Happy (...um...VERY BELATED) New Year!

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!

If you're looking for an editor, you can totally shoot me an email.

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!

I’ll announce that in a couple of days. And I'll announce some other stuff too, but the mailing list subscribers will find out first! If you want to subscribe, just toss your email address into the signup at the top of this page.

But for now, wow. Good on you. This was a big post. You kept reading all the way.

More later (I promise!)

Love