Hello you dashing creatures, you!
It's been awhile,
right? Sorry about that. Stuff has been happening. And then more stuff. And
some stuff I can't really talk about just yet but will as SOON as it's all
finalised because I'm dying to tell you.
How have you been?
How was your Christmas? How was your New Year? Have you kept any of your
resolutions?
Me, I resolved to
take a break from writing over the summer. And I did. And for once in my life I
got to enjoy doing things and not feel guilty. One part of being an author is
that it feels like you have homework every day for the rest of your life. :)
I'm working on this one.
Here is some other
stuff I've been doing:
READING
Ghost Huntress
I enjoyed this book, it goes into
the more technical aspects of ghost hunting and what it’s like to be psychic,
which has always been a bit of a mystery to me. And did you know Marley Gibson
is an ACTUAL paranormal investigator herself? I saw her on the show Ghost
Adventures and everything. I love paranormal investigation shows, and I have
been known to go on ghost tours on more than one occasion. Should I be visiting
a different city or country I will find a ghost tour to go on, don’t you worry.
This may be why I was pretty much convinced the house I lived in all of last
year was haunted. I don’t live there anymore (you win, ghosts!)
Ashfall
I’m about halfway through this one at the
moment and really enjoying it. Mike Mullin has clearly done his homework and I
totally believe the world he’s built, in the aftermath of a volcano eruption 900
miles away. All. That. Ash. It’s destructive. Plus Mike has the habit of ending
chapters like “Aaah. Everything’s going to be okay now oh wait no it’s not”
which is definitely keeping me turning pages.
Starkissed
This was such a light, cute read. Easy reading
which is exactly what I was looking for. Like if a cupcake was a book, this is
what it would read like.
Skylark
Hats off to Meagan Spooner, she has such a way
with words, it’s really beautifully done. I plowed through the beginning, got a
little bogged down in the middle but the ending was fantastic and I’m so glad I
continued. If you like dystopian fantasy, then give this one a crack for sure.
Obsidian
When I finish Ashfall, I’m going to start
Obsidian. You have no idea how many people are telling me what a treat I’m in
for. I have to read it now because I need to know how a book can be THAT good!
I’ll keep you posted. Or I might forget, which is more likely. But when I DO
finish it I’ll be saying so on Goodreads. Make sure you friend me so we can
compare notes on books, okay?
WATCHING
The Mindy Project
Come on. How cute is this show. I love Mindy. I just do.
Elementary
I wasn’t sure what this was going to be like when I started.
I’ve never been a HUGE fan of Johnny Lee Miller (though it’s not like I hate
him or anything) and Watson as a woman? And in New York? I thought this was
going to be a watered down version of the universally acknowledged brilliant British
show, Sherlock. But it’s not. It’s way different, I think Johnny does a stellar
job as (a very different depiction of) Sherlock, and though the character of
Watson is completely different, she’s a positively capital fit. Jolly good.
Bunheads
When I watched the first episode of this show I was like “this
is SO familiar.” And then I figured out what it was. On the same set as Gilmore
Girls, with a bunch of the same cast as Gilmore Girls and the same super speed
dialogue as Gilmore Girls, by the same show creator. Though it’s a different
story, it’s also kind of the same. Definitely feels the same. I wasn’t sure
what I thought of that to begin with, Gilmore Girls 2.0, but hell, it’s grown
on me.
The Walking Dead
Who ISN’T watching The Walking Dead, am I right? Though you
may have to hide your enjoyment of this show from your elders as they may look
at you funny and be somewhat concerned at your enjoyment of a show with THAT
MUCH gore. Can you tell I’m talking from personal experience? I haven't seen the new episode yet, so don't spoil me, okay?
DOING
Penguin Parade
I worked over the summer period at the Penguin
Parade on Phillip Island, Victoria in the gift shop, talking with visitors from all over Australia and
abroad, sometimes in English and sometimes in hand gestures and lots of
pointing. Before you ask – no – alas, I didn’t steal a Penguin. I really should have.
Editing
I've been editing some fantastic up-coming books which I really hope either get picked up by publishers or the authors self-publish themselves.
CJ's Boys of Summer is one of those fantastic books I worked on late last year. I'm looking forward to the next one!
Harriet & Ray Accessories
I’ve stated selling jewellery at markets! It’s
been really fun sourcing quirky pieces that you can’t find in stores and
selling them at my table. My favourites are the pocket watches. I love getting to meet so many people (and their dogs) as they peruse weekend markets, which is quite frankly one of the best ways to
spend your weekend, don’t you think? You can check out some of my stock (I have
new stock ALL the time) on the Harriet & Ray facebook page!
Writer’s Retreat!
Since the Penguin Parade is over for me for the year, and
school has gone back, I decided my writing break was over! I am just back
(today, in fact!) from two weeks by the beach, churning out words. Lots and
lots of words. The first draft of The Kiss Off 2 is complete!
And has a new name!
