDQRvHv8/s320/ValerieBook.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552224488204164514"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuIzEjJ_nISMoJgyIYTA82UBwrPgamB4XL35ft9Km4p6cg4Tlsju8tTCUdPnfyBVXD66zKObot_RrLQbSRDzEzWia-Im5HuE9MkxuiomeWJBspS-AC0pesLPDWiVXtt84-qRudWmYR0WU/s1600/V+PR+photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 176px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuIzEjJ_nISMoJgyIYTA82UBwrPgamB4XL35ft9Km4p6cg4Tlsju8tTCUdPnfyBVXD66zKObot_RrLQbSRDzEzWia-Im5HuE9MkxuiomeWJBspS-AC0pesLPDWiVXtt84-qRudWmYR0WU/s320/V+PR+photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552224353073993746"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Check out our news page and find out what can be done to prevent imminent closure of Queensland first Christian Liberal Arts College.</span><br /><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS are <font style="font-style:italic;">The Game</font> and <font style="font-style:italic;">As Black from White</font> and now <font style="font-style:italic;">In Due Season.</font><br /><br />THE WINNERS are Paul Clark of the Burdekin and Crystal Mary of Gympie.<br /><br />TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT. For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters, email Wendy Sargeant at aussiewriters (at) gmail (dot) com (without the spaces), but before you do, be sure and post a comment.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Valerie Volks is the winner of the POETRY section of the CALEB prize. Valerie's story shows how good things can come from great tragedy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Valerie, you've said that writing became your coping strategy, a way of dealing with the experiences and emotions that the passing months of your husband's terminal illness brought. Can you elaborate on this, Valerie?</span><br /><br />I'd started a Creative Writing Masters degree at Tabor Adelaide well before there was any thought of changes in our life's plan. My husband I had both intended to retire at the end of 2008, with years ahead for him to paint and me to write—both of these were long-deferred ambitions. When he was diagnosed with cancer, I wrote the first poem, Tenebrae, that became part of the later book; it was part of my current unit on Poetry. I found immediately that writing gave me a sense of coping, of managing the emotions I was feeling.<br /><br />I did not expect, at that stage, that the year would turn into one of almost constant hospitalisation for Noel, and a growing realisation that we would not be sharing our planned retirement; instead that he would be dead nine months after diagnosis. All year as the clouds darkened and the shadows lengthened, I kept writing poetry. It helped. After his death so much of my grieving was poured into the poems that I continued to write. That enabled me to distance myself, and to cope with the intensity of feeling. It was indeed, I would say, a coping strategy.<br /><br />I'd written the poems entirely for myself, with no intention to circulate them at all. So when, through my course work, Pantaenus Press said they had read them and thought they should be published, I really hesitated. Their argument, that it might help others because it articulated the experiences so many people faced, was what finally convinced me. That's actually proved to be the greatest thing for me. The book, In Due Season, has sold very well and even won awards, but far more importantly I have had the most heart-warming letters and emails from many people, who say that reading these poems has been a source of comfort and help to them in their own grieving.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Which poets have inspired you over the years?</span><br /><br />I love the 'classic' poetry—Chaucer's fascination for and perception about people, Shakespeare's breadth of vision and richness of imagery, John Donne and the sharpness of metaphysical wit. I've also been inspired by the Victorian poets— Tennyson, Browning, Arnold. I studied these in Year 12 English, and they've had a deep and permanent impact. Of modern Australian poets, Bruce Dawe has been a long-term favourite, and he's probably the poet who has had most influence on me, with his capacity to give significance to the everyday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">To quote from your website: 'The poetry is varied in both form and mood, ranging from formal and measured sonnets and rhymed poems, to the more anguished raw emotion of the free-verse poems. Throughout, there is a personal tone which makes this poetry accessible to all readers.' How do you think your free verse allowed the raw emotion more than the other poems?</span><br /><br />This really goes back to my earlier comment about the way in which formal poetry requires you to distance yourself and confine emotions within the demands of rhyme and metre. It's excellent therapy: as John Donne expressed it, it's taming of emotion, especially grief, by fettering it in verse--two interesting words that sum it up perfectly. 'Tamed' emotion is a depth of feeling that has had to be confined and managed to match the poetic form; in this way it is 'fettered' by it. A great image, because it takes us right into that wild almost animal-like quality of terrible grief, and says "Look, you really can manage this by writing; you can cope."<br /><br />The other side of the coin is therefore equally true: in free verse one is expressing the 'untamed' emotions; that's why it seems more raw. The anguish is not greater; it just comes through in a less managed way.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">It is notoriously difficult to publish poetry. The connection with Pantaenus Press through the Masters course was a great opportunity. Describe your journey to publication.</span><br /><br />It was so reassuring to be approached by Pantaenus Press with the idea of publication. They had offered to produce a simple print version, but because I wanted to produce something that my husband, a keen artist and a first-rate magazine editor and producer, would have been pleased with, I decided to invest some of own money in the publication and create more of an 'art-book'. The photographs and pictures add a depth to the experience of the poems.<br /><br />The publishers were happy to have this arrangement and I felt that Noel would have liked the book, which is very much a tribute to him and a celebration of a long and happy marriage. It's sub-titled Poems of love and loss and this is accurate. They are love poems as well as grieving poems.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Many poets now are choosing performance as a way to publicize. Is this something you could find yourself doing, or does the vocalizing of those emotions cause too much pain?</span><br /><br />I've actually grown used to it. Somehow I seem to get a lot of public speaking engagements, particularly to talk about writing as therapy. I often read from the book, and it's oddly comforting. There's something about re-visiting very special times and a very special happiness, because in an ironic way to have shared a loved one's dying is one of the most intimate experiences you can ever have.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">When did you start writing poetry? Was it purely a reaction to your grief?</span><br /><br />No, I've always written - and for most of my life poetry. In my late teens I wrote two verse dramas, and in all the intervening years in times of very strong emotions I've found myself writing poems. But for many decades I've been too busy living to write very much. Now I seem to be re-defining myself at this stage of life as a writer. Winning the CALEB Prize for Poetry was a particular joy—a real reassurance that others could see some merit in my writing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Have you written in other genres?</span><br /><br />Over the decades I've written many short stories, and several novels—all, sadly (but understandably!), unpublished. Now I'm writing much more successfully, but particularly in verse. I have a verse novel <span style="font-style:italic;">A Promise of Peache</span>s about to be published in the next few months, and I'm well along the way with a third book, another verse novel.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tell us about some of your poems—their significance to you.</span><br /><br />The last ones in the book are particularly significant: they recapture so much of our lives together. At Melbourne University is a nostalgic looking back at our youth, while the title poem <span style="font-style:italic;">In Due Season</span> is really an overview, set against the background of Vivaldi's <span style="font-style:italic;">Four Season</span>s, of the four seasons of our lives. They're a celebration. The last poem in the book, Epilogue, is for me a final statement. When the man says, as we fail to get the complete solution to the hard crossword, "Tomorrow we'll see what it was", I guess this is really my statement of faith: one day all the questions in life will be answered for us also.<br /><br />Thanks, Valerie.<br /><br />Blessings,<br /><br />WendyWendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-58357076573294696202010-12-11T17:38:00.000-08:002010-12-16T22:43:07.820-08:00As Black from White by Sally Graham<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx2xKBKjhiorFHZXghLlUVwkr9PC7BAbWgofUSOPHM3MDKJgDJBOC5hnS_hxKd6sOIUGt2a8nsuzvt0nUatHRfWarZ3mxJoeHylfHeOQlhKgP2T2LRpKbzJadZuysTS1jU1jWt1CNS1Nj/s1600/105.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx2xKBKjhiorFHZXghLlUVwkr9PC7BAbWgofUSOPHM3MDKJgDJBOC5hnS_hxKd6sOIUGt2a8nsuzvt0nUatHRfWarZ3mxJoeHylfHeOQlhKgP2T2LRpKbzJadZuysTS1jU1jWt1CNS1Nj/s320/105.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549635904515843874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DJD3Cg5Gsz3kuYav8bBOIcWTKkODYBEon8WjyDeh_6waMtzypdYsyc048FZ208krbsWh3TdfZJX3XTVxxqowvRg-6D7GKmhEr5CNDVZvvDQt8vIbnEFzV9JR9Se0v5ad_YkK09wNf07T/s1600/cover+jpg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DJD3Cg5Gsz3kuYav8bBOIcWTKkODYBEon8WjyDeh_6waMtzypdYsyc048FZ208krbsWh3TdfZJX3XTVxxqowvRg-6D7GKmhEr5CNDVZvvDQt8vIbnEFzV9JR9Se0v5ad_YkK09wNf07T/s320/cover+jpg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549632732268203330" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS ARE <span style="font-style:italic;">The Game</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">As Black from White.</span> TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT. For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters, email Wendy Sargeant at aussiewriters (at) gmail (dot) com (without the spaces), but before you do, be sure and post a comment.<br /><br />Sally Graham and her husband Dave won the non-fiction section of the CALEB award for 2010 for <span style="font-style:italic;">As Black from White</span> with Sally as writer and Dave as editor. Sally’s remarkable story of conversion from an international drug dealer intent on murder to a Christian is told here. Sally, what a story!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">At what point did you decide you would have to write this story down?</span><br /><br />I have been a Christian now for 15 years and had shared my story at testimony nights and the like but after marrying Dave, God began to speak to us about writing a book. On a leadership camp I promised God that if three people said I should write a book during our weekend away I would. By the end of the first night it was decided.<br /><br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How did your family and friends react when you made it public?</span><br /><br />Once Dave and I had the final draft in our hands we did a final check before God that this was the thing to do. My story is quite confronting and we did need to check some legal aspects before our publisher would agree to handle it.<br />Our families have been surprisingly supportive and encouraging. They are very proud of the book and its ability to bring hope to others.<br /><br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What are you passionate about?</span><br /><br />My passion is to communicate the love of Christ to others and that they might know that no situation is beyond the touch of Jesus. God does not have a "too hard basket".<br />I pray that many will come to know God through our lives and understand that not only are they called but also planned and purposed. God has gifted everyone with a purpose.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What do you find is your biggest struggle as an author and how do you overcome it?</span><br /><br />It took three years to write <span style="font-style:italic;">As Black from White</span>. It was very cathartic and involved a lot of prayer for God’s guidance. I needed Him to stretch me to include some things I did not want to share publicly , but God reminded me that he would use those things to set others free.<br />Just sitting down and writing at all was tough at times, but I had a lovely prayerful friend who over those three years would gently inquire "How’s the book going, Sal?" Her encouragement helped me finish.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Do you ever experience self doubt?</span><br /><br />Self doubt is part of the human condition. I think I have learnt to keep going anyway. Make the big decisions when you are in a good place and stick to them no matter what your feeling at those times of doubt. If you need to revise, do it when you are feeling good and share your thoughts with someone else who can give an outward perspective. Self doubt doesn’t go away but I have learnt to see it for what it is. The more I have pressed through those times the more I learn that self doubt often has no basis in reality. Get inspiration and guidance from those who are doing it well in your area. <br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />What are the themes running through your work?</span><br /><br />As a counsellor , I have always loved to watch people .<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">As Black from White</span> is my autobiography but I am working on another book of testimonies and a second book about recovery and the Christian journey.<br />My style is raw, gritty and honest. I like to peel back the layers and get real about our humanity.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Can you recommend other biographies that have inspired you?</span><br /><br />Samantha Jackel tells her story passionatly and honestly in <span style="font-style:italic;">My Purple Pants.</span><br />Bronwen Healy's self published work <span style="font-style:italic;">Trophy of Grace</span> encouraged me to see self publishing as a viable option.<br />Both are modern day stories of God’s healing and restoration in Australia today!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tell us something about the book.</span><br /><br />"As Black from White " is the story of Gods Damascus road intervention in my life as I set out one day intent on committing murder.<br />Life with Jesus has transformed my world from international drug dealer to Christian counsellor ,now working for Prison Fellowship here in South Australia.<br />The book outlines the dark past of my life and how we walked through the darkness into his light.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Where can we buy it?</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">As Black from White</span> can be ordered online at<br />www.asblackfromwhite.com.au<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thanks for telling your remarkable story:-)</span><br /><br />WendyWendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-26893629646384361142010-11-26T16:36:00.000-08:002010-12-11T19:36:21.457-08:00The Game--Inspirational Historical Romance award winner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFoA9JSsM4n4rJxVIuZB4C6ICoNq14LPQTNIe57YNif3Pm51GzF6LoJwccqZjKXIKA3Re3BhCoTjBtyp8qgPmxcqoMSLqLQEsf1LvyOuXicazR8HVK9Qh5NjHqEpN8bx-0cOhK5dey0SI/s1600/TheGameCOVERsmall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFoA9JSsM4n4rJxVIuZB4C6ICoNq14LPQTNIe57YNif3Pm51GzF6LoJwccqZjKXIKA3Re3BhCoTjBtyp8qgPmxcqoMSLqLQEsf1LvyOuXicazR8HVK9Qh5NjHqEpN8bx-0cOhK5dey0SI/s320/TheGameCOVERsmall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544024174913744738" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAY IS <span style="font-style:italic;"> The Game</span> by award-winning Amanda Deed. TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT. For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters, email Wendy Sargeant at aussiewriters (at) gmail (dot) com (without the spaces), but before you do, be sure and post a comment.<br /><br />Amanda won the fiction category of the new CALEB Inspirational Award. Congratulations, Amanda! I loved editing your book and share in your thrill at the award!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What got you into historical fiction as a genre?</span><br /><br />I have always loved this genre. I find it fascinating to learn about history at the same time as being entertained by a storyline.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /> What did you do previously that was grist for your mill as a writer?</span><br /><br />I always loved making up stories as a child. I have read hundreds of books over the years, and as an adult, particularly historical romance. That naturally led to wanting to write that kind of story.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How did you go about your research?</span><br /><br />Some research I did online, but it is not always reliable. I borrowed library books on Australian architecture, horses, fashion history, Sydney history and social history. I researched information on church history in Australia. I also went to a few historical places to get a feel for them. There are so many aspects of life I needed to be sure of!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How do you see the Australian publishing industry now?</span><br /><br />To be honest, I don't know a lot about the Australian publishing industry. Unlike many other authors I did not spend years and years submitting manuscripts, which probably would give a great deal of learning. So, I feel like a newbie and as such I am just learning what is 'out there'. I am very grateful for the opportunity I have been given, however, and I am sure other authors would find the same opportunities.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Amanda, your story is somewhat unique. But then <span style="font-style:italic;">The Game</span> is a unique novel.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Do you have any tips for historical fiction writers?</span><br /><br />Read. Read history books and learn your period well. Read journals and letters written by real people who lived in that time. Read other novels set in that period too, which give you a good feel for the setting. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Are there any programs or events you would recommend to budding authors?</span><br /><br />Go to writers conferences. There is so much to be learned by others with more experience. Join a writers' group like FaithWriters, where you can hone your craft and have others critique your work.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What would you say is the most important message to help a new writer gain publication?</span><br /><br />Firstly, work hard on improving your craft. Get lots of feedback on your work, and not just from family and friends. Then it is a matter of being persistent and not giving up. A rejection letter does not mean the end.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What are the themes running through your work?</span><br /><br />I love to show the grace of God at work through my writing. And romance...I am a sucker for a good romance.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tell us something about <span style="font-style:italic;">The Game.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Game<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> is an historical romance set in the 1840s in the Sydney/Paramatta area. My leading man, Jack Fordham, thinks that love is a game. Unfortunately he has to learn that it is not a game—the hard way. Many readers have told me how they have fallen for this loveable rogue--that's the kind of guy he is. But, the woman he has his eye on will not have a bar of him because he doesn't share her faith. Poor Jack! You will have to read <span style="font-style:italic;">The Game</span> to see how his story unravels and whether he gets the girl in the end or not.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thanks, Amanda. We look forward to the next book!<br /><br />Amanda's book is available through Arkhouse Press at http://www.arkhousepress.com/shop/arkhouseau/shop-search.php<br /><br />Wendy</span>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-20922844156505254012010-11-08T02:28:00.000-08:002010-12-07T16:22:08.815-08:00WORD WRITERS FAIR, CALEB AWARD<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraByCSnSdDYyjsZtMwt0e-zawoasQyeayaluf1tNLArYs-wIfisnaGyjHrxN2wbe9vi8-POJLE6KcDENei65Sz8c2BjE2OhIxepLJIyIRm-1kwknHKx7IjiR-XPWKbz1xsvWCmp66aR8I/s1600/mary7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraByCSnSdDYyjsZtMwt0e-zawoasQyeayaluf1tNLArYs-wIfisnaGyjHrxN2wbe9vi8-POJLE6KcDENei65Sz8c2BjE2OhIxepLJIyIRm-1kwknHKx7IjiR-XPWKbz1xsvWCmp66aR8I/s320/mary7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548100113477702482" /></a><br />The winners for the <font style="font-weight:bold;">inaugural CALEB prize</font> for Australasian inspirational will be announced shortly here:-<br /><br />http://www.omegawriters.com/calebprize.html<br /><br />We will be interviewing one of the winners, so keep posting comments for your chance to WIN A FREE COPY of <font style="font-style:italic;">The Game</font> by Amanda Deed, WINNER of the FICTION category, coming up next.<br /><br />The <font style="font-weight:bold;">Word Writers Fair</font> was packed with interesting seminars, loads of great books to ferret through and plenty of sparkling conversation.<br /><br />http://www.thewordwriters.com/authors.html<br /><br />There was a look at <span style="font-weight:bold;">self publishing</span> by well-known authors Meredith Resce, Jeff Townsend and a new author, Liz Curtis. Anne Hamilton gave a fascinating look at f<span style="font-weight:bold;">antasy publishing</span>. Mary Hawkins led us through the mysteries of <span style="font-weight:bold;">romance writing</span>. Paul Clark gave a witty rendition of <span style="font-weight:bold;">writing for children</span>, Janet Camilleri and Nola Passmore showed and insider’s view into <span style="font-weight:bold;">writing for magazine</span>s, Coralie Buchanan spoke on writing <span style="font-weight:bold;">non-fiction</span>, Kerry Townsend covered <span style="font-weight:bold;">time-managemen</span>t and Jo-Anne Berthelson <span style="font-weight:bold;">helped all stay focuse</span>d. Aleesah Darlison surprised everyone with the ins and outs of <span style="font-weight:bold;">marketing books</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manuscripts were assessed</span> by Jeff Townsend, Deb Porter and myself and I for one felt privileged to get a sneak peak into some great emerging talent.<br />Deb also gave an insight into the workings of <span style="font-weight:bold;">digital books</span> which will be on every Queensland school desk soon with the advent of the IPAD for schools.<br /><br />Rochelle Manners gave an <span style="font-weight:bold;">overview of the Australian publishing scene</span>. Two of Rochelle’s company’s authors were represented in the awards—Andrew Landsdowne and Paula Vince, both finalists. HSM were also represented with Rosie Boom and the Psalmscapes team. Well done on both scores.Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-40835903296073462892010-10-27T20:13:00.000-07:002010-10-27T20:17:45.426-07:00CALEB Inspirational Book Award WinnersCALEB BOOK AWARDS 2010<br />The winners of the CALEB inspirational book awards for 2010 can be found here…<br />http://www.omegawriters.com/calebprize.html<br />To be in the draw to WIN a CALEB award book, post a comment below.<br />To meet the authors, be at the Word Writers Fair November 6th, 9am, Bayside Christian Church, Eureka Centre, 29 Moreton Bay Rd, CAPALABA.<br /><br />THE WINNER of the Book of the Month this month is Robynne Milne.<br /><br />Caleb Prize Finalists<br />CALEB CHILDREN’S BOOK 2010 <br />Author Title Publisher <br />Rosie Boom Where Lions Roar at Night HSM <br />Andrew McDonough Dave the Donkey Lost Sheep <br />Penny Reeve Water or Goo Christian Focus <br /><br />CALEB POETRY BOOK 2010 <br />Author Title Publisher <br />Valerie Volk In Due Season Pantaenus <br />Andrew Lansdown Birds in Mind Wombat <br />Janette Fernando/Jean Sietzema-Dickson (ed) Reflecting on Melbourne Poetica Christi <br /> <br />CALEB FICTION BOOK 2010 <br />Author Title Publisher <br />Mary Hawkins Return to Baragula Ark House <br />Meredith Resce For All Time HSM <br />Amanda Deed The Game Ark House <br />Paula Vince Picking Up the Pieces Even Before<br /><br />CALEB NON FICTION (Biography/Memoir) 2010 <br />Author Title Publisher <br />Sally Graham As Black from White Seaview <br />Edmond Smith The Silver Poplar Ark House <br />Samantha Jackel My Purple Pants Ark House<br /><br />CALEB NON FICTION BOOK 2010 <br />Author Title Publisher <br />Mark Durie The Third Choice Deror<br />Matthew Jacoby/Mal Austin Psalmscapes HSM <br />Keitha Smith & Susan Brereton Mothering Heights Judson<br />Renee Bennett Broken Wing Butterfly Private <br /><br />A Reviewers’ Choice Award will also be made at the Awards Dinner. <br />The reviewers are completely independent of the judges and their choices may diverge considerably because of different emphases.Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-88992597401274717482010-09-02T22:00:00.000-07:002010-09-02T22:14:51.565-07:00CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL HONOUR BOOK, Potato Music and author Christina Booth<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipijJU97eOJdwOZuWp6F3xZm80YKYrvSqj93_C4xA17jfol7aYLrLED7QuYXb4hexeuEx43dV-XPEOUSXFy_vsE_hCpKF5oGhq7fxyEQchJXduBykJQj8V9mDCHbteoOSvm8TCgHhMeSRw/s1600/picrurebook.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512551338157639890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipijJU97eOJdwOZuWp6F3xZm80YKYrvSqj93_C4xA17jfol7aYLrLED7QuYXb4hexeuEx43dV-XPEOUSXFy_vsE_hCpKF5oGhq7fxyEQchJXduBykJQj8V9mDCHbteoOSvm8TCgHhMeSRw/s320/picrurebook.jpg" /></a><br /><div>THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS are <em>Purinina, The Monster that Ate Canberra </em>and <em>As the Eagle, Flies the King.</em> TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT. For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters, post a comment and click follow.<br /><br /><br />Check out our NEW BLOG AWARD under BLOGS OF NOTE on the next page. We now also have a NEWS page. Learn about the Faithwriters Conference coming soon and the new website of opportunities for the faith community. CLICK on the News icon on the left of this page.<br /><br />Our interviewee of the month is Christina Booth. Christina has just been awarded the Children’s Book Council Honour Book Award for the Picture Book category—a wonderful accolade. Christina’s interview shows how important mentors are. Welcome, Christina...<br /><br /><strong>Our readers want books that reflect family values. Which books of yours are strong in that area?</strong><br /><br />I have a strong belief that we are caretakers of this world and its creatures and the environment—that we should do the best we can to care for each other as we undertake that roll. Each of my books reflects these ideals as each story I have written has been based in my own experiences and outlook. <em>Purinina, A Devil’s Tale </em>(Lothian/Hachette, 2007) was written to demonstrate hope that the Tasmanian Devil would continue to survive. <em>Kip </em>(Windy Hollow Books, 2009) is based on the story of our pet rooster.<em> Potato Music </em>(Illustrated by Pete Groves, Omnibus, 2010), is about a child’s perspective of the hardships of war.<br /><br /><strong>Tell us a little about this book or if you have more, tell us about each.</strong><br /><br /><em>Potato Music</em> is a story that is based in family and how they overcome hardship together. It is inspired by a true story about my Opa (Grandfather) that happened during the Second World War in Holland, 1944. It is told through the eyes of a young child—how her family binds itself together with love, hope and music. When the darkness of war comes and the family begins to suffer from hardship and hunger they overcome through being together and the music that lights up their world. Then the music is gone and the child does not understand. They have food to eat and full bellies but the one thing that couldn’t be taken away was gone. Until her parents show her that it is inside their hearts and that, through hope and dreams life can go on and the family can survive.<br /><br /><strong>Tell us about your journey to becoming an author. What dips and glides did you have along the way?</strong><br /><br />I had always dreamed of having my name on the cover of a book. As a young child I was a book hugger rather than a teddy bear hugger and learnt to read at an early age. I have always loved where books could take you and how they made you feel. I was very good at art—my best subject at school and so aspired to being an illustrator. I studied fine arts and teaching and became a specialist art teacher to ‘support my habit’ and painted abstract landscapes (still do!) until my first child was born (1991) when I once again became immersed in children’s books. I decided to try my hand at illustrating—pre internet etc.—and from Tasmania found it very hard to obtain information about how to go about it.<br /><br />In 2000 I met through a relief teaching post a wonderful lady embarking on a publishing career looking for an illustrator for her poetry book series. Little did I know when I handed in my sample illustrations to be approved by the author, Bill Scott, that they would be handed to Colin Thiele, Bill’s neighbour, for a second opinion. I started illustrating the poetry book series and at Colin’s request, his was the second book I illustrated (I danced a wild dance around my kitchen when I found out about that book! He was one of my favourite authors as a child). So here was I—unknown educational illustrator, sitting on my lounge room floor at a tiny coffee table with a baby on my knee, illustrating for the greats: Colin Thiele, Max Fatchen, Christobel Mattingley. This was a wonderful way to get my foot through the back door of children’s publishing. At this stage I had not considered writing, just illustrating.<br /><br />I found myself attending a writers/illustrators weekend retreat at the Tye Estate. We were as illustrators, asked to bring samples of writing we had and the writers were going to draw. I’m not sure who was the most nervous! I had some sample bits and pieces that I had written for my children so I tentatively took them along and had them assessed.<br /><br /><em>Potato Music</em> received a number of thoughtful rejections stating its potential but it seemed destined to the bottom drawer where many first manuscripts are doomed to die. Almost a year after the first Tye weekend, I wrote <em>Purinina</em>, <em>A Devil’s Tale</em>. It seemed to flow so much easier than anything else I had written. I didn’t send it away but after a second visit to Tye, decided that door knocking publishers in person was the way to go so I hopped on a plane to Melbourne with very pink hair so they would remember me and visited a number of publishers with my portfolio in hand. As many publishers wouldn’t consider a manuscript unless it was solicited, I tucked a few inside with my illustrations to ‘show I could illustrate to text’.<br /><br />I visited Helen Chamberlain at Lothian Books who sat and read my manuscripts. I decided there and then that I had just made the biggest fool of myself and that in future I would post them so I wouldn’t be present while they read my work. Thankfully she loved <em>Purinina</em> and this resulted in my first contract as both author and illustrator of a picture book. My dreams were coming true and now, one year after deciding to write, I was to be published.<br /><br />I have now illustrated over 12 books for children and had three of my own picture books published. My latest, <em>Potato Music</em>, was re-visited a couple of years after discarding it to that drawer and with the help of a great publisher, we pulled it into a book worth publishing. This journey was to become different to the others, with another illustrator bringing the story together. This was difficult at first but I have learnt a lot from the process and it has helped me considerably as an illustrator for other writers. Since 2000, when I embarked on my career as an illustrator, I have now been a part of producing 13 books, have received the wonderful honour of receiving a notable book award (2008) as well as an honour book in the latest, 2010 CBCA Awards. It has had many highs and a few lows but it has certainly been an adventure that will continue....<br /><br /><strong>What are the themes running through your work?</strong><br /><br />I suppose, without any fore planning, the theme of hope keeps occurring. Without hope I don’t think life is too worthwhile. For <em>Purinina</em> it was the hope that the Tasmanian Devil will survive humanity, with <em>Kip</em> it is that not so much hope but considering others, and with <em>Potato Music,</em> the message of having hope and keeping your dreams alive despite adversity is very strong.<br /><br /><strong>Tell us something about your latest book.</strong><br /><br />As my latest book is <em>Potato Music</em> I have pretty much covered that. However, after saying one must never apologise for your work, I will add this. When I read this story to my Grandfather at his 90th birthday in Holland (the book is dedicated to him) I cried, understandably. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. However, I didn’t realise that 99% of those who read it for the first time—including a lot of grown men would also weep. It needs a tissue box warning on the cover. Sorry about that. It is a happy-ending story: it is not sad, but emotional. Kids don’t seem to mind. I am receiving letters that say that Mum or Dad cried but the kids went into a deep reflection of the story and that it evoked a discussion, even with very young children. An outcome I had never anticipated. A good example of how, once you have written your story, it takes on a life of its own, much like our children do. I received a note the other day from a mum who had just read the story to her four year old. She asked her daughter through her tears if it was a sad story or a happy story. The four year old replied “It’s a bit sad but not if we have dancing at the end”. This is what makes writing for children so worthwhile.</div>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-48088685981499424222010-08-22T14:59:00.000-07:002010-08-22T15:16:56.336-07:00Children's Book Week Interviewee, Alexander Bunyip Creator--Michael Salmon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjCxHqua9Pai2abfs4nCTuWstN1nT6sGUhRhByl5LTuXaViyIAm99gZoXejdLNqs0A6vakgdCuXPiAzf2TueAg7JUMMIAJydYg9ljThaF_k1CV_8POQ6AIc4dcah157sEgAfiirTlH_bC/s1600/MS+2009+Harrison+PS,+ACT.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508360444099434194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjCxHqua9Pai2abfs4nCTuWstN1nT6sGUhRhByl5LTuXaViyIAm99gZoXejdLNqs0A6vakgdCuXPiAzf2TueAg7JUMMIAJydYg9ljThaF_k1CV_8POQ6AIc4dcah157sEgAfiirTlH_bC/s320/MS+2009+Harrison+PS,+ACT.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uioLbAPLEPgdqn_1GHCaWTE1z8hJQH1dUTB4Lm8RGdbMik0vAXOYnePVVWdheZaKZ3ydgMAgWdoeAvRG5ud8jq9HNXUMeyXuezs6E2zA5xRfuZGqH8BIgR1OCeys4IGgdWcIHBRVlRYk/s1600/MTAC+Cover+SMALL.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 249px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508360003696360370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uioLbAPLEPgdqn_1GHCaWTE1z8hJQH1dUTB4Lm8RGdbMik0vAXOYnePVVWdheZaKZ3ydgMAgWdoeAvRG5ud8jq9HNXUMeyXuezs6E2zA5xRfuZGqH8BIgR1OCeys4IGgdWcIHBRVlRYk/s320/MTAC+Cover+SMALL.jpg" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS are <em>The Monster that Ate Canberra and The Giving Field. </em>TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT and <em>click follow</em>. For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters, do likewise.<br /><br />This is Children’s Book Week in Australia. The winners of this prestigious award have been announced and can be seen here:- <a href="http://cbca.org.au/cbca_winners_2010.htm"></a>Next week we’ll be interviewing one of the place holders, Christina Booth.<br /><br />This week we have an icon in the children’s book industry in Australia. Creator of the first modern Aussie children’s television character to become a national symbol—Alexander Bunyip—is artist and writer, Michael Salmon. Welcome, Michael…<br /><br />Your story is inspirational as one of the first Aussie picture book artists to have a television series. Can you tell us how this came about as well as your journey to becoming a picture book author. What dips and glides did you have along the way? Do you write your own text? Tell us about the character Alexander Bunyip.<br /><br />I started ‘the career’ at 18, the early days (1967/68) of vaguely making a living from drawing cartoons, painting, exhibiting art works. I then joined the famous ‘Tintookies’ Marionette Troupe (part of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, Sydney: little brother company to the Australian Ballet, Australian Opera) as a trainee stage manager/designer. Loved every moment of this immersion in children’s theatre and decided that entertaining young people was for me!<br /><br />In 1972 whilst living in Canberra, I decided to self-publish ‘a book’ (no thoughts of offering it to a publisher)—a very amateur, ‘underground’ attempt at a children’s book with very obvious, unsubtle, social comment undertones: <em>The Monster that Ate Canberra.</em> I wrote and illustrated it and had it printed locally, then drove around to all the ACT bookshops and newsagents, offering it for sale (to some very mixed receptions!)<br /><br />The book featured a large, hungry bunyip named Alexander who was forced to move from his polluted billabong and find a new home. This new home happened to be Lake Burley Griffin. He saw the iconic buildings dotted around the foreshores as objects of food and started eating them— much to the horror of the populace and prime minister!<br /><br />The book title became an ‘in-joke’ around the nation’s capital. ‘The Monster’ was indeed the Australian Public Service in disguise! The local ABC-TV channel saw potential in the character and forwarded it to Sydney HQ for consideration. The rest ‘is history’.<br /><br />Alexander Bunyip became an afternoon institution on national television for a decade (1978-88) in various formats. The most successful one being Alexander Bunyip’s Billabong. This featured little Aussie animal puppet characters based on the <em>Golden Press books</em>/<em>Australian Women’s Weekly </em>half page that I was producing at the time. Much merchandising ensued, lots of publicity and exposure.<br /><br />In 2004 The National Capital Authority produced an official ‘government’ version of the original book for visitors to Canberra (complete with our National Coat of Arms!) and in 2009 a bronze statue of ‘The Bunyip’ was commissioned by the PM’s chief minister & the Federal Minister for Education. It is a work now in progress and will be ‘launched’ in 2011—a tribute to the book’s role in helping one-and-a-half generations of Canberra kids to read. The statue will stand outside the new, ‘state-of-the-art’ public library that is currently being constructed in Gungahlin, ACT.<br /><br />How important were your live appearances and how important is it to continue to make them?<br /><br />I’ve been visiting Aussie schools since 1972 (professionally since 1975). These school visits and author signings have become a major part of my business and take up most of each year with lots of travel and laughter, as I present what are basically hourly sessions of quick sketches, stand up comedy and gentle motivation—to fully mixed age groups of primary school audiences<br /><br />Do you think things like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube are the most important thing today to gain recognition today?<br /><br />Well they certainly help— that’s for sure.<br />They have become an essential part of modern-day communication.<br />Mind you, I observe (‘out there in IT land’) that sometimes it’s hard to draw the line between what may be considered interesting information and what is wholly, over-the-top, boring, unrealistic self promotion.<br /><br />Did you have any control over the scripts on the TV show? Did you have to do any screenwriting for it? If not, how was your screenwriter chosen?<br /><br />I was involved here and there in the program ideas, but was mostly busy doing other things apart from the TV Show (new books, theatre designing etc). The ABC recreated the illustrations from my Bunyip books as the TV set.<br /><br />Can you give any tips on getting into TV animation today?<br /><br />It is one of the hardest businesses ‘to crack’ in the Entertainment Industry. ‘Contacts’ are about 95% of the game! But never give up!!<br /><br />What are the themes running through your work?<br /><br />Fun, laughter, theatrical … bright, bold illustrations, silly plot situations!<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Michael Salmon 11/08/2010<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.michaelsalmon.com.au">http://www.blogger.com/www.michaelsalmon.com.au</a><br /><br /></div>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-70072671926223330692010-08-12T21:31:00.000-07:002010-08-17T23:39:42.588-07:00TV Colour Stylist, Stephen Macquignon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vkaZexxHxCVNIQ63K5SV3r9HIbTmwSTZlOnsQnISjjhRq0U2vC-T3D2v4rHiaJOuIPbrmnyaA-ckANdUR6-TZXO-MthZ6p00tF6FDfsBh4x3ufnh5DUPxLi9BL9zQkn3K-Hp5fL9Uwhd/s1600/Stephen+Eml.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 152px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504844908613776754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vkaZexxHxCVNIQ63K5SV3r9HIbTmwSTZlOnsQnISjjhRq0U2vC-T3D2v4rHiaJOuIPbrmnyaA-ckANdUR6-TZXO-MthZ6p00tF6FDfsBh4x3ufnh5DUPxLi9BL9zQkn3K-Hp5fL9Uwhd/s320/Stephen+Eml.jpg" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">CHECK OUT OUR <b>NEWS PAGE</b> (L.H. tab) for conferences and early bird registrations happening THIS WEEK!</span></div><div><br /><div>THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS are a year of <em>Footprints</em> magazine or <em>Clues to Your Calling</em>, or <em>Decadence</em> and <em>The Last Virgin in Year Ten and As the Eagle, Flies the King</em>. TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT and click FOLLOW in the L.H. corner of the blog. For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters, do the same.<br /><br /><br /><strong>This month’s winners are Cathy and Tabitha, both from QLD.</strong> <strong>Look out for our Aussie books on international bookshelves now!<br /><br /></strong><em>Stephen Macquignon is the first of our international guests who are here to give us some insight beyond our borders. Stephen will help us unravel the mysteries of television and production for a children’s artist. An interesting thing that comes out of his story is the importance of networking. As they say, 75 percent of jobs are not advertised!</em><em> Welcome, Stephen!</em><br /><br /><strong>Your story is inspirational as an illustrator who has worked on TV. Can you tell us how this came about? </strong><br /><br />I had a friend, who had a friend, who owned an animation studio. It went something like, "I think they are looking for interns, interested?" It was my first break in the art industry. I made an appointment for an interview, took my portfolio to NYC, met with Robert Marianetti, who if my memory is correct was the Assistant Director on the very first animated show I worked on called "Santabear's High Flying Adventure." We seemed to click and we worked together on many projects after that.<br /><br /><em>So it was ‘who you know’. I’ve heard that somewhere before!</em><br /><br /><strong>There seem to be many tasks in animation. What job description did you have?</strong><br /><br />I actually had quite a few. I started out as a runner. I would go from one location to another picking up or dropping off artwork, film reels, sound effects, coffee, lunch, etc. Then, I started to work in production at Michael Sporn Animation. Remember, this was long before computers were used in animation.<br /><br />The technique we used then was called "cut paper on cell." Basically, once the drawing was completed, we would glue the drawings (characters) on to a clear piece of plastic called a cell, wait for the glue to dry, then cut the character out using an X-acto knife; you had to be careful not to cut too deep or you could cut right into the cell and would have to start all over again. Other jobs included cell cleaning, checking to make sure all the components of the scene were together, and coloring the characters. As time went on, I worked on story boards, a few back grounds and also as a color stylist. We would work from published story books or original ideas. As a color stylist, I was responsible to try and match the right color from the story book or create the color palette for an original title. Also, I was a production coordinator.<br /><br /><strong>Do you write your own text? </strong><br /><br />No. I was never involved in writing the text. My passion has always been drawing, not writing.<br /><br /><strong>How important was self marketing?</strong><br /><br />At the time, not very important. It seems to be the thing to do now, but back then, you really didn't hear much about it. It was important to go to different events to show your face, but outside of that ...<br /><br /><strong>Do you think things like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are the most important thing today to gain recognition?</strong><br /><br />No. I do have a Facebook page, but that I keep for friends and family. I also have a MySpace page for the general public to see my work. I never use Twitter. There is one YouTube post from Rena Jones, the writer of The Marshmallow Man one of the books I illustrated, but I would not depend on any of these outlets to land me a job or gain any serious recognition.<br /><br /><strong>Can you give any tips on getting into TV animation today? </strong><br /><br />It is a very hard business to get into. If you have the talent and the drive, just keep trying. From what others have told me, the industry seems to have changed a great deal since I started out—not as many animation studios where you sit together and work on a project. Now, thanks to computers, it seems that you can work more from your own home and continuously IM each other. I think being in the same room and bouncing ideas off each other is much better than sitting alone.<br /><br /><strong>Do you have to do many drafts of your work? </strong><br /><br />Yes. You should buy stock in tracing paper when I'm working on a project. I will rework an illustration many times over until I feel it is just right.<br /><br /><strong>Now you are a picture book illustrator, what are the themes running through your work?</strong><br /><br />Well, I have worked on many different themes. I worked on a story about a little girl who loves jellybeans, a story all about colours, another about a caterpillar, and another about a man made of marshmallow. My latest is a story about a little white squirrel.<br /><br /><strong>Tell us about your illustrations.</strong><br /><br />All my work is still drawn and inked by hand. I then scan it into the computer and color everything digitally.<br /><br /><em>Thanks, Stephen, for a fascinating look into the ever-changing world of production for an artist</em>.<br />See Stephen’s illustrations here: http://www.jacketflap.com/StephenM</div></div>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-47136103340370866112010-07-30T15:34:00.000-07:002010-08-03T03:25:29.166-07:00Award-Winning Rosanne Hawke<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgx1qb6Q0lcbu9BsnBSr0Y7e7XmDp32nh9plta5yMUwyIhKr_sOcdtMjhqzA_Vm1cITZ5S0vCqSBv2X3gU4moxOsPBjBl6C4E9SnE9L2NBCe1Ko1ngZB4PEQjkPa8N8l627PTnsitT-58/s1600/Roseanne+Hawk.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499832570581859778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgx1qb6Q0lcbu9BsnBSr0Y7e7XmDp32nh9plta5yMUwyIhKr_sOcdtMjhqzA_Vm1cITZ5S0vCqSBv2X3gU4moxOsPBjBl6C4E9SnE9L2NBCe1Ko1ngZB4PEQjkPa8N8l627PTnsitT-58/s320/Roseanne+Hawk.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />YOUR BLOGS PAGE AND BLOG AWARD COMING SOON...<br /><div></div><div>THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS ARE <em>The Last Virgin in Year Ten</em>, one year's subscription to <em>Footprints</em> magazine, <em>Decadence</em> or <em>Clues to Your Calling</em>. TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT and CLICK FOLLOW at the bottom LH corner. For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters, do the same and we'll look at your work.</div><br /><br /><div>Rosanne Hawke is a well known award-winning Aussie author. Her books are studied in schools and enjoyed by many. Rosanne is also a teacher at Tabor College and a true Cornish delight! Here's Rosanne...</div><br /><br /><strong>What are you passionate about?</strong><br /><br />I'm passionate about faith, family, writing, reading, love, peace between people groups, Cornish, music, issues in my books, cats of all sizes...<br /><br /><strong>What do you find is your biggest struggle as an author and how do you overcome it? </strong><br /><br />Keeping my bottom on that chair. Bryce Courtney says he uses 'glue' but I use music. I choose music that suits the manuscript content and I write to that music. Not only does this help the creative process but it also puts me straight back into the novel's setting if I've been away from home, teaching or visiting schools. A cat on the lap helps too.<br /><br /><strong>Do you ever experience self doubt?</strong><br /><br />Every time I sit down to start writing a new book I don't think I can do it.<br /><br /><em>I can’t imagine that!</em><br /><br /><strong>Do you have any tips for new writers?</strong><br /><br />1) Read a lot of good fiction and know what's in the market, even if you will not write those<br />genres, i.e. people who read a lot will be more able to tell when their own writing isn't matching up to market level, and will be more able to correct it. Even though I teach creative writing I know that students will learn even more from reading as a writer.<br />2) Get to know your character as well as your best friend. Your character will make your story.<br />3) Have some idea of what your character needs to do or know by the end of your story and you will be able to finish your story.<br />4) Be very persistent. I feel called to writing and this is what has kept me going through the hard and lean times. Persistence and determination will help us become better writers and to get our work published.<br /><br /><strong>What Australian conferences would you recommend for writers to attend to help get their names out there and learn from mentors? </strong><strong><br /></strong><br />I enjoyed the AlphaOmega conference in 2006. For children's writers it could be good for inspiration to go to the Children's Book Council conference. John Marsden runs weekend writing conferences but they sound expensive. Varuna House in the Blue Mountains offers fellowships for new writers. I found this very helpful but competition is tough now. There will be a Word Fair run by Wombat Books at Tabor Adelaide on August 21st which is like a mini conference as there will be some workshops and speakers. Tabor Adelaide is opening a Christian Writing Centre in January 2011 to further help Christian Writers in the mechanics of writing e.g. mentorships, assessments, editorial advice, workshops etc. Some pockets of this is happening in other parts of the country already e.g. Alpha to Omega, Wendy Sargeant, Dale Harcombe.<br /><br /><em>Thanks for the plug, Rosanne. Yes, I offer free tuition on individual books I assess and edit privately as well as at places like the Word Writers Fair.</em><br /><br /><strong>Are there any other programs you would recommend to budding authors?</strong><br /><br />Authors do not need study programs to be successful writers but they can certainly help. Tabor is one of the few if not the only tertiary institution in Australia that offers creative writing up to Masters level in an inspirational context. This is available online as well as internally.<br /><br /><strong>What would you say is the most important message to help a new writer gain publication? </strong><br /><br />1) If this is what God wants you to do, do not give up. Be persistent in honing your craft.<br />2) Learn to interpret rejection letters. I have heard of people who have had a promising rejection letter but didn't understand that is what it was, and were discouraged. If your work is rejected by the publisher, ask if they will see it again after you've re-written it, then re-write it and send it again.<br />3) Have a healthy attitude towards re-writing. I have seen manuscripts that authors believe are ready to go to the publisher that are in reality drafts. Re-write, re-write, re-write. Your first draft is only the tip of the iceberg. Seven-eighths of the work remains to be done.<br /><br /><strong>Tell us something about your latest book.</strong><br /><br /><em>Marrying Ameera</em> is a 14+ novel about a forced marriage in Azad Kashmir. Ameera is sent to her cousin's wedding and it takes her less than a week to realise this is not her cousin'swedding but her own. I got the idea for this when I was on an Asialink Fellowship to Pakistan where I did research. The novel will be released shortly by HarperCollins.<br /><br /><em>See more info about Rosanne and her books at</em> <a href="http://www.rosannehawke.com/">http://www.rosannehawke.com/</a>.<br /><br /><em>Thanks, Rosanne. I'm told your courses are also available at Toowoomba through Eastgate College. Look forward to the launch of</em> Marrying Ameera!<em><br /></em>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-82901590297842752302010-07-20T02:27:00.000-07:002010-07-23T14:05:36.147-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVJJk0MT42YslLai8bnhNoiC4cthQ39CF_9bD-nYKnN_Hz7gjHoqLaxsed6jhn1ym_TwMj-9xGaBTY6Dx1e9JOIzswBigDh6sj972UFe0YWW9etbU0xCN2Wusj-FnmKC__FtM5HC2e-CX/s1600/Janetpic.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495919135154374978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVJJk0MT42YslLai8bnhNoiC4cthQ39CF_9bD-nYKnN_Hz7gjHoqLaxsed6jhn1ym_TwMj-9xGaBTY6Dx1e9JOIzswBigDh6sj972UFe0YWW9etbU0xCN2Wusj-FnmKC__FtM5HC2e-CX/s320/Janetpic.JPG" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS are either <em>Clues to your Calling, Decadence</em>, or a year's free subsciption to <em>Footprints magazine</em>, as well as <em>Puggles</em> picture book. TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT. For submissions for author interviews to aussiewriters do the same and we'll look at your work.<br /><br />Janet Camilleri, editor of <em>Footprints</em> Magazine, is our interviewee this week. Janet’s quote here is something, as an editor myself, I find very true:-<br /><br />“Being an editor is a great spiritual discipline as it causes you to put others before yourself,” Mark Galli, <em>Christianity Today</em>.<br /><br /><br /><strong>What is behind your deep passion evident in <em>Clues for your Calling</em> and <em>Footprints </em>magazine?</strong><br /><br />A lot of my passions are borne out of my past pains … my childhood was marred by parental divorce, mental health issues, and alcoholism, and I experienced verbal, physical and emotional abuse. Not surprisingly, I developed depression as an adult! It’s been a long journey but I do believe God has healed me and made me whole, so now I am motivated to help others deal with these issues so that they too can be set free from the baggage of their past.<br /><br /><br /><strong>What do you find is your biggest struggle as an editor and how do you overcome it?<br /></strong><br />I find it really hard to give feedback on other people’s work, while being diplomatic and sensitive to their feelings. With my own work, I can be ruthless and know that I won’t get offended or discouraged!<br /><br />I really want to encourage other aspiring writers, but find it difficult to take the time to help guide a writer through the process of editing, or even re-writing their piece. I hate the thought that I might hurt anybody’s feelings, but at the same time, I really want the quality of the content in <em>Footprints</em> to be of as high a standard as possible!<br /><br />One solution I came up with was to post our Writer’s Guidelines on our website, which clearly spell out exactly what I am looking for. Hopefully any potential contributors would study these thoroughly before submitting – it’s a simple thing, and I know every “writing for magazines” book or article says this – but it really is true, I can tell a lot of people don’t read it by their submissions!<br /><br />This is one of the reasons I like to lead the occasional writer’s workshop – such as at the Word Writer’s Fair (<a href="http://www.thewordwriters.com/">http://www.thewordwriters.com/</a> )later this year – so that I can teach others about writing for magazines. Hopefully, the workshop participants will then go on to become contributors to Footprints!<br /><br /><strong>How do you blend editing with time to write?<br /></strong><br />People often ask me how I manage to do everything that I do and I can honestly answer, I don’t know – it must be God! In addition to my Footprints commitments, I have a husband and two teens, I work four days a week, there are household chores, church, friends and family … but I absolutely love what I do and so it doesn’t feel like work. Perhaps that is the secret!<br /><br />Sometimes I have to make tough decisions--there are heaps of good things, things that I *want* to do, but I can’t do all of them. It is then I have to seek God and find out what He wants me to pursue, and what needs to be pruned from my life. A couple of years ago I felt Him clearly impress me with the fact that He has given me a magazine to run, and I need to focus on that. I *love* to speak at women’s groups and events, but since then I have put this on the back-burner – I just don’t have the time. It’s not just the turning up at events and speaking, it’s the hours of preparation and prayer that go into each engagement … Fortunately God has raised up Melanie and Nicola (other ladies on the Footprints Team) and they are doing an awesome job, sharing at ladies breakfasts, conferences and the like. However I look forward to the day that I can take up this aspect of the ministry again!<br /><br />These days I find that I do very little actual writing for the magazine, as I am so busy with my editing duties. But I write a devotional piece for our free monthly <em>Footprints FOCUS ezine</em>, and also keep a Footprints blog, which is where I enjoy the creative outlet of writing.<br /><br />I don’t write for other magazines these days--I just don’t have the time!<br /><br /><strong>Tell us about the editing conference you attended recently.</strong><br /><br /><br />Last year I was extremely blessed to attend a Christian Editor’s conference in Manila, the Philippines, which was hosted by Magazine Training International. MTI is an American organisation which exists to encourage Christian magazine publishing throughout the world. Their mandate is to support others in publishing Christian magazines, as they believe that it’s important to have “culturally appropriate publications – where God puts the vision into people’s hearts to publish and reach their own” (Sharon Mumper, from MTI).<br /><br />Our trainers were top notch and included Mark Galli, Senior Managing Editor at Christianity Today from the USA; Estera Wieja, Managing Editor of <em>Nasze Inspiracje (Our Inspirations</em>) a Polish women’s magazine; and Terry White, who has founded three Christian magazines and taught journalism at colleges across the USA.<br /><br />Here are just some of my favourite “pearls of wisdom” from the conference presenters:<br /><br />“Being an editor is a great spiritual discipline as it causes you to put others before yourself,” Mark Galli, <em>Christianity Today.<br /></em><br />“Don’t just write about things that are wrong – how can we make it right?” Estera Wieja, <em>Nasze Inspiracje.<br /></em><br />“Writing is good stewardship. One article may reach hundreds of people,” Terry White, <em>BMH Books.<br /></em><br />I learnt many things, but probably the biggest thing was how important it is to look after our readers and writers. As Rick Warren says in the first sentence of <em>The Purpose Driven Life</em>, “it’s not about me,” (and yes I have made that mistake in the past!). It’s about honouring God, encouraging our readers, nurturing younger Christians, comforting the hurting and lonely, reaching out to others with the good news of the gospel, and giving writers an opportunity to grow and improve and publish their work, and so much more …<br /><br /><br /><strong>Are there any programs or events you would recommend to budding authors?</strong><br /><br />When I first realised that anybody could write and submit material to magazines (and even get paid for it!), I went to the library and devoured as many books on the subject as I could – so that would be the first thing I would recommend to other budding writers. Look under Dewey Decimal Number 808! Other resources I recommend are:<br /><br />§ the US publication <em>Writer’s Digest</em>;<br /><br />§ “<em>The Australian Writer's Marketplace: every contact you will ever need to succeed in the writing business</em>” (compiled and edited by Queensland Writers' Centre);<br /><br />§ joining an online group such as <a href="http://www.momwriters.com/">http://www.momwriters.com/</a>;<br /><br />§ submitting your work and honing your craft at <a href="http://www.faithwriters.com/">http://www.faithwriters.com/</a>;<br /><br />§ joining a writer’s group such as <a href="http://www.omegawriters.com/">http://www.omegawriters.com/</a>;<br /><br />§ Attending writer’s events and festivals such as <a href="http://www.thewordwriters.com/">http://www.thewordwriters.com/</a>.<br /><br /><strong>What would you say is the most important message to help a new writer gain<br />publication?</strong><br /><br />Start small. Don’t send a 2000 word feature and expect to be published in a national magazine! The best way to start building a portfolio of published work, is by submitting to non-paying and/or smaller publications. The best way to break into a paying market is to try your hand at fillers (short pieces)--just make sure the publication accepts unsolicited manuscripts or it will be a waste of time. As the editor gets to know you and trust your work, they will be more interested in seeing other (longer) articles from you--and may even begin commissioning you for particular stories!<br /><br /><strong>Tell us an inspiring story you published in <em>Footprints.</em> What is the link to the full story?</strong><br /><br />How do I choose just one?! There are so many, I actually wrote a blog post about this not long ago! I know that <em>Footprints </em>has been instrumental in seeing at least one person come into the kingdom of God, and probably many more that I won’t know about until we get to heaven.<br /><br />One lady wrote to tell us about how <em>Footprints</em> helped her break the bonds and bitterness of unforgiveness in her life, and that she now has peace. Another girl didn’t go ahead with a suicide attempt after reading one of our articles.<br /><br />I’m also often told that reading <em>Footprints</em> is like a big warm hug, which is exactly what we pray for!<br /><br /><strong>Tell us something about your latest issue …</strong><br /><br />We are currently celebrating our 50th issue of <em>Footprints </em>magazine, a very exciting occasion! Many of the articles are around the theme of “50”, including “Life Begins at 50”, and “The Year of Jubilee”. We have also marked this important occasion with a blog tour (for the full itinerary, please click here); a cover girl competition; and we are having an informal get-together in a Brisbane park on 24th July. (If anybody is interested in joining us, please email editor @ footprintsaustralia for details). And as a special offer to your readers, they can also email us to request a free trial issue!Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-12497491840880545272010-07-10T14:53:00.000-07:002010-07-11T02:04:57.345-07:00New Aussie Picture Book Writer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0QnXe4n0azEhM9Kc7rHnTatFsTYAVwdmz96fWwjUGhCZiHsDXevTfrNy3K9soNCOJJfCLn3OBYtGC0oPuo-4G6XSKrxQcyRjnoe3245xAQaODhVMU6KdH2cqjOWhuYqFUCDee-vkxx5A/s1600/INterviewALeesahPIC.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492400174541402546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0QnXe4n0azEhM9Kc7rHnTatFsTYAVwdmz96fWwjUGhCZiHsDXevTfrNy3K9soNCOJJfCLn3OBYtGC0oPuo-4G6XSKrxQcyRjnoe3245xAQaODhVMU6KdH2cqjOWhuYqFUCDee-vkxx5A/s320/INterviewALeesahPIC.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>TO BE IN THE DRAW FOR THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAY, or for submissions for author interviews, POST A COMMENT (or ask a question of the author) and CLICK FOLLOW at the bottom LH corner. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong>This month's free book winners are Corallie and Linda, both from QLD.</strong></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Aleesah Darlison is a new picture book writer with Wombat Books. Welcome Aleesah...</div><div></div><strong>What inspired you to write Puggle’s Problem?</strong><br /><br />I’m such a big softie when it comes to animals. When I saw my first puggle (baby echidna) a few years back, I immediately fell in love. I just knew I had to write a story about puggles... and so Puggle’s Problem was born.<br /><br /><strong>What are you passionate about?</strong><br /><br />Animals, making kids laugh (which is a much more pleasant sound than hearing them cry)! chocolate, books, social justice, and being a good mum.<br /><br /><strong>What do you find is your biggest struggle as an author and how do you overcome it?</strong><br /><br />Trying to be everything you need to be in the competitive world of children’s writing can be demanding. Not only do you have to manufacture your own ‘product’ (i.e. write your books), you also have to be your own PR and Sales department, Accounts department, Events Manager and so on. It’s exhausting! Being a newcomer to the field, I have my work cut out for me in getting my name out there. But I just keep chipping away, doing what I can. I’m starting small and local and hoping the word will slowly spread....<br /><br /><strong>How did you come to be published with Wombat Books? </strong><br /><br />I’m always on the lookout for an opportunity. When I heard about Wombat Books, a new QLD publisher, through the Alpha2Omega competition, I checked out their website and saw they were accepting unsolicited manuscripts. By this time, I had written quite a few picture book manuscripts, so I picked two that I thought were the most suitable for the Wombat Books list and sent them in. As luck would have it, the publisher at Wombat Books liked my puggle story... and the rest is history!<br /><br /><strong>Who were your favourite authors as a child? </strong><br /><br />I think every girl growing up when I did read Enid Blyton. I also loved C.S. Lewis’ Narnia Series. Those two authors were really bread and butter reading for my generation. Jean M. Auel’s prehistoric series was also a favourite when I was a little older. I lapped that stuff up.<br /><br /><strong>What made you decide to become a writer?</strong><br /><br />I think the desire was always there, but I stifled it for a long time. When I was a teenager I won a writing competition and had some stories published in an anthology. When I expressed an interest in becoming a writer, however, I was told to forget about it! That I would have to live in a third world country on a tiny pittance and never get anywhere. It seems funny now, but I guess the people advising me were just trying to help. Or perhaps they’d read my stories and were trying to tell me how bad they were without being too unkind! I really don’t think I was a good writer back then, my writing was too raw, my skills completely un-honed. But the desire to be a writer never really left me. I went to university and did other things, but I was always writing in my spare time. When I stopped full-time work to become a full-time mum, that’s when my dream to become a writer flared up again. I decided this time I was going to make it happen. And now no one is more surprised than I am that my dream has actually become a reality.<br /><br /><strong>What would you say is the most important message to help a new writer gain publication?</strong><br /><br />Work hard. Write constantly. Don’t ever give up.<br /><br /><strong>What are the themes running through your work?</strong><br /><br />Friendship. Loyalty. Love. Kindness to animals and to others. Courage.<br /><br /><strong>Tell us something about your latest book.<br /><em></em></strong><br /><em>Puggle’s Problem</em> is the story of a tiny puggle, a baby echidna, called Pipp. Pipp has a huge problem: he can’t get his spines. Tired of waiting for them to appear, Pipp sets out to ask his friends for help. <em>Puggle’s Problem</em> teaches children about the importance of patience and that sometimes we have to wait for good things to happen. It also showcases some of Australia’s best-loved native animals. Award-winning wildlife artist, Sandra Temple, illustrated the book for me and she’s done a wonderful job.<br /><br />My next book, <em>Totally Twins: Musical Mayhem,</em> is due out in September 2010 and it’s for girls aged nine plus. It’s about identical twins <em>Persephone and Portia Pinchgut</em> and is written in diary format by Persephone. It’s a fun—and funny—read and it’s illustrated by Serena Geddes. Serena’s illustrations add so much humour and depth to the story, I just know girls are going to love it. If people want to find out more about me, they can visit my website at: <a href="http://www.aleesahdarlison.com/">http://www.aleesahdarlison.com/</a>.Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-69157697204835245032010-06-27T18:27:00.000-07:002010-07-06T15:46:07.482-07:00Inspirational Historical Romance from New Zealand<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXroRPxScxG5xLE_epc3ojuWcnW5OLnzwr7GH-_X1a8I64t0PNWQGDq898hFPApgdwZ4U6RARv2szWsY5r-LMRPbbC_uIczzuURGOcxo0wCRaPPgU3NPw57w83vFRrzpyUG1fLhCwGehwW/s1600/JulianneJones.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488506402334694962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXroRPxScxG5xLE_epc3ojuWcnW5OLnzwr7GH-_X1a8I64t0PNWQGDq898hFPApgdwZ4U6RARv2szWsY5r-LMRPbbC_uIczzuURGOcxo0wCRaPPgU3NPw57w83vFRrzpyUG1fLhCwGehwW/s320/JulianneJones.JPG" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS ARE<em> <em>The Last Virgin in Year Ten</em>, <em>Nerrilee's World, Karaoke Kate </em>and <em>To a Distant Land</em> TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT to the columnists OR A QUESTION to the author, THEN CLICK FOLLOW in the bottom LH corner. You will also be considered for an author interview some time in the future.<br /></em><br /><em></em><br /><em>If you are an unpublished writer, we'd like to see you up on our NEW WRITERS page.<br /><br /><br />We will go to a different genre this week before heading back to children's lit again next week. This time we look at inspirational historical romance by Julianne Jones from New Zealand. Here is Julianne:-<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>What are you passionate about?</strong><br /><br />I'm passionate about a lot of things but I would have to say that my faith and my family are up there at the top of the list. I'm also passionate about writing and honestly, why else would I do it? It's been said that, ‘There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed’ (Ernest Hemingway). Computers may have replaced typewriters but they've not made the writing any easier. I also love reading and quilting and long hot summers (which unfortunately I no longer experience) and the Australian bush (but not the snakes). As a writer, my passion is to share God's love via the written word and I hope that in some small way I do that.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>What do you find is your biggest struggle as an author and how do you overcome it?</strong><br /><br />Finding time and finding inspiration. I work part-time as an early childhood teacher and arrange my hours to allow time for writing but there are many weeks that go by when I'm not able to write as often as I would like because life intrudes (like now where I'm doing this interview rather than writing). As for inspiration, I'll admit that I don't understand what it is at all or how it comes but when it does come I just enjoy it and make the most of it. The rest of the time I just slog away writing and hope that I manage to create something worthy of being read.<br /><br /><br /><strong><br />Do you ever experience self doubt? </strong><br /><br />Never. In case, that sounds conceited (and I know it does), let me explain. God has given me this desire to write and I've always wanted to do that. I feel fulfilled when I write--as if I'm doing what I've been created to do. I rarely if ever doubt that. But can I make it as a writer? That's where the self doubt comes in. I belong to an online Christian writers' group and one of the first things I discovered about that group is that there are a lot of incredibly gifted Christian writers around who have never been published. To realise that was humbling. Who am I that I could think for even a moment that what I write is worth publishing? And now that I am published, I can only be amazed at God's goodness to me because I know how undeserving I am.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>What do you do about it?</strong><br /><br />I write. I pray. And I trust God that if He wants what I've written to be published then it will be. And I keep reading all my favourite authors and hope that perhaps in some way I will be able to absorb some of their wonderful wonderful ability and in time write half as well as they do.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Do you have any tips for new writers? </strong><br /><br />Write. Write. Write. Read. Read. Read. Make the dictionary your friend. Join a writers' group. Enter competitions. Hone your skills. Never ever give up. If this is what God has called you to do then it will happen in His time not yours.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Are there any programs or events you would recommend to budding authors?</strong><br /><br />I joined a writers' group and entered their weekly challenge and found that the discipline of writing to a topic and keeping to a word count was invaluable in honing my skills. I tried different genres (even poetry for which I have absolutely no talent) just to increase my own knowledge and build my skills. I read articles on writing and was inspired by author biographies (especially Janette Oke whose biography I used to borrow from my local library every year). Anything that increased my knowledge and skills was not to be dismissed. However I never took a formal course but certainly wouldn't rule this out for those looking to hone their skills.<br /><br /><br /><strong><br />What would you say is the most important message to help a new writer gain publication?</strong><br /><br />Don't dismiss the magazines and ezines that don't pay for your work. By submitting your work and getting it published you are beginning to build up a writing portfolio even if you're not earning. It's perhaps a good way to get a foot in the door. It's also important to know your target audience and to write accordingly.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>What are the themes running through your work?</strong><br /><br />I guess it's no surprise to discover that the two things at the top of my passionate list—faith and family—are major themes in my writing. I also like to explore other themes such as friendship and marriage. In fact, I like to think of my books as love stories in the truest sense: stories about love between family members, love between friends, and God's love for mankind.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Tell us something about your latest book.</strong><br /><br /><em>To A Distant Land</em> follows the lives of three young people: Katie Donovan who is wrongly accused and sentenced to seven years transportation to a distant land far from family and country; Samuel McKinnon, recently graduated from college and who accepts a position as spiritual advisor on a convict ship, intending to return home once the journey is complete but discovers that God’s plans are contrary to his own; and Rhiannon Sanford who immigrates with her family to Australia after a rift between her grandfather and father. It is a story about friendship and faith set against a backdrop of transportation and the harsh realities of life in colonial Australia.<br /><br /><br /><br />I wrote the book with young adults (11 to 14 year olds) in mind but it's not been marketed specifically for that age group and from the feedback I've received it seems that it's not just the young adults who enjoy the book. However, one thing I was quite mindful of when writing was the huge responsibility of preserving the innocence of the readers (particularly given the target audience). For this reason, there are only veiled references to some of the social issues of the day (such as privileged sons forcing themselves on innocent girls) and which are not likely to be picked up by younger readers, and careful handling of the facts relating to convicts and transportation.<br /><br /><br /><br />There are another two books in this series (one already completed and waiting for a publisher; the other partly written) which continue the stories of Katie, Samuel and Rhiannon in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable—the Hunter Valley in NSW.<br /><br />Here is a link to my website: http://www.juliannejones.com/. The first chapter of the book can be read here: http://www.juliannejones.com/html/To_A_Distant_Land_prologue&chapter1.pdf<br /><br />I also have a number of blogs but the two that might interest readers are my writing blog A Reason to Write: http://juliannemjones.blogspot.com/ and my personal blog On Eagles' Wings: http://julesoneagleswings.blogspot.com/.<br /><br /><br />Thank you, Julianne. This book fills a gap in the Australian New Zealand inspirational marketplace. I don't remember a significant convict romance since Margaret Reeson's and I look forward to reading it.<br /><br />Wendy<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></em><em></em><em></em>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-71329221758002698842010-06-20T07:30:00.000-07:002010-06-20T15:50:09.228-07:00AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL CONFERENCE 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4n57nOZe_-qRDJhhe9XvFIX-MLXfkVqSuVkxKLlqXH4G0SXOdvGbyaJ0oSZZnVDZOoNmHTJi3j7OVmUQghp1UQ5p-er00ZR-Tmo6L28GVAZTleOeDdllOcAKyiemIY2tkEi6QyQqFtCMx/s1600/Mirror.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 131px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484803106824869250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4n57nOZe_-qRDJhhe9XvFIX-MLXfkVqSuVkxKLlqXH4G0SXOdvGbyaJ0oSZZnVDZOoNmHTJi3j7OVmUQghp1UQ5p-er00ZR-Tmo6L28GVAZTleOeDdllOcAKyiemIY2tkEi6QyQqFtCMx/s320/Mirror.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>THIS WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS are <em>Listening land, The last virgin in year 10 and As the eagle, flies the king. </em>TO BE IN THE DRAW, POST A COMMENT THEN CLICK FOLLOW.</div><div></div><div><strong>THE CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL CONFERENCE</strong> 2010, run by the NSW branch, was an enlightening experience as well as lots of fun. Some of our best known children’s authors and publishers gave their tips. Dee White’s <a href="http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com/blogging-and-cyber-touring-tips-for-authors/">http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com/blogging-and-cyber-touring-tips-for-authors/</a>and Sandy Fussell’s <a href="http://www.samuraikids.com.au/">http://www.samuraikids.com.au/</a> insights into online marketing was particularly helpful:-<br /><br />• Dee showed how to schedule a blog tour ( see Sally Murphy’s Aussie Blog Tours for examples) Dee noted the importance of having a different take on your book for different blog hosts., e.g. the author’s journey, the research process, themes, the characters, etc. Doing her online book launch, she said, took around four hours without time for a cup of tea!<br /><br />• Sandy revealed the secrets of Facebook. The main surprise to me was how a Tweet (from Twitter) and a blog from Blogger can appear automatically on Facebook. Sally also recommended Cassandra Gold’s article online called How Facebook changed my life.<br /><br />• Sandy Fussell’s website is a benchmark for a great children’s writer’s site. The National Library has declared Sandy Fussell’s site a national treasure by the service. Sally Murphy, who runs Aussie Blog Tours <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/aussieblogtours">http://www.squidoo.com/aussieblogtours</a> told us about the problems of using rhyme to write verse novels. Thanks, Sally!<br /><br />A session on Graphic Novels (by Paul MacDonald) showed their growing popularity. Everything from Shakespeare and <em>Pride and prejudice</em> to <em>Maus</em>—winner of the Booker Prize—have taken the graphic novel format to new levels. He recommends <em>The lexicon of comicana</em>. Create your own graphic novel at <a href="http://toonlet.com/">http://toonlet.com/</a>.<br /><br />A variety of well known icons, from Shaun Tan and his surrealistic picture books to Melina Marchetta’s heart wrenching teen stories about loss and grief were showcased by their authors. Jackie French and Libby Gleeson had launches. Andy Griffiths, Margaret Wild, Julie Vivas--all the big names in Australian children's literature were there and lesser known authors had signings. The heartwarming images of Bob Graham and the stories behind them were inspirational. A pre-release of Jeannie Baker’s Mirror was amazing to see. Look out for it! </div><div></div><div>There were many more fascinating author talks and publisher displays. If only we could be in three places at once! </div><div></div><div>Congratulations to Annie, signing her books alongside Margaret and Julie!<br /><br />Publishers discussing the<em> e-book</em> was an eye opener. Picture books would be more expensive than regular books as <em>e-books</em> because of the technology involved.</div><div>Some publishers felt that the lower cost of production meant there would be a greater percentage of royalties for the author. There was no consensus on this point. Stay tuned, as more comes to light on this subject…<br /><br /><br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Wendy </div>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128177199799267112.post-4871094231464040542010-06-08T16:46:00.000-07:002010-07-21T16:45:11.322-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34-WNzUD955tgLkdQW259PXLj_1BNywXCTnPg9sBAfWfmqHmiedsSfvs7NMukeUsJc36G__3bxbudprgHZneFKUeUgXkOQF29dj3Sk6lBJMA8Sl99FVcexTcKlDjg1QQA0emBzN5M5Bdp/s1600/Dale+Photo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480717920211083106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34-WNzUD955tgLkdQW259PXLj_1BNywXCTnPg9sBAfWfmqHmiedsSfvs7NMukeUsJc36G__3bxbudprgHZneFKUeUgXkOQF29dj3Sk6lBJMA8Sl99FVcexTcKlDjg1QQA0emBzN5M5Bdp/s320/Dale+Photo.jpg" /></a><br />THIS MONTH'S GIVEAWAYS are <em>The Singing Silence</em> by Annie Hamilton, <em>Karaoke Kate</em> by Dale Harcombe and <em>Chirpy's New Home</em> by Rochelle Manners. To be in the draw or have a chance to be interviewed, post a comment and click FOLLOW.<br /><br /><br />The winners of our current giveaways are Lynnette from NSW, James from QLD, Narelle from ACT, Mary from TASSY, Jeannie CA, Laura from QLD and Janet from QLD. There are still books to give away.<br /><br />As the CHILDRENS BOOK COUNCIL conference is next week, I thought it appropriate to interview a veteran of the children’s book trade: DALE HARCOMBE. I remember reading Dale’s books to my eldest when she was young.<br /><br />You can find Dale at <a href="http://www.daleharcombe.com/">http://www.daleharcombe.com/</a><br /><br />If you'll be at the conference and would like to be interviewed, email us through this site. (<a href="http://imaginethisimaginethat.wordpress.com/">http://imaginethisimaginethat.wordpress.com/</a> ) from June 18th to June 19th.<br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />Here is Dale...<br /><br /><strong>What are you passionate about?</strong><br /><br />Lots of things. Here are a few. Sharing faith, being married and sharing what I have learned over many years of marriage with others through my marriage and blogs at www. families.com, writing fiction and poetry for children and adults, books and reading, singing and music, and following the Sydney Swans AFL team.<br /><br /><strong>What do you find is your biggest struggle as an author and how do you overcome it?</strong><br /><br />Knowing what ideas to concentrate on and what to let go. Finding time for all the things I want to do. Pray about it and try and prioritize. That still doesn’t mean I always get it right though.<br /><br /><strong>Do you have any tips for new writers?</strong><br /><br />Read as much as possible especially of the type of genre you want to write. Make contact with other writers through online groups or face to face at writing groups and festivals. Study publishers’ lists and see what they are publishing and try and target what you write to the appropriate publisher. Of course, even that doesn’t always guarantee publication. Don’t give up despite rejections but keep writing, revising and submitting.<br /><br /><strong>Are there any programs or events you would recommend to budding authors?</strong><br /><br />Workshops at local writing centres like the NSW Writers Centre cans be helpful as can SCBWI conferences and CBCA conferences to get a picture of what is already in the market place, meet other writers and sometimes connect with editors or agents.<br /><br /><strong>What would you say is the most important message to help a new writer gain publication?</strong><br /><br />Write lots, read lots, revise lots, check publisher websites and guidelines and then submit.<br /><br /><strong>What are the themes you explore in your books?</strong><br /><br />Choice and how one person's choice often affects more than them but affects others in a family is a big theme in much of my work, as is how people deal with discouragement and the difficulties that life hands them. From<em> Chasing after the Wind</em>, my first published novel, all of my books feature family relationships and relationships with friends. Peer pressure and bullying comes into <em>The Goanna Island Mystery.</em> My novels often feature people who are not in well off financial circumstances but are battlers e.g. <em>Chasing after the Wind</em> is set in the Great Depression and in the present day in Western Sydney, an area I was very familiar with. Others, including my two as yet unpublished adult fiction manuscripts are set in country areas, as is <em>Karaoke Kate.</em> Again these are areas I am familiar with. <em>The Goanna Island Mystery</em> and the two <em>Team Turbo</em> are set in coastal areas similar to where I now live. All are set in Australia. <em>Kaleidoscope,</em> my book of poems, is very much about the people and places of Australia. It contains a number of poems involving social comment on topics such as homelessness, abuse, youth suicide among more lyrical poems and family oriented poems and poems about people on the fringe of society. Water and music are part of all my novels and poetry.<br /><br /><strong>Tell us something about your latest books.<br /></strong><br /><em>Lights, Camera, Action</em>, and <em>Saltspray Idol</em> are my two latest books, both published towards the end of last year. They are about a group of children called Team Turbo who live in the coastal town of Saltspray. <em>In Lights, Camera, Action</em> they audition for a movie shoot as extras. As well they visit Doughnut Island and that doesn’t turn out as expected. In <em>Saltspray Idol</em> they form a band and end up winning a place in the finals of the Idol competition and a trip to Sydney.<br />I was approached by the publisher and asked to write for the series as Wendy Pye had already published <em>Karaoke Kate</em> and <em>Red Alert!</em><br /><br />Lights, Camera, Action and Saltspray Idol are part of the Interventions series to help encourage reluctant readers nine to 12 years of age. They come with lots of teacher resources.<br /><br /><br />**For submissions for author interviews to AussieWriters, email CLICK FOLLOW and POST A COMMENT. And we will look at your work.</div>Wendy Sargeanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07347869801898901839noreply@blogger.com12