Saturday, October 31, 2009
Win a copy of Outback Hero
My promo copies turned up yesterday. It's always exciting to open the big box of the newest release. If you'd like to enter the draw for a copy o0f Outback Hero go to my website and email me the answer to a simple question. The contest runs until the end of November.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Wedding kiss
I played at a wedding yesterday with my wind trio. We've done hundreds of weddings but this time the celebrant said something I've never heard before but was blindingly obvious in hindsight.
When they'd taken the vows he said, "You may now kiss your bride in public."
It never occurred to me before, that this tradition stemmed from giving permission to kiss in public.
When they'd taken the vows he said, "You may now kiss your bride in public."
It never occurred to me before, that this tradition stemmed from giving permission to kiss in public.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
My Music Links
I had a lot of fun recently finding You Tube versions of all the music in my books. If you go to the Music page on my website you'll find I've listed all the musical references. Now they are linked to performances. I thought readers may enjoy discovering some new pieces.
In my second book Coming Home, for example, the beautiful Elgar Cello Concerto plays a large role. If you haven't heard it the references won't be as vivid, they won't mean as much. I found a YouTube video of Jacquleine Du Pre whose wonderful version I mention in the book.
If you find these links as you read my books you'll be able to, as one of of my lecturers at Music School said, "enjoy two pleasures at once." He was talking about listening to Wagner operas in the bath LOL
In my second book Coming Home, for example, the beautiful Elgar Cello Concerto plays a large role. If you haven't heard it the references won't be as vivid, they won't mean as much. I found a YouTube video of Jacquleine Du Pre whose wonderful version I mention in the book.
If you find these links as you read my books you'll be able to, as one of of my lecturers at Music School said, "enjoy two pleasures at once." He was talking about listening to Wagner operas in the bath LOL
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Pet peeve
I've read a few historical romances lately--I'm quite partial to them -- but my enjoyment has been spoiled by American anachronsims in the language. I'm sure the US authors and their editors don't even notice, but I do!
It grates on me when a young lady in supposedly Regency England says "It's time to go wash up." NO!!! Can you imagine Jane Eyre saying that to her charge? I don't think so. And replying to the query "How are you today?" with "I'm fine."
The weird thing is in many other respects the authors go to great lengths to use formal language and terminology relevant to the setting.
It grates on me when a young lady in supposedly Regency England says "It's time to go wash up." NO!!! Can you imagine Jane Eyre saying that to her charge? I don't think so. And replying to the query "How are you today?" with "I'm fine."
The weird thing is in many other respects the authors go to great lengths to use formal language and terminology relevant to the setting.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Things I learned while unpublished
I wrote for 6 years before I sold to Avalon. During that time I wrote and learned and wrote some more and learned some more. An ongoing process as we all know . . .
One important thing I learned is how long it takes me to write a book and what my method is. This is valuable knowledge for a writer because when that first sale comes along and with it the first contract, you have a clear idea of what you can manage and in what timeframe.
Publishers buy an author not just one book. They want to know they can rely on their new author to produce good quality, clean, ready to go work, on time as per the contract. Regard your unpublished time as an apprenticeship. This is when you learn not only your trade but about yourself.
Another bonus was that with 6 years of writing behind me I had a nice pile of stories to offer my publisher one by one with only minor revisions needed to suit the house guidelines. No stress involved. I also had vastly improved writing skills to bring to the revision of each suitable, completed manuscript. Suddenly I have 7 books out or in the pipeline.
I'm glad I didn't sell that very first story that went off only to be rejected. I wasn't pleased then despite some nice comments about it, but in hindsight it was a very good thing.
One important thing I learned is how long it takes me to write a book and what my method is. This is valuable knowledge for a writer because when that first sale comes along and with it the first contract, you have a clear idea of what you can manage and in what timeframe.
Publishers buy an author not just one book. They want to know they can rely on their new author to produce good quality, clean, ready to go work, on time as per the contract. Regard your unpublished time as an apprenticeship. This is when you learn not only your trade but about yourself.
Another bonus was that with 6 years of writing behind me I had a nice pile of stories to offer my publisher one by one with only minor revisions needed to suit the house guidelines. No stress involved. I also had vastly improved writing skills to bring to the revision of each suitable, completed manuscript. Suddenly I have 7 books out or in the pipeline.
I'm glad I didn't sell that very first story that went off only to be rejected. I wasn't pleased then despite some nice comments about it, but in hindsight it was a very good thing.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
New Sale
I've just heard from my lovely editor that book number 6 for Avalon, 'Instant Family' is scheduled for Oct 2010.
That means 2 books will be out next year starting with The Tangled Web in June !
Better get writing--fast.
That means 2 books will be out next year starting with The Tangled Web in June !
Better get writing--fast.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Four Things Tagging
Avalon Wester writer Ian Parnham tagged me. http://ijparnham.blogspot.com
so here goes
Four Movies that I can see over and over.
1. Six Days Seven Nights 2. A Night At the Opera 3. Terminator 14. The Castle
Four Places I have lived.
1. Canberrra Australia 2. Sierre, Switzerland 3. The Hague, Holland 4. Leeds, England --briefly
Four TV shows that I love to watch.
1. Spicks and Specks (ABC Australia) 2. Graham Norton Show 3. Father Ted 4. Silent Witness
Four places where I have gone on vacation.
1. Western Australia 2. Uluru 3. New Zealand 4. China
Four favourite foods.
1. Mangoes 2. Pasta 3. Nuts 4. Chocolate
Four websites I visit daily
1. Nick Hoorweg Music http://nickhoorwegmusic.today.com/2. Avalon Authors blog http://avalonauthors.blogspot.com/3. Facebook 4.RWAustraliaYahoo group
Four Places I would rather be.
1. I like where I am 2. Outside 3. At a good concert 4. Travelling
Four things that I would like to do before I die.
1 Go to Brazil 2. Finish War and Peace 3. Live to 100 (at least)4. See the Pyramids
Four novels I wish that I was reading for the first time.
1. A Dance to the Music of Time--Anthony Powell ( That's 12 in one)2. Pride and Prejudice--Jane Austen 3. The Mayor of Casterbridge--Thomas Hardy 4. To Kill A Mockingbird--Harper Lee
Four people to tag.
Nick Hoorweg http://nickhoorwegmusic.today.com/
Tracey O'Hara http://traceyo.livejournal.com/
Christina Phillips http://www.christinaphillips.blogspot.com/
Erica Hayes http://faerylite.livejournal.com/
so here goes
Four Movies that I can see over and over.
1. Six Days Seven Nights 2. A Night At the Opera 3. Terminator 14. The Castle
Four Places I have lived.
1. Canberrra Australia 2. Sierre, Switzerland 3. The Hague, Holland 4. Leeds, England --briefly
Four TV shows that I love to watch.
1. Spicks and Specks (ABC Australia) 2. Graham Norton Show 3. Father Ted 4. Silent Witness
Four places where I have gone on vacation.
1. Western Australia 2. Uluru 3. New Zealand 4. China
Four favourite foods.
1. Mangoes 2. Pasta 3. Nuts 4. Chocolate
Four websites I visit daily
1. Nick Hoorweg Music http://nickhoorwegmusic.today.com/2. Avalon Authors blog http://avalonauthors.blogspot.com/3. Facebook 4.RWAustraliaYahoo group
Four Places I would rather be.
1. I like where I am 2. Outside 3. At a good concert 4. Travelling
Four things that I would like to do before I die.
1 Go to Brazil 2. Finish War and Peace 3. Live to 100 (at least)4. See the Pyramids
Four novels I wish that I was reading for the first time.
1. A Dance to the Music of Time--Anthony Powell ( That's 12 in one)2. Pride and Prejudice--Jane Austen 3. The Mayor of Casterbridge--Thomas Hardy 4. To Kill A Mockingbird--Harper Lee
Four people to tag.
Nick Hoorweg http://nickhoorwegmusic.today.com/
Tracey O'Hara http://traceyo.livejournal.com/
Christina Phillips http://www.christinaphillips.blogspot.com/
Erica Hayes http://faerylite.livejournal.com/
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