Denise Covey, L'Aussie Writer

#RomanticFridayWriters Challenge No 30 - Learning to Dance When it's Over. My story, 'Full Circle'

2012-01-27T09:03:00.001+10:00

Full Circle

‘Move those bellies, ladies! Up! To the side! Down! Circle now! Yes!’
I peer into the window of the decrepit hall. A kaleidoscope of colour meets me—a scene straight from the Arabian Nights—a circle of whirling ladies moving around a shabby timber floor, bright skirts billowing, bare feet stamping, jewellery jangling. They are urged on by a moving work of art—a red-swathed Egyptian goddess, Amy Winehouse up-do swirling, curling, shapely arms gracefully uplifted, flowing fluidly around the room.
‘Circles, ladies. Circles. Ah, that’s good. You can do it! Lovely, lovely…”
What is this? I look around. There, on the jagged timber door, a little sign:

Samira’s Belly Dance Class.

Wednesday 7.30pm.

Beginners Welcome.

Belly dancing? Here? Could I be so bold? No. Benjamin’s right. I’m a yellow-bellied coward. Afraid of life.
‘Ladies, I said move your belly. Nothing else! Up! To the side! Down! To the other side! Circles! Do you feel it?’
Delight gleams through the sheen of sweat on rosy faces. These ladies are feeling it all right! Smooth, sensual, erotic! I’m unloved, unlovely, abandoned and afraid.
‘Let it go!’ Samira urges. ‘You are beautiful! Isolate. Push! Shoulders forward! Move! Shake it! Shimmy!’
Breasts wobble, bellies wobble, arms wobble. Samira glances at my window. She shouts in her husky voice: ‘The only restrictions are those you put on yourself!’
She’s talking to me.
‘Shake it ladies!’
Gold bells tinkle, wrist cuffs rattle, ankle cuffs clink.
I close my eyes, visualise myself in that glorious room. Visualise myself throwing off the chains of the long miserable years of marriage with Benjamin.
‘No, I could never do this.’

The dance class is over. The music stops, the stamping feet still, the clapping hands silence. I head home, lost in alone-ness.
The crashing waves near my front door thump out a message. I lean against the deck rail and listen. Life. Must. Go. On. Hope. Dream. Imagine.

If I drape some chiffon over my jelly belly, buy some scarves, beads and fringes…I could do this!
I consider my life, the long painful years of being nobody, nothing. The kids have left, Benjamin has left, it’s just me left.
Excitement bubbles up like water from a once-blocked fountain. ‘I can do whatever I want,’ I shout, surprised at the sound of my loud voice.
'I can be free!'
Instead of being the end of the world it could be the beginning of my world.

I’m off to learn to dance the world’s oldest dance. Bring it on!

©DeniseCovey2012

Word count: slightly over 400. FCA.

*Image - RiRi's Dance Acadamy, UK.

Many thanks to Jules Preston, writer,
for his series of guest prompts.
Thanks Jules

Click on the icon in my sidebar or the link at the end of my post to check out others participating today or join the blogfest yourself. You will be most welcome. Check out the Romantic Friday Writers Website. A winner is awarded the recognition of being the week's Featured Writer. It is a great place to practise the art of writing and push the boundaries of innovation.

Novelist's Survival Tip and Hello from Margaret River.

2012-01-18T13:50:00.010+10:00

Hi all!

Mongrel Creek Winery. One of the 5 cellar doors we visited yesterday.
Photo taken by Moi Images!

I'm actually relaxing in Perth and Margaret River at the moment, but being the super duper organised freak that I am I got all my posts written and scheduled before I flew away - and I'll tell you, it's one long flight from the east coast to the west coast of Australia, over 5 hours. I'll actually be jet lagged when I get back, so I've certainly got my RFWer story written and scheduled for the day after.

But this post is about writing our novel, right? As an avid reader of Writer's Digest, I thought I'd do my take on a recent article I read in the January 2012 issue.

I'll just bring up one of the 7 tips WD offered:

DON'T TAKE SHORTCUTS

Anyone can be published nowadays with the boom in e-books, so now you don't have to bother writing a novel worth reading, right? Wrong! If you think whatever you write is worth publishing, think again. If you write a poorly-written self-published book, you may sell some books the first time round, but no one will come back for more.

Don't think of editors as nasty creatures if they reject your manuscript, preventing you from rushing ahead and 'being published'. You can recover from the blow, and learn from rejection and use it as motivation to write better. Sure, we all know rejection hurts, but it's part of the process.

- Let it hurt for half and hour then get back to the keyboard.

- Learn from the critique if there is one. The publishing industry actually wants new authors.

Here's a couple of quotes -

"Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go."

E.L. Doctorow

"If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it."

Elmore Leonard

Is this the year you're going to find a publisher? It's one of my goals for 2012.

#RomanticFridayWriters - Challenge No 28- My prosetry, 'New Year's Resolution !'

2012-01-14T07:51:00.002+10:00

Romantic Friday Writers is a fortnightly on-going blogfest where writers respond to prompts or themes. It showcases the work of many fine writers who write romantic flash fiction or poetry under 400 words. You don't have to write of hearts and flowers; there just needs to be some element of romance present in your story/poem.

Click on the icon in my sidebar or the link at the end of my post to check out others participating today or join the blogfest yourself. You will be most welcome. Check out the Romantic Friday Writers Website. We are also found on twitter. We are @RFWER A winner is awarded the recognition of being the week's Featured Writer. It is a great place to practise the art of writing and push the boundaries of innovation.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

The New Year.

I hear the fireworks explode

I see the flickering shadows

outside my cell-like room

Am I having a party, you ask?

No party for moi.

I've found a new way to celebrate

this special time of the year.

I'm going to prison.

For murder.

Am I afraid?

Sure I am.

But

when the fear gets too large I claw my thoughts back

to Zack.

To what we had.

What we shared before we did IT!

Before we made our New Year's Resolution.

I wish he were here with me.

I would find strength and love in just one look from him.

But I've never been a logical person have I?

If Zack were with me

I wouldn't be in this fix

now would I?

Zack's the reason I'm going to prison.

They say I murdered him.

There's no such thing as 'mercy killing' in this state.

My 'mercy' has come back to sting me - hard.

The rest of my life will be a nightmare.

I'll have plenty of time

to think about what I've done.

But I'd do it all again.

For Zack.

Okay. I've written some prosetry for this entry. If you'd like to enter for the prompt, New Year's Resoluton, you have a day or two to get onto it! Check out the RomanticFridayWriters site for ideas. All writers welcome!

Click on the image to find more stories to read to this theme.

Well under 400-word limit. I'm no poet, so all suggestions for improvement welcome.

Look what blogger has done to my site! I can't believe it! I'm leaving the room!

2012-01-10T15:17:00.003+10:00

UPDATE! I've fixed it. I know it still needs work, but man, is it better!

Blogger and Google are doing a lot of fiddling in the 'sphere. This is what I ended up with - my old look blogger I started with 3 years ago. All my customisation has been lost. My three columns? Hopefully it'll be somewhere in cyberspace but for now I'm too weary to bother.

A sad day when I should be writing! First I got messages that people couldn't comment. Which after a few hours I worked out was because Google is changing our URLs, and Australia starts with 'A' so was one of the first. This meant anything I'd added couldn't read the new URL. So some bright spark at Disqus finally solved that problem and my comments all returned.

Just a few minutes ago I went into my blog and I saw this hideous sight! All the bells and whistles have disappeared. And strangely the Dashboard looks like the really old one. And you'll notice there's no 'Design' element. Definitely the techies fiddling!

I write this to apologise for the pathethic-looking blog. And maybe you might be in the know and tell me where to go and slap someone!

It's too cruel to think I have to build all over again after I'd just got my blog how I wanted it for now! At least at this stage my friend list is still hiding in the Dashboard. For how longer I wonder? But every comment I ever had has disappeared into the ether.

And there's no 'Preview' button.

Top Writing Blogs Award Nominee. And what improves your writing acumen?

2012-01-09T17:23:00.000+10:00

Well this might be a scam, but I can't see how it could do any harm. Apparently I've been nominated for this sweet-sounding award and was asked to do at least 2 things for the organiser. Her name is Brittany Behrman, in case you know her.

This is her blurb: eCollegeFinder, an established online education resource representing over 120 accredited online institutions, began hosting a series of Top Blogger Awards in early 2010. Our goal in hosting the awards is to enrich students while giving high-quality blogs the recognition they deserve. So if you like the sound of it, you can nominate someone.

She asked me to answer a question for her students so I flipped this off quickly then I thought I'd share it with my readers:

What advice can you offer students aiming to improve their writing acumen?

Having a long writing career, I found that the following help improve writing acumen -

be inquisitive, be aware of what is going on around you
always keep a journal or an electronic device handy to jot down story ideas or great descriptions you might read in a book or magazine. You can study these excellent words and phrases later and discover why they caught your eye. Then you can practise writing something even better!
some say writing can't be taught. I disagree. Read every 'how to' book on your craft, attend creative writing seminars, take creative writing courses at an educational institution, but you must write, write, write. The best way to learn is to do, not just to keep learning about it. Do it!
enter flash fiction competitions. I found writing flash fiction made the biggest difference to my writing. I learned to create a story then to cut it back to only what really mattered to tell the story. Flash fiction is usually under 1,000 words. The Romantic Friday Writers group I co-founded writes 400 words and under. There are some other online flash fiction challenges that write 100, or even 50 words and under. All great to improve your writing acumen.

What do you think? What improves writing acumen in your opinion?

Published already in 2012! The Vine Leaves Literary Journal is hot off the press and I'm in it, as are many blogger friends.

2012-01-06T17:17:00.003+10:00

STOP PRESS! Vine Leaves Issue #01 is now out and it looks awesome!

One of my goals for 2012 is a challenge I've set for myself - Write It. Submit It. Once a week. Don't go looking to sign up as there's no link - there's a membership of 1, Yours Truly. If you want to join me, fabulous. Let me know in comments! We could get a little group thingy happening!

The first week of January is rushing towards me like a runaway train and I've yet to submit anything this week. But all is not lost. Thanks to the new Vine Leaves Literary Journal I have 2 days to write a submission for their Issue #2. Of course I have lots of other projects on the boil but they demand many, many more words!

Thanks to the amazing efforts of Jessica Bell and Dawn Ius, the Vine Leaves Literary Journal Inaugural Issue is out today! And my little vignette is in it!

What's different about Vine Leaves? Well, it pubishes the 'vignette.' Let Jessica and Dawn speak for themselves:

The vignette.

It’s rare for a literary magazine to accept the "vignette" as a publishable piece of literature. Why? Because it is not a “proper story.” We beg to differ.

So, what is a vignette?

"Vignette" is a word that originally meant "something that may be written on a vine-leaf." It’s a snapshot in words. It differs from flash fiction or a short story in that its aim doesn’t lie within the traditional realms of structure or plot. Instead, the vignette focuses on one element, mood, character, setting or object. It's descriptive, excellent for character or theme exploration and wordplay. Through a vignette, you create an atmosphere.

Vine Leaves, will entwine you in atmosphere; wrap you in a world where literature ferments and then matures …

I've just got to share my favourite definition:

A vignette stands on its own like an individual piece of chocolate in a box of chocolates, each looking pretty and irresistible in its own tiny compartment.

(This quote found in the second link at the end of this post.)

Source: digikids09

Here is my story for the journal:

Emerald Fields and Black Rain

by Denise Covey

Ciara sat on the verandah fanning herself with Pregnancy Today, wilting, weary in the Australian heatwave. She’d just read how being pregnant had raised her body temperature by less than one degree. Pfutt! She’d like that doctor to see her now, every pore oozing!

She leaned back in the squatter’s chair, feeling snoozy. She guzzled her iced water, dripping cubes over her face.

No more Doctor Know-It-All!

She tossed the magazine onto the floor, picked up her latest fantasy novel and scanned a random page. Princess Edane was swooping her away to a cooler, misty clime, when she heard a sharp snap. She sat up, alert. Her book fell from her fingers and clumped beside the chair.

She heard David’s voice booming all around her with his cautionary tales: You can’t be too careful Ciara. Always be on the lookout Ciara. The Australian bush can be treacherous Ciara.

Well, the sky had been a washed-out blue all morning, now it was a hazy grey, but otherwise nothing had changed. A koala in the giant eucalyptus perhaps, jumping from branch to branch? On the tree David had wanted to cut down because he thought it was too close to the house. No way. She loved how it shielded the hot corrugated iron roof from the blazing midday sun. He’ll cut it down over my dead body!

She settled back in her chair, grabbed a cushion and placed it behind her head. Ah, what else can I do but sleep? Too hot to do housework, too hot to bake, too hot to garden. Her eyelids felt heavy, County Armagh’s emerald fields were beckoning … then the rustling began.

Was it a faery creature come to whisk her home? She stirred and smiled, keeping her eyes shut lest the faery disappear from her dreams. Maybe a breeze was coming up? She lived in hope. God, why did I move here from the mists of Ireland? Hmm. David, that’s why—my darlin’ Aussie bloke…

***

Snap.

Snap!

Ciara woke to the noise. She gasped for breath, but the air had gone away. Her face was wet, her body slick and oily. Pain burned her mouth and chest. Her hair sizzled around her face, an electrified heated cap.

She pushed herself to her feet and staggered to the verandah rail, one hand clutching her heaving chest and the other holding her swollen stomach.

God oh God oh God! Dante’s Inferno! A living painting of grey mist, orange dancing fingers and black swirling shapes. She heard the screeching wail of a runaway train coming closer, closer, then the collision.

A monstrous wall of flame threw her against the wall like she was faery dust. Her back scorched, cinders scattered the blackened sky and fell onto her body like black rain.

©DeniseCovey2011

Vine Leaves will be downloadable in PDF format, for free, at the following link on Friday January 6th:

http://www.vineleavesliteraryjournal.com/issue-01-jan-2012.html

"We are also looking into making the journal available through Smashwords, so that those who wish to use an e-reader will be able to do so. Stay tuned!"

There is a list of contributors for Issue #1 here.

Vine Leaves Blog is here. Check out Guidelines/Submissions.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vineleaves.literaryjournal

Twitter: @VineLeavesLJ

If you'd like to submit to Vine Leaves, here are the submission periods:

Submission Periods ...

January Issue: October 1st – December 1st

April Issue: January 1st – March 1st

July Issue: April 1st – June 1st

October Issue: July 1st – September 1st

Any submissions received outside of these dates will be deleted, unread.

Issues go live on the first Friday of every publishing month.

Now if you've never written a vignette before (you probably have, but didn't know it), here are a couple of great links I found:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2060077_write-vignette.html HOW TO WRITE A VIGNETTE with examples of varying forms.
http://www.how-to-write-anything.com/vignette.html

Let's go meet our writing goals.

Insecure Writers Support Group. I feel attracted to writing...

2012-01-04T06:57:00.001+10:00

"If writing's therapy, let it work for you. It can't do any harm. It will do you good. It does me good. I feel attracted to writing. Maybe an odd term, but it fits. Writing attracts me, the mystery of it, the way words fit together on a page to make an image or a point or just to be there, sounding.

Seeing my own words on the page is thrilling. There's a wonderful kind of conceit in reading them, knowing they're mine. Part of that terrifies me because it's so incredibly exciting. For so much of my life I've turned away, backed away, hidden away from anything that's frightening. Even when it's thrilling as well.
I want to feel substantial again. I yearn for confidence. And under it all, I have a deep and nearly crushed-out delight in the fantastic. How it was nearly crushed and by whom isn't really important here. Not now that I find the glimmer of it's still there, inside me. Enough of a glimmer for me to be able to write, at least in secret..."

Aren't these inspiring words? They say exactly what I want to say but so much better! I give all credit to Nora Roberts for this little extract, the inner thoughts of her character Jude in the enchanting novel I read recently, Jewels of the Sun, the first in her Irish Jewels Trilogy. (I'm off to get my hands on Tears of the Moon and Heart of the Sea now.

Thanks Nora. You're always inspirational.

I hope you feel pumped after reading my extract. What's stopping you writing? Have you overcome your self-doubt, or does self-doubt still pull up a chair when you sit down to write?

To read more posts from Alex J Cavanaugh's Insecure Writers Support Group click on the badge.

#RomanticFridayWriters - Challenge No 28- My story, 'Ties That Bind'. My Demon Spirit's Contest.

2011-12-30T16:48:00.000+10:00

Interested in a Short Story Pitch contest? See next post...

My post today is doing double duty. My Demon Spirits was looking for more entries for her Spreading Holiday Cheer Story Contest which closes tomorrow 31st, so I'm making my #RomanticFridayWriters story fit the submission guidelines as well.

Demon's Guidelines: (Read more here...)

I want to read your most original, scary oruplifting holiday story (I like both, so since this is my contest - I figure I'll make you write what I like to read!). Now, notice I didn't say "Christmas"; it can be ANY holiday you celebrate! It does NOT have to be a holiday that occurs in winter months. The entry can be no more than 500 words.

So here is my story:

TIES THAT BIND

Even hassling through airport security I was thrilled to be home; happiness bubbled around me like spilled champagne.

‘Home for the holidays?’
‘Si.’

‘No place like home, si, especially at Christmas?’

‘Si.’

I wasn’t going to share misery with my fellow travellers. Wasn’t telling them of the lover who’d abandoned me in the cold Connecticut snow. Wasn’t sharing how he’d snatched the diamond from my finger and flown off, the miserable excuse for a human being.

Ah! Peace and goodwill all around. Forget him and his shifty ways!

The taxi dashed through the gauzy light, past fountains of serpents that tossed bouquets of diamonds at me.

The Via dei Fori Imperiali dazzled with flickering coloured lights. I could see the Piazza Venezia just a blink away.

‘Stop!’

Laughing at the terrified driver, I threw some euros into the air and headed for home. Fifteen minutes before the gates clanged shut. The pesky tourists would be gone.

The Roman Forum – twilight - air tinged with bluish shadowy light playing on ancient stone pillars rising into the darkening sky. Ahhhhh.

I drifted inside the gates; the Senate and the basilicas winked at me, shimmering with glory of times past. I hailed ghostly figures as they darted through slick cobbled avenues on the Palatine Hill, plotting assassinations and planning world domination.

I was lost in the arches, the Colosseum, the monuments. They whispered to me of how time layered over everything, cemented in the gaps, repaired the cracks and broken bits.

Every stone glowed in the murky haze, every patch of moss shone a spiky blackish-green, with little fingers clinging to edges like mountaineers unroped and fallen.

I surveyed my pleasure garden sitting snugly in its bowl overlooked by the imperious Hills of Rome.

The Forum was my own ruined city, my lover who’d never let me go.

One look at me and the visitors hurtled to the Colosseum exit. I wished them a sly ‘Godspeed’ then sauntered further into the twilight.

Darkness shadows the sky

The Forum is silent

but I hear beating hearts

inside these ancient walls

I dance on the cobblestones - tap, tap, tap.

This is home. High five!

Not Connecticut. Twist and shout!

Humans always ponder broken relationships.

Can time layer over the breaks, the bitterness?

Can time cement the gaps?
Yes, if you hang around long enough, mwhahhahh!

I salute the Praetorian Guard, click my heels, draw my cloak closer and float with my ghosts.

God I love this place.

©DeniseCovey2011

Image source: theethicalscumbag.blogspot.com

RomanticFridayWriters is a fortnightly meme.
Submissions of prose and poetry of 400 words or less on a given theme.
Some sort of romantic element in story.
All writers welcome!

Word count: 413
Full Critique Acceptable - go for your life! I had fun!

Challenge yourself to write a short story, well, a pretty long short story, for a chance to get publisher feedback or a request.

2011-12-29T10:48:00.001+10:00

The Best Reason to Challenge Yourself with a Short Story:

Announcing the Pitch Your Shorts online pitch session!

Several editors from Entangled Publishing will be visiting Jami Gold's blog in the second week of January to take pitches for shorter length works. They’re interested in stories with strong romantic elements that end in a “happily ever after” or a “happily for now.” They’re looking for stories in the 10-60K word range and are open to many genres:

Contemporary
Historical
Romantic Thrillers
Science Fiction, Dystopian, Steampunk
Paranormal and Urban Fantasy
Fantasy

If you have stories already completed that would fit those guidelines, get them polished. If you have ideas along those lines or if you’ve thought about attempting a short story, get writing. (Another great thing about short stories is they’re quick to write and revise.)

The editors have promised they’ll make at least one request from those who pitch on Jami's blog, and for the pitch that excites them the most, they’ll offer detailed feedback.

Do you notice that phrase: “they’ll make at least one request”? That means this isn’t a contest, where only one pitch can win. This is more like a writing conference, where editors can request every pitch that interests them. Yes, really.

This is a fantastic opportunity, and I want you all to consider pitching something. I’m asking for you to help spread the word about this so everyone has time to get something ready. I love helping my friends and readers out, and this could be a way to start a publishing career, experiment with a new genre/point-of-view/verb tense, or try out a new format.

Even if you consider yourself a novel writer, try writing a short story for this pitch session. Get a head start on a New Year’s Resolution to work toward a publishing credit with a buzz-worthy publisher. Plus, this is a chance to improve our skills. In one shot, we can practice our structure, learn how to write a short story, pitch to several editors, and have a chance at a request and/or feedback. How cool is that?

Mark your calendar: Pitch Your Shorts will begin January 10th

Have you written a short story before? Have you ever developed a short story into a longer one? Is it easier for you to see story structure in shorter works? Will you be preparing a short story for Pitch Your Shorts? (Please say yes!)

Excited? Spread the word!

Santa Fest Gift - Little Tug to the Rescue with original painting

2011-12-26T10:24:00.002+10:00

I participated in the Santa Fest where bloggers sent each other unique gifts anonymously. Today I received my gift, an original story, Little Tug to the Rescue. The illustration is an original painting by the author. It was beautiful to receive and read so I thought I'd share it with you.

Thank you Dear Blogger for the wonderful story and painting!

Merry Christmas!

Little Tug To The Rescue

Little Tug lives in the Hidden Harbour at the end of Long Road in Seatown. Although he is very small, he’s also very strong and important.

Every day whether rainy or sunny, windy or snowy Little Tug is hard at work. He pulls and pushes, shoves and budges the giant ships out of the harbour and into the Wide Open Sea.

At the end of one very long day, Little Tug chugged up to the harbour mouth pulling his last Giant Ship of the day. When he’d finished he let out a great big sigh.

“What’s the matter Little Tug?” came Sid the Seagull’s voice from far above his head.

“I’m tired of pushing and pulling, shoving and budging all day long. I want to go and explore the Wide Open Sea”

“Then why don’t you go on an adventure?” asked Sid, coming to sit on Little Tug’s head.

“I don’t want to go on my own,” said Little Tug, looking sad. “The Giant Ships always keep me company when I leave the harbour. Without them I’d be lonely.”

“I’ll come with you,” said Sid. “Let’s go exploring.”

So, later that evening as the first of the stars appeared in the sky, Little Tug and Sid the Seagull set off out to sea.

They sailed and they chugged and soon they had left the harbour far behind them.

Soon, they had been bobbing along for such a long time that the sky had filled with stars, and they had both fallen fast asleep.

‘Help!’ Little Tug woke with a start. It was morning already.

“Did you hear that Sid?” asked little Tug

‘W-h-a-t?’ yawned Sid, stretching in the sunshine.

‘HELP!’

‘That!’ said Little Tug.

“I sure did,” said Sid, “Come on, let’s go and investigate.”

“HELP!”

I think we’re getting close! Said Little Tug, spotting a small island. The island had a beach. On the beach was a Big Boat all on its own.

“Did you shout for help?” asked Sid, flying over and landing on the Big Boat.

“Yes I did.”

“Oh dear,” said Sid

“What’s the matter?” asked Little Tug kindly.

“A storm came, and a great big wave carried me here. And now I’m stuck on this beach.”

“Oh dear, oh dear!” said Sid again.

“Don’t worry Big Boat, I’ve got a plan to rescue you.”

Big Boat stopped sobbing and he and Sid the Seagull listened closely as Little Tug explained his clever plan.

“Do you think this will work?” asked Sid

“Of course it will work., said Little Tug.

“I sure hope it works,” sighed Big Boat. “I’ve been stuck here for far too long. Let’s give it a go.”

Sid swooped over to Little Tug and took one of his ropes in his beak. Then he flew back to the island and tied the end of the rope tightly to Big Boat.

“Ready?” asked Little Tug.

“Ready! Cried Big Boat.

“Go Go Go,” shrieked Sid.

Little Tug pulled and pulled...

But the Big Boat wouldn’t budge.

“I’m still stuck,” sighed the Big Boat.

“Oh dear,” said Sid.

“I need more help!” puffed Little Tug. “Grab the rope Sid.”

Sid wrapped his beak around the rope and got ready to pull with all his strength.

“Ready?” asked Little Tug.

“Ready!” cried Big Boat

“Mrph,” muttered Sid through a beak-full of rope.

And they both pulled and pulled... but still the Big Boat wouldn’t budge.

“I’m going to be stuck forever,” panicked Big Boat.

“Oh dear, oh dear!” worried Sid.

“I’m going to need even more help,” puffed Little Tug.

“I have an idea,” said Sid. “I’ll be back soon, wait here.” And off he flew as fast as his wings could flap. Soon he was just a speck in the distance.

Before too long, they could see him again... and as he came closer, and closer, they could see that he wasn’t alone.

“I’m back!” said Sid, landing on Little Tug’s head, “and I’ve brought more help. This is Wanda the Whale. Wanda this is Little Tug, and that is poor old Big Boat.”

“Hello!” said Wanda. ‘As soon as Sid said that you were stuck, I wanted to help – come on everybody, let’s give it a go!”

Sid tied a loop in a second rope and dropped this over Wanda’s head. Then he flew onto the island and tied the other end to Big Boat.

“Ready?” asked Little Tug

“Ready.” Said Big Boat.

“Mrph!” muttered Sid, taking up the rope in his beak again.

“Glub!” spluttered Wanda from under the water.

They all pulled and pulled

And pulled some more

And slowly, slowly

Big Boat started to slip... and slide

And finally SPLOOSH!

“You did it!” cried big Boat, “I’m not stuck anymore, I’ back sailing in the sea!”

“Yipee!” shouted Little Tug

“Woopee doo!” bubbled Wanda

“Hurray!” flapped Sid, swooping a loop the loop.

“Thank you so much everyone!” said Big Boat, happy to finally be free.

“Is there anything I can do for you in return?”

“Actually, Sid and I are a little bit lost. We drifted off to sleep and bobbed far away from our home at Hidden Harbour. Do you know the way back there?”

“Yes I do!” replied Big Boat excitedly, “That’s where I was headed before I got washed up here – I’ll show you the way home.”

“I think I’d better come with you too” said Wanda, “just in case of any more storms – I can’t be having you all washed up on this island again!”

And so they set off in one long line – Big boat leading the way, followed by Little Tug, followed by Sid, followed by Wanda bringing up the rear.

And as they splooshed and swooped along as the sun climbed high in the sky and then dipped back down into the sea.

Finally, just as the first new stars appeared in the sky, they reached the mouth of the Hidden Harbour.

“Here we are at last,” said Big Boat.

“Phew, I’m pooped!” said Little Tug

“I’m starving,” said Sid

“Now I’ve seen you safely home, I’ll say goodnight. See you soon everyone.”

“Good bye. Thank you” they all called as Wanda splashed away.

What an amazing adventure, sighed Sid

“Wasn’t it?!” said Little Tug, The Giant ships will never believe me when I tell them in the morning.

Thank you to whoever wrote this for my Santa Fest gift! I hope all my readers enjoyed the tale. Did you?

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-25T08:35:00.000+10:00

Have a great day! The sun is shining here at the beach. A cool summer's day. The best. How is it at your place?
Enjoy yummy food and drink, family and friends.

Short of recipes. Try my Toblerone Cheesecake and cocktail below!

Two of the best Christmas recipes ever - Toblerone Cheesecake and Toblerone Cocktail...yum...

2011-12-22T08:26:00.003+10:00

On Boxing Day I'll need to sit on the elf seat at the beach and think about
New Year's Resolutions re food and drink, lol!

Well there are so many serious posts out there for you to read, but I thought I'd lighten up the atmosphere and try to fatten you all up with a couple of absolutely delicious Christmas recipes fitting for an Aussie Christmas at the beach. I don't know, maybe if you're snowed in you could make the Toblerone Cocktail by scooping up a cup of snow? And you don't have to worry about keeping your glasses chilled, lol! And cheesecake is good to go any time of year, isn't it?

I posted both these recipes to rave reviews last year and some bloggers contacted me to say they'd actually made and enjoyed them so much. So I thought I'd share them again in case you weren't around last year.

Here are my two favourite Christmas recipes (apologies to Weight Watchers) we'll be enjoying again on Christmas night as we listen to the Pacific Ocean roar.

TOBLERONE CHEESECAKE

Ingredients:

1 cup plain chocolate biscuit crumbs

1/2 cup caster sugar (I no longer add sugar. You don't need it!)
1/2 cup thickened cream
1/4 cup ground almonds
200g TOBLERONE Milk or Dark Chocolate for shaving
200g TOBLERONE Milk or Dark Chocolate, melted
500g block PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
80g butter, melted

Instructions:

Combine biscuit crumbs, butter and almonds, press into the base of a lightly greased 20cm springform pan. Chill.

Beat PHILADELPHIA and sugar using an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the melted Toblerone and cream until well combined.

Pour onto the prepared crumb base and refrigerate 2 to 3 hours until set, or overnight. Serve topped with the TOBLERONE shavings.

This only takes about 15 minutes to prepare. I always bring it along when asked to provide dessert.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOBLERONE COCKTAIL

We like to make what we call a Toblerone (like a mudslide) for after Christmas Tea. It makes a delicious change after all the wine or whatever you've been sipping during the day along with the odd majito or two! And it really takes the place of dessert.

In a blender throw some icy cold milk, a few scoops of vanilla ice cream, shots of any liquor you have left - (Tia Maria, Kahlua, Frangelico, Cointreau, Bailey's Irish Creme - get the drift - not all!! but you need the Bailey's and about three others), whizz for a bit. Get some parfait glasses or somesuch out of the freezer (or snow, lol!)

Artistically drizzle (if you can keep your hand steady by this stage) melted Cadbury's chocolate or Toblerone chocolate or at the very least, chocolate sauce, around the inside of the glass (do you like my Eiffel Tower?), then gently pour in the mix. Top with whipped cream if you're absolutely disgusting! And why not some hunks of Toblerone or chocolate sauce if you're determined to milk this for all it's worth!

Sip reverently.

All right now! Can you beat that? Tell me please, what is your favourite Christmas recipe???

PS The next two posts are also Aussie Christmas related...

Happy Christmas!

A leisurely Christmas stroll through Brisbane. Sparkly summer pics from me to you.

2011-12-19T16:16:00.010+10:00

Sorry if you've already come by to see my pics. Google has been playing up and I had to re-do the pics more than once! I hope they're okay now...
Judging by the comments from my previous Christmas in Australia post I see many of you are quite interested in a Down Under Christmas. When I was zipping around the Queen Street Mall in the inner city yesterday doing some last-minute shopping, I took a few pics to share with you. I hope you enjoy this little trip around my neighbourhood.

Let's start the Christmas season with lots of Santas running to raise money for sick children. Well, these stragglers with children in prams were strolling to the finish line. They sweltered in their Santa suits but still got into the spirit and raised thousands of dollars for sick children.

My favourite poinciana tree which was under flood water last year. This is my bridge where I walk from where I live amongst the highrises across to the Cultural Centre and South Bank.

Okay, the Queen Street Mall. Right up the centre are restaurants and entertainment areas. During the Christmas season choirs from near and far come to sing our favourite Christmas songs.

There's always an angel watching over us.

Another entertainment venue. Here we have a string ensemble and little children from the crowd
having a go at some hymns.

The window displays at Myer are always popular. How could you explain to your

kids what some of the wacky displays mean?

Well, Santa comes from a long way away. Will he find our town right Down Under?

So I needed a fresh juice after all that camera work and shopping. Now who's this at my favourite juice bar? You just never know what you'll see around Christmas in the Mall.

Hope you enjoyed your little stroll through Brisbane. It's another beautiful summer's day here and I'm continuing to prepare for a beach Christmas. I hope you enjoy your log fires, eggnog, shovelling snow, real Christmas trees with real snow, while I enjoy sunning and surfing and eating and drinking.

Happy Christmas everyone!

Déjà Vu Blogfest - re-posting that underexposed blog post.

2011-12-16T08:14:00.003+10:00

Two blogfests in one day! If you're looking for my RomanticFridayWriters Sparkle! story, it's the next post down.

Thanks to D. L. Hammons: Nicole, Lydia and Katie for co-hosting

Well the Déjà Vu Blogfest is all about re-posting either a favourite blog post or one that you thought didn't get the exposure it deserved. Well, I have plenty that no-one read when I had about 5 followers, but I'd like to share this one with you, not that I think it's the best post I've ever written but just because it's nearly Christmas again. This post is from December 2009:

Christmas in Australia

Been reading the blogs I follow and a few Christmas stories are trickling through, enough to highlight the difference between a Northern Hemisphere Christmas and a Southern one.

In Oz we have been suffering extreme heatwaves (40+C in some parts), bushfires (already!), floods (although I see England had a bit of a one), drought (in my area) and endless debates on Climate Change and Global Warming causing it all.

We're on our third leader of the Opposition and all due to Global Warming. All shaping up to the usual ding dong Aussie Christmas that we love so well, when the pollies (politicians) take a holiday like the rest of us. Peace at last!

The last few Christmasas I've managed to be in the Northern Hemisphere struggling through blizzards in Belgium and Luxembourg and driving on snowy roads in France, not to mention being frozen in London. What is worse? Too hot or too cold?

I'm about to become reaquainted with the lovely Aussie Christmas!

For many years in Oz we have struggled with the ridiculous idea of cooking a roast dinner in 30+C heat, but thankfully that is one of our British Empire traditions that has mostly found its way to the archives of modern history - now we go for prawns and lots of other delicious seafood, salads, wonderful tapas and chilled trifle or cheesecakes for dessert.

Thanks to another British import - MasterChef (which I first discovered when I was in London a few years ago) - Australians have upped their expectations of food. We have our own home-grown MasterChef television series and now we are now ALL masterchefs. The show has taken Oz by storm. We are out trawling the Farmers' Markets and Gourmet Delis to plate up the freshest and finest for our loved ones. So it ain't half bad!

Well and I managed fine getting the Chrissy deckies up yesterday - no lofts to climb, no dreaded lurgy laying me low in high summer as I've read on the English blogs, just a few boxes to get out of the backs of cupboards and bingo! Lights and colour.

I'm completely addicted to fairy lights, especially the twinkly variety, so all the extra heat is going to add to the already warm temp and I'm going to have to crank up the air-con. What was that I was saying about Global Warming? Who's responsible? It is me after all...

Merry Christmas everyone!

An Oz Christmas is hard to beat - gorgeous beaches, swimming pools everywhere, resort holidays, watersports....and prawns...bring it on!

Click on the Deja Vu image to read more recycled posts.

What does your Christmas look like?

Santa image courtesey Mumbiakar.com

#RomanticFridayWriters - Challenge No 27- My story, 'Sparkle!'

2011-12-15T11:25:00.002+10:00

#RomanticFridayWriters is now a twice-monthly blogfest started by yours truly, where writers post a poem or flash fiction piece with a word count of 400 words and under on a given theme. This week's theme is Sparkle! The challenge is open to anyone wishing to take part in a friendly writing exercise, show off an excerpt from a WIP, or just have some writing fun. However there must be some romantic element - in this you are invited to think outside the square. We know romance is more than just chocolates and roses. Are you in love with your car, your new dress, the place where you were born?

Mine is posted early this week as I'm incommunicado tomorrow. Click on the #RomanticFridayWriters link above or in my right-hand sidebar to read more Sparkle! stories...

It was many long years ago on a cold winter’s night in Yellow Springs, Ohio, that Serena first tasted the power of Christmas lights. Their brash sparkle entranced her, she who had never before seen such a display. She drove up and down the magical street in her borrowed car, marvelling at the fairyland of twinkling lights.

‘There’s a spirit behind those lights,’ she thought. ‘They’re an expression of Christmas, a gift to anybody who drives past.’ Well, nobody could walk past here in Yellow Springs, it’s absolutely freezing!

She returned to her hometown in Australia with a plan. The plan would feature her little tree in the garden, the one she’d planted when her beloved Kev died. ‘I’m going to put lights on you, little tree. You’re going to add some sparkle to this town. Every time I see you twinkling away, I’ll think of Kevvie.’

Christmas couldn’t come soon enough for Serena. Usually she dreaded Christmas. She had no family. No one to share the ‘festive’ season with, but that was about to change.

Serena was amazed at the effect of her first little Christmas Lights display. Neighbours she’d never met came walking by (Christmas in Australia is hot, very hot). They exclaimed over the baubles glistening in the summer’s night and vowed they would add some sparkle next Christmas.

Serena eagerly awaited next Christmas to see if their proclamations bore fruitl. She’d enjoyed the year, taking morning tea with the ladies in the street, but best of all she’d met Sam, the tree man. Her little tree had grown so fast that it needed trimming, so neighbourly Sam had attended to the task.

Every Christmas now the gardens in her street transformed into beauties, a sight to behold. Weeks before Christmas there were baubles on gum trees, fairy lights bedecking houses and bushes, talking donkeys and life-sized nativity scenes. Serena saw each and every sparkly house and was thankful.

The little cedar tree that had housed her first Christmas lights was now magnificent, towering over the whole yard. Sam helped her put the finishing touches to her latest display.

Together they hit the ON switch.Woo hoo!

Her roof, balcony and tree glowed with strings of bulbs, flashing, dancing, enthralling.

‘Look!’ someone cried.

The cedartree. Red flickering lights read: ‘Serena, marry me?’

Serena hugged Sam as warmly as a humid Australian December night would allow.

‘Yes!’

‘Aaahhh!’ exclaimed the neighbours, clapping loudly.

©DeniseCovey2011

How did you like my little fairy tale?

Word count: 402 - MPA - this is just a fun story. No need to go crazy with critiquing. Please leave a comment.

Next challenge. Check it out.

Guess my character's age blogfest! Can you suggest improvements?

2011-12-09T11:55:00.001+10:00

If you're looking for my book review post, it's the next one down!

Guess my character's age blogfest!

Brenda Drake is hosting a blogfest!Here are her instructions:

Post the first 250 words of your finished, or not quite finished, manuscript (any genre) to your blog. This contest is about voice--whether or not your character's voice matches his or her's age. So if you mention the age or school grade in the first 250 words, please edit it out or block it out for this contest. Don't list the genre or title on your posts. If your 250 words falls in the middle of a sentence, continue to the end of the sentence.

From December 8th-9th hop around each others' blogs and try to guess the age of the character, give critiques, or praise. Revise your entries, if you want, and email them to me by 11:59PM (EST) December 10th. (If you want, you may skip the blogfest/critique portion of this contest and just enter the contest.)

The winners will be chosen from the list of twenty semi-finalists by our fantabulous guest judge ...

Gabriela Lessa, editor

Here is my 257 word beginning of revised Chapter One of my first NaNo novel. How old is Ruby?

The moment Ruby stepped outside the observation lounge she saw him.

He was leaning against the deck rail watching the humpbacks. Mon dieu! The glorious creatures frolicking in the Pacific waters took her breath away, but the sight of the captain in his white uniform delivered the knockout blow.

He turned, saw her and smiled. She was lost in eyes that had the ocean in their depths. His long lashes were the colour of sand, no doubt bleached by days at sea. Blond curls peeked from under his captain's hat.

She stepped towards him.

A wave slapped against the boat, spraying them in froth. ‘Merde!’ Ruby yelped as she slipped, sliding towards the rail.

He was beside her in an instant. ‘Steady on!’ He lifted her, drawing her towards him in one smooth movement.

‘Thanks.’ Ruby laughed as she wobbled in his arms, glad she hadn’t sprawled on the deck and landed at his feet, although that could have been interesting.

‘You okay?’ he asked, leading her to the deck rail.

‘Yes. Foolish of me. Sorry.’

‘Nothing to be sorry about. Decks can be deadly. I’m glad I was here to help.’

‘So am I. You’ve no idea.’

He laughed, a rollicking sound, perfect in the primeval setting of ocean and whales. ‘What a glorious day.’

‘Oui, yes, it is very beautiful.’

‘Oh, you dropped something,’ Ruby said, reaching for a small book lying in the puddle at her feet. She turned it over.

‘Aha, Moby Dick. What else would the captain of a whaling boat read?’

Critique, comments, suggested improvements welcome!

Aussie's Hot Reads - The Swallows of Kabul, Her Favoured Captain, The Legend of Victor Standish and Build a Man.

2011-12-09T07:03:00.000+10:00

Apologies if you came by to read my Insecure Writers post, but I just couldn't cut it this week with all the demands on my time. Next time...I've enjoyed reading yours, though.

My book reviews, promised and voluntary, are backing up so I'm telling you about 4 marvellous reads today just in case you're still considering your book buys for Christmas gifts or for holiday reading for yourself. What do you know? Amazon is offering free postage to Australia for once! That sure helps!

Cheery, I know, but I just watched as a person who'd just left this world and was taken away from Brisbane Square on a stretcher, just outside my library window. A sad event, rarely seen in Brisbane, but very common in some war-torn countries. During my research for my Afghani novel, I've read some wonderful, wonderful non-fiction and fiction (often based on real events.) I've already mentioned one or two. Here is the little gem that got me started:

The Swallows of Kabul, Yasmina Khadra. (Translated from the French).

It is written with relentless poetic passion right from the first sentence:

"In the middle of nowhere, a whirlwind spins like a sorceress flinging out her skirts in a macabre dance; yet not even this hysteria serves to blow the dust off the calcified palm trees thrust against the sky like beseeching arms."

Set in Kabul under the brutal rule of the Taliban, this is an extraordinary novel. It takes readers into the lives of two couples. Mohsen comes from a family of wealthy shopkeepers whom the Taliban have destroyed; Zunaira, his beautiful wife, once a brilliant teacher, is now no longer allowed to leave her home without her mahram (male relative) or without donning the full chadari (burqa). Then there is Atiq, a prison keeper who has secretly adopted the Taliban ideology and struggles to align these beliefs with his faith. His wife Musarrat is now dying of sickness and despair. Mohsen wanders aimlessly throughout much of the book, as there isn't a lot to do under the Taliban, where Kabul is as silent as an unscreamed scream - no music, no theatre, no kite flying, no school, no laughing. During one of his wanders, Mohsen is drawn into the hysteria of an execution and to his shame he joins in the stone throwing, killing a desperate woman. This is the catalyst that propels all four people to their destinies. There are many unforgettable scenes in this book, but there is one that I'll never forget and it has to do with the executions and women in burqas. What a twist! What a dazzling novel!

Available from Amazon for $10.91
***

Her Favoured Captain, Francine Howarth.

Francine Howarth's 'Her Favoured Captain' is not your usual historical romp with formulaic plots involving stunningly handsome heroes and heroines. It is a delightful short read, ideal for that trip on the train, but hold the blushes. The plot is not altogether unique, but the telling is, as the author captures a speech truly historical. It has been said that Francine’s stories could be likened to Stephanie Lauren's. Her style is different and the dialogue sharp and undeniably romantic throughout the story. The innocent, loyal and brave Lady Emerald is awaiting her fate - to be married to a nobleman, as yet unknown to her in order to pay for her brother's debts. Positively medieval, right? But while awaiting her fate, the lady happens upon a mysterious buccaneer, who first steals her kisses, then her heart. A great read for lovers of period romance. I’m looking forward to reading Francine’s latest, Scandalous Whispers.

Available on Amazon Kindle for $1.55

***

The Legend of Victor Standish, Roland Yeomans.

In Roland's own words:

No one talks openly of the misty figures seen walking along New Orleans' iron-laced terraces, casting no shadow. Of the shapes seen rising from sewer grates. And no one willingly visits the crypt of Marie Laveau at midnight. Into this strange world arrives the street orphan, Victor Standish, from Charon's Greyhound. Charon has to keep up with the times ... the End Times. And the teen destined to be called the "Ulysses of the French Quarter" has come just in time for Hurricane Katrina, the End of All Things ... and the deadly love of the Victorian ghoul, Alice Wentworth.

Anyone who’s been fortunate enough to read one or more of blogger/author Roland Yeoman's books or extracts will know what it’s like to be dazzled by his lyrical prose. Roland crafts his characters with flair, drawing the reader instantly into a world that resonates with the senses. His characters in The Legend of Victor Standish are no exception. I was drawn into Victor’s strange world right from the start when he alighted from the bus thanks to his neglectful mother. But the teenage street kid has landed on the mean streets of New Orleans, the most haunted city in America. He befriends a woman called Old Suze, who leads him to Captain Sam McCord and a Ghoul named Alice. Hang on as you are taken on a wild ride, with Victor constantly facing certain death. He reacts with surprising skills of his own amongst a cast of characters – historical, literary and mythical.

For fans of Victor Standish, Roland has already published a sequel, The Legend of Victor Standish, Under a Voodoo Moon.

The Legend of Victor Standish is available on Amazon Kindle for $2.99.

***

Build A Man by Talli Roland
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: 5th November 2011
Rating: 5/5
Books in “Serenity Holland” series: Build A Man (#1) | Construct A Couple (#2)
Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US
Amazon Summary:

Slave to the rich, rude and deluded, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland longs for the day she’s a high-flying tabloid reporter. Unfortunately, every pitch she sends out disappears like her clients’ liposuctioned fat, never to be seen again. Then she meets Jeremy Ritchie — the hang-dog man determined to be Britain’s Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe and everything in between — giving Serenity a story no editor could resist.

With London’s biggest tabloid on board and her very own column tracking Jeremy’s progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be a success, even going undercover to gain intimate access to Jeremy’s life. But when Jeremy’s surgery goes drastically wrong and Serenity is ordered to cover all the car-crash goriness, she must decide how far she really will go for her dream job.

This is Talli Roland’s third novel published in 2011. All a riot and all best sellers. (Need promo tips? See Talli!) Her debut novel The Hating Game was great, better I think than her second novel Watching Willow Watts, but her third, Build A Man did not disappoint.

Build a Man grabbed me from the start and the character Serenity Holland was entertaining to the end as she tried hard to become more than a boring old receptionist. She’s an aspiring tabloid journalist. Quite a dilemma but she finds a way. Serenity uses her receptionist position at a cosmetic clinic to get into journalism. She goes “undercover” when a client named Jeremy decides to have his entire body cosmetically altered. Serenity is a likeable character and didn’t just use Jeremy; they became friendlier with each other as the story progressed.

I’ve read comments where readers were surprised that Talli changed from third-person narrative to first-person narrative for Build a Man, but the book suits this POV. It’s a novel to fly through, and I didn’t find myself paying attention to technical details – I was just enjoying the tale. Despite Serenity’s antics, I liked her, she was such fun - enthusiastic, seemingly happy and upbeat. But I didn’t know what to expect from Jeremy – like who needs total cosmetic surgery? You’ve got to be kidding. But Jeremy was a surprising character as the reader comes to see that he just wanted to become something more than himself after being hurt previously. He was very likeable, unlike Serenity’s uninspiring boyfriend, Peter.

Like Talli’s previous two books, Build a Man was warm and humourous, but it wasn’t all sweetness and light. The ending was as I expected which made me happy. I have a mountainous TBR list, yet I’m looking forward to the sequel, Construct A Couple, coming out.

I hope you enjoyed my quick reviews. What have you been reading lately?

Madeleine's Riddled with Cliches Blogfest - The Return of Slasher, the Mighty Crocodile-in-Waiting!

2011-12-05T11:40:00.003+10:00

From Madeleine's site

Thanks

Madeleine for hosting this intriguing blogfest. Hand me a pocketful of cliches and I'm ready to sling them about, pepper my stories...Some of these cliches are peculiarly Australian but I've included a Glossary so you can fully appreciate the grossness of this violent and uncaring prose. I've published this story a long time ago, but it'll be new to most of you.

You know what they say, the world's not going to end today - it's already tomorrow in Australia, so as it's Dec 5, nearly midday, I'm publishing my story in hopes that I might encourage some more takers as Madeleine hasn't had many sign ups for her blogfest. C'mon, the more the merrier! I'm always up for a laugh and I hope you get one here...

The Return of Slasher, the Mighty Crocodile-in-Waiting

‘What are we going to do with Slasher?’ Baggie asked. ‘He’s off his food lately.’

‘Fair dinkum, Bags, you are a typical first-time mother. You worry too much.’ Ferrous replied.

‘Yes, Ferrie, but he looks like he’s losing weight. It’s a medical condition. It’s called ‘failure to thrive.’’

‘Oh, fiddle-de-di, Baggie! Let the kid eat grass for all I care. He’ll get over it. There's no vegemite sangers here. He’d better get over his fussing if he’s going to be a part of this family.’

Ferrous stomped his fat feet and shot away. He couldn’t stand his whiny female at times. She drove him to the drink.

Baggie tried again. ‘Come here Slasher,’ she cooed. The poor little kid had been hiding in the bushes, listening to every uncaring word his father had sprouted.

Her tiny son poked his dirty pointy nose from under the jagged grass.

‘Oh, mummy, I’m sorry, but I just don’t like that food you give me. It’s too tough. It tastes like shoe leather.’

‘Food’s in short supply at the moment Slashie. You know how I told you about the domino effect?’

‘Y..e..s, I remember. But what has tough food got to do with playing dominoes?’

‘Well, our main food supply is reliant on the tourist industry. Now, listen up,’ she scolded as Slasher began to wriggle away, bored at the lecture that he knew was coming. Sometimes his mother was like a broken record. No wonder his father spent all his time in the drink.

His mother continued, regardless. Such a one-eyed mother! ‘No tourists, Slasher, affects our food economy. It means not much tucker on the table. We have to eat from the leftovers we’ve put up in the boom time.’

‘So now we’re in bust times, aren’t we Mummy?’ He thought about it, ‘But why aren’t the tourists coming, Mummy? You said Australia’s economy is pretty strong compared to the rest of the world. You told me only yesterday that our dollar was close to parity with the mighty American dollar.’ Slasher was truly puzzled. Nothing dollars and sense.

‘Well, it's what is called a media beat up, Slasher. The media loves a sensational story and they make sure everyone knows about a family of particularly vicious crocodiles that hang out in this area. The Tourist Advisory Board advises the tourists to stay away from here after the latest death by crocodile. You know, that young fella from Norway who was taken very close to here?’

‘Oh, that’s what you mean. You need to get to the point quicker. So what will we eat then Mummy if there’s no tasty tourists?’

‘Don’t you worry about that, Slashie. Those silly tourists never listen to anything they’re told. They think they're immortal like us. They’ll be back, you mark my words. Crikey, they always think it won’t happen to them. Fair dinkum they're so ignorant.’ She tossed her head in disgust and smiled her biggest toothy smile at her darling boy.

‘And we’ll be waiting when they come back, won’t we Mummy?’ Slasher winked his big brown eye with killer lashes, getting into the spirit of things. He liked to see his mum all fired up.

‘Yes, Slashie. Daddy’s already down in the river, hiding under those pretty waterlilies the tourists love so much.’

‘Oh, and Mummy, when they lean over real close with their big cameras Daddy will snap one, won’t he?’

‘He sure will, clever Slasher. You’ll never go hungry again!’

Hope you’re not too grossed out. I enjoyed writing this way too much. I hope Tourism Australia will not be onto me!

I would appreciate it if you could tell me at what stage you knew what I was personifying.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS:

Baggie - short for 'handbag', of which many are of crocodile skin made
Fiddle-de-di - a cry used by one Scarlett O'Hara from the most excellent book Gone With the Wind
'You'll never go hungry again!' - a play on dear Scarlett's words in the most excellent GWTW
Billabong - a pool of water in the bed of a stream that flows intermittently
The drink - a pun, meaning both 'alcohol' and 'river/billabong/ocean' etc
Ferrous - a play on the word 'ferocious', of which many a crocodile is, especially when confronted by a tasty human
Slasher - crocodiles have many a razor sharp tooth to eat you with, just like Grandma
Vegemite sangers - Black greasy vege substance peculiar to Oz spread onto bread. Travelling Australians miss it with a passion - can I send any expats a bottle?

There’s a few clichés from a very controversial Queensland Premier, Joh Bjelke-Peterson – he was very fond of: ‘Now don’t you worry about that!’

Now go here to read more cliched stories....

#RomanticFridayWriters challenge - Response to Image - My story, 'The Strange House in the Snow.'

2011-12-02T08:42:00.002+10:00

Now that NaNo's over, RomanticFridayWriters is kicking off again with the first challenge for December, response to the image below. 600 words of prose or poetry with some element of romance. My romantic element may be hard to find, but it is there. Here is my story...

The Strange House in the Snow

The snow was exploding all around Yasmina and her mother by the time they reached the strange house in the woods. Yasmina looked up at the sky and saw a heap of tired old clouds with raggedy edges ripping apart, falling onto their heads like grey angels.

Yasmina watched her Mama trying to put the big key in the old lock. She slapped her ears with her mittens and watched the snowflakes scattering. ‘Stop it!’ Mama yelled.

Yasmina was freezing, even in the big warm coat the kind Red Cross lady had given her.

Creak! The door opened and they fell inside.

Mama dropped the suitcase onto the carpet and said a bad word. So many strange things...

The snow had followed them into the house. Bang! Mama kicked the big old door shut.

Yasmina ran to the window and looked up the road for Dada.

***

When Yasmina and her Mama had walked the long and lonely road to the house, the trees had scared her the way they lined up along the road in black rows like soldiers. She’d jumped with fright when the snow dropped off the branches and fell to the ground like bombs. Her Mama had pulled her from her hiding place and she’d cried: ‘I want my Dada!’

Mama had whispered, ‘I want your Dada too.’

‘Why did Dada leave us?’

‘He wanted to save us from the bad men.’

‘Do you still love Dada, Mama?’

‘I will love your Dada until I die, Yasmina. He is a wonderful man.’

‘Is Dada coming back, Mama?’

‘He will never leave us darling.’

***

‘Oh!’ Mama cried.

Yasmina turned from the window to see Mama slumped in the big stuffy chair, crying ‘Akbar, Akbar...’

‘Don’t cry Mama. Dada’ll never leave us.’ Yasmina patted the twitchy hand.

Yasmina decided to explore by herself coz when Mama got the sadness for Dada she liked to be left alone.

The house was big and empty. Not like the little house where they'd lived before Dada went away to fight the bad men.

She headed up the stairs. They went up so high she could be close to heaven if that’s where Dada was. The stairs groaned and cried louder than Mama. Spiders were knitting in the corners, trailing their threads down into the hall, their beady black eyes watching her.

She pushed open one of the doors. There was a big cobwebby window in the roof and she could see the snow whirling around the black treetops and - there was a shadow in the corner.

She screamed.

Then…maybe…maybe…’Dada?’ She started to run and tripped on the ripped carpet.

‘Dada!’ Her flashlight clunked out of her pocket. She grabbed it and turned it on, but Dada had gone…again.

There was a big high bed with a lumpy quilt. She was so tired after the long walk. She undid the buttons of her coat, dropped it on the bed and jumped in.

It felt like sinking to the bottom of the earth on a puffy cloud.

‘Goodnight Dada,’ she whispered. ‘Please come back. Mama needs you.’

The snow whispered and rustled. She pulled the quilt higher over her head.

She was nearly asleep when she heard a voice – ‘Alima...Alima…Alima…’

Dada! – ‘Alima...Alima…Alima…aaa…’

No one here knew her mother’s name, only Dada. Dada was downstairs with Mama. He’d come just like Mama said.

Then she felt it.

A hand crept into her hand.

Dada.

His hand felt cold. His fingers shook and curled into her palm, tickling, like when they played games at their home in the mountains.

She smiled in the dark. Dada's home.

***

Word count: 605. This is just a fun? story. MPA. Did you enjoy it or not?

Here is a list of suggestions for critiquing that Madeleine found if you're right into the critique.

Go here to read more stories...

STOP PRESS: Just came across this weird and wonderful flash fiction contest which actually pays a tiny amount if you're published in their anthology.

An exciting start to December! Fun! Fun! Fun!

2011-11-30T07:44:00.001+10:00

Hello!

There are an exciting few days coming up for me, how about you? Today is the last day of NaNo. I've about 1500 words to go on my novel and I'm sure I can do that with my eyes shut, and they probably will be! Most of it's vomitus, but I'm really excited about the plot if not the writing. It was far too big a project for a month, as are most NaNo novels, so really the work is just beginning...Indulge me, Clarissa Draper says she always fiddles with a cover first to help focus her ideas for her current novel, so I had a quick play and whipped this up. After my previous post on debut novels I couldn't resist the tag at the bottom, lol!

E-book Boot Camp's over so I'll be sharing more later. I'm so excited about all the things I learned but there are so many decisions to make...

This Friday December 2, RomanticFridayWriters kicks off again with the first challenge of the month - response to this picture:

Everyone can have some fun! You can write prose or a poem up to 600 words in response to the picture. There needs to be some romantic element within. After you've written your entry, go to the RomanticFridayWriters website and link to your story. Any further questions, ask in comments.

The second challenge has been posted, due Friday December 16. The theme is Sparkle! What fun we can have with that one! Back to the 400 words or less limit again. After initial groaning, RFWer members have honed their flash fiction skills and enjoy the low-word limit challenge. Great for those editing skills.

So you are invited to join us for both our challenges and many more in the future.

Also on Friday December 2, Michael at ...in time is celebrating his one year blogoversary by giving away Amazon Gift Cards. He still needs 3 more followers to reach 500. Maybe you can pop over, leave a comment, follow Michael if you've not done so and win some Amazon e-money at the same time. How can you lose? Michael's site is fabulous. So many helpful posts.

There are also a lot of other blogfests coming up. I posted about them here. You can also check them in my sidebar - Madeleine's cliches and a group of bloggers got together to give us Deja Vu.

Hope the writing is going well. Don't forget you can try out excerpts of your WIPs using the RomanticFridayWriters themes. Nancy Williams is posting about critiquing today if you'd like to visit!

Your first novel is not any good. D is for Discouraged? or D is for Determined?

2011-11-26T08:40:00.001+10:00

Howdy friends!

I'm just checking in from e-book Boot Camp. Had an introductory session last night and there's two long days to go. Today we get to try various digital media and tomorrow we get to format/publish our own work using Pressbook. I have so much to share with you already, but you'll have to wait! Now to my pre-scheduled post...

Well seeing as many writers may be busily tapping away scratching out that first novel during NaNo or just for their own tortuous needs, I wonder where those first novels will end up? Seeing as they'll not be any good!

You agree? There's no use looking for an agent/publisher for your first book because you know that you're no good until novel number three, right? Well, I've heard this a lot and it has affected my attitude to my first two novels knowing that they probably aren't any good 'cause people in the know say so. Better just leave them languishing on my flash drive.

I was browsing through a Writers Digest magazine when I should have been penning a novel during NaNo (and it is likely to be pretty darned good seeing it's novel number three) when I saw an interview with Sue Grafton (of the alphabetical series of mysteries, you know. M is for Murder etc). She ended the interview by declaring that first-time novelists shouldn't bother fishing for a literary agent because they've only written one book and therefore, "you're not any good yet." Well she's allowed to have her opinion but it is pretty discouraging all the same.

Has Ms Grafton forgotten first-time novelists Harper Lee, Margaret Mitchell, S.E. Hinton or Alice Sebold and that's just for starters? How about all the successful blogger/novelists we know like, well, lots of you! Give me some names in the comments just in case I haven't read your debut novel!

After I read the first article dissing first-time novelists some time ago, I've made a point of reading many debut novelists, and man, they've been good. So much blood, sweat and beers, er tears, goes into that debut novel, and judging by some second and third novels I've read by best-selling authors, the first one is sometimes the stand out! I'm just reading for the second time, 'The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul' by Deborah Rodriguez as part of my Afghanistan research project. You guessed it, a stunning debut novel. So I'm not Discouraged, I'm Determined. How about you?

BTW, I set myself the goal of reading 100 books this year! I'm well past 100 and it's only November.

I wrote a post about a debut novelists here!

And an inspiring story of a fellow blogger's debut here!

Do you know any great debut novels?
Do you agree with Sue Grafton? Should first and second novels be relegated to our own slush piles?

Holiday season blogfests hotting up! So do you know of any blogfests to share? Ann Best's new memoir...

2011-11-19T10:33:00.004+10:00

How're you doing? Not too ground down with all the writing projects? Just a short post before I get back to work. I want to share with you some up-coming blogfests and I'm hoping if you know of any more, you'll share with us all.

1. On December 2, Romantic Friday Writers have their first blogfest of the month based on this image:

Challenge No 26 – post on Friday December 2^nd

Response to image.

Write a 400 – 600 word (or less!) story/poem based on this image. You might write a Christmas tale, a spooky tale, a fairy story, a fantasy…the sky’s the limit! You don’t have to use all the details in the picture, but your story will reflect the image in some way…

Linky will be posted on Thursday December 1^st.Go here on December 1st to submit your entry...

Good luck with your entry! Please post the image in your sidebar and spread the word.

2. Madeleine Maddocks of Scribble and Edit is hosting her cliched blogfest on December 5th.

Go here for more deets. You can join up with the linky NOW!

3. The Insecure Writers Support Group posts for December will be on Wednesday December 7th. This, like RFWer is an on-going 'blogfest'. Go here for more deets and sign up. This is Alex J Cavanaugh's brain child.

4. On December 16, there is the Deja Vu blogfest. Love this as it's going to give everyone a chance to read a blogger's best (ITHO) posts. You know, those posts that you wrote maybe when you had 10 followers, you took so much care, yet only 2 people ever read it! Find this little gem, dust it off, and post it so we can all enjoy it!

Go visit Nicole Duclerior at One Significant Moment at a Time for more deets!

Onto books/blog tours/book reviews etc etc...

Many bloggers are getting impatient with posts pushing books, so I thought I'd include a little shout out with a post, rather than do a whole post. I understand the 'blog tour' fatigue that's hitting us, but I also understand that authors (especially our blogger-friend authors) need to get the word out, so...

Today I'm giving Ann Carbine Best's latest memoir a shout out. Ann is an inspiring 71 years old and after pubbing her first memoir through WiDo Publishing, she went it alone this time. She worked her way through all the e-pub formatting, published on Smashwords, then goofed with Amazon and had to withdraw it. Now she's figured out Amazon Kindle, so Imprisioned is available through both Smashwords and Amazon. I have read Imprisoned and can highly recommend it. I've posted a review on Amazon. Go Ann!

Now you have 4 blogfests. I haven't been visiting as many blogs as usual due to my commitment to finishing my NaNo first draft, (27,500+ words thus far), so I'm sure there's many, many more. Please leave a comment and tell us about it!
I've had positive comments about my Disqus comment system. Just a request...I hate filling out that 3-field thingy too - Name, email, blog link, but once you do it the first time it will auto-fill from then on. If you don't fill out the URL I can't easily visit your blog. Please...

STOP PRESS! - I just saw another blogfest for Dec 8-10 at http://brenleedrake.blogspot.com/

Hello Barack Obama, US/Aussie history, then a Plot and Structure exercise.

2011-11-16T08:10:00.002+10:00

The Yank and the Aussie shake on it!

Howdy my friends! How's everyone doing?

Today Australia welcomes Barack Obama to our shores for the first time. I hope he enjoys his sneak peek of our beautiful country but he's not here to sightsee, of course, he's here to announce another joint military effort between our countries - a naval base in Darwin, our pretty much unprotected Deep North entry point.

For those who might wonder why there is such an official bond between our countries it is because the only time Australia was ever threatened in a war (WW11) when the Japanese forces bombed Darwin and their submarines were cruising Sydney Harbour, nearly all of our army was fighting overseas. Other allies told the Japanese they could take Australia from Brisbane (((shudder))) north, but the Americans came to our rescue and did the Sir Galahad and today all of Australia remains Australia, not a Japanese colony, but has quite a lot of American military activity as a result of the 'rescue package'. Very useful for them to keep an eyespy on this part of the world. And of course we feel beholden to go fight the never-ending War on Terror.

So, there you have a little insight into why we have such a strong tie with who we fondly refer to as the Yanks (their wartime nickname).

Well, now that I've mentioned the War... on Terror...

Taliban forces in Afghanistan.

Thanks to PK Hrezco for sharing James Scott Bell's Plot and Structure. Here's a little exercise from the book for my NaNo story, A Peculiar Grace.

1. My lead is a drop out from Western society who joined the Hippie Trail and never returned home. Her objective is to subdue her demons by helping the unfortunate yet inspirational women of Kabul, Afghanistan.

2. She is confronted by dangerous political forces who oppose her because firstly, she is a woman, and secondly, she is an American whose armed forces have wreaked havoc on one regime after another.

3. The ending will be a knockout because many threads will be drawn together for a climax that will blow your sox off!

Any opinions on my plot exercise? Have you done similar for your latest WIP? Tell me about it...
Anything else you feel to share, go right ahead...I think I'm trying a new comment system, so you'll be helping me see if I should delete it AGAIN or stay with it!

Romantic Suspense Group (#43) Getting-to-Know-You Blogfest. Short and sweet.

2011-11-13T07:49:00.000+10:00

I know the Campaign is over, but Joy Campbell has been trying to organise this blogfest for months, however publishing her books got in the way, which is all good! How is 'Hardware' going Joy?

So, better late than never. The Romantic Suspense group (#43) in Rachael Harrie’s Platform Building Campaign is hosting a Getting-to-Know-You Blogfest during the week of November 13-19.

It’s in the middle of NaNo, which is why we’re giving ourselves a week to drop by each other’s blogs and cement the connections we’ve made during this Campaign. The Getting-to-Know-You Blogfest is fun and easy. We just signed up in the linky list and from November 13 to November 19 we'll be posting answers in response to the questions below.

If you're in The Romantic Suspense Group and missed the email or forgot about it, there's still time to join up here and participate.

This is what Joy asked us to do:

1. Name two [romantic suspense] authors who inspire you.

This is difficult, choosing only two. However, two inspirational romantic suspense authors are: Nora Roberts and J.D.Robb. Nora, especially, writes many genres, of which romantic suspense is only one, but she is an awesome writer, not to mention prolific.

2. How did you start writing in your genre?

I like romance, but I also like a lot of suspense. And I adore crime thrillers so thought why not link crime and romance?

3. You've landed a meeting with your dream agent. Write a one paragraph pitch to sell your novel to him/her. (No more than four sentences)

This sounds like a lot of work during NaNoWriMo! Okay, let's go...here's my 'elevator' pitch for my second novel, In Search of the Last Cowboy.

Shakira Pearlman sets out to avenge her rape, but she's confronted by a police force crippled by inertia and a Senator father who's afraid a court case will hurt his chances of retaining his Massachusetts seat. Shakira refuses to accept the status quo as she's discovered she's not the rapist's first victim and fears she won't be his last. She pursues him across America following the trail of the honeybees. Her quest intensifies when she meets Detective Byron Bredemeier and falls in love. Together they must find the rapist before he strikes again.

4. Sabotage or accident- which would put your female lead through and why?

Sabotage. It sounds way more interesting, but, on the other hand my protagonist above does meet with an accident...

5. Plotter or Pantser? Who are you?

Pantser. I try to be a plotter, but that comes along once I've got my idea, a few characters and a bit of a start. I'm at 12,000 words on my third novel, this one set in Afghanistan. Now the characters have all come by, we've had a getting-to-know you party, sorted out our cultural differences, and now I can sit down and get plotting or maybe I'll just go along for what's going to be a wild ride.

1.	The Character Depot	2.	How Many Days In A Year?
3.	Chris Eboch's Write Like a Pro! blog	4.	Kris Bock: Ordinary women. Extraordinary adventures.
5.	Tara W.	6.	Kerrin Hearfield
7.	Mynr Whitman Writes	8.	L'Aussie
9.	Tina DC Hayes, Author at Large

Jessica Bell's String Bridge Amazon Chart Rush! If you're going to buy the book, please do so today. Go Jessica, go!

2011-11-11T00:36:00.002+10:00

Today is THE day to help Jessica Bell's debut, STRING BRIDGE, hit
the bestseller list on Amazon, and receive the all-original soundtrack, Melody Hill: On the Other Side, written and performed by the author herself, for free!

All you have to do is
purchase the book today (paperback, or eBook), November 11th, and
then email the receipt to:

jessica.carmen.bell(at)gmail(dot)com

She will
then email you a link to download the album at no extra cost!

To purchase the paperback:

Amazon USA

To purchase the eBook:

Amazon USA

Amazon UK

Buy Jessica Bell’s debut from Amazon today & receive the soundtrack 4 free! http://amzn.to/nnidEW or http://amzn.to/t3nGmK #StringBridge.

To listen to samples of the soundtrack, visit iTunes.

If you are
not familiar with String Bridge,
check out the book trailer:

Rave Reviews for String Bridge:

“Jessica Bell’s STRING BRIDGE strummed the fret of my
veins, thrummed my blood into a mad rush, played me taut until the final page,
yet with echoes still reverberating. A rhythmic debut with metrical tones of
heavied dark, fleeting prisms of light, and finally, a burst of joy—just as
with any good song, my hopeful heartbeat kept tempo with Bell’s narrative.” ~ Kathryn Magendie, author of Sweetie and Publishing Editor of Rose & Thorn Journal

“Poet and
musician Jessica Bell's debut novel String Bridge is a rich exploration of desire, guilt, and the
difficult balancing act of the modern woman. The writing is lyrical throughout,
seamlessly integrating setting, character and plot in a musical structure that
allows the reader to identify with Melody's growing insecurity as her world
begins to unravel … String Bridge is
a powerful debut from a promising writer, full of music, metaphor, and just a
hint of magic.” ~ Magdalena Ball, author of Repulsion
Thrust and Sleep Before Evening

“Jessica Bell is a brilliant writer
of great skill and depth. She doesn't pull back from the difficult
scenes, from conflict, pain, intensity. She puts it all out there, no holds
barred, no holding back. She knows how to craft a scene, how to develop
character, how to create suspense. This is an absolutely brilliant debut novel.
I look forward to reading her
next novel, and next and next.” ~ Karen Jones
Gowen, author of Farm Girl, Uncut Diamonds and House of Diamonds

Connect with Jessica:

String Bridge: http://www.stringbridge.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jessica_bell

Website: http://www.jessicacbell.com/

Blog: http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MsBessieBell

Publisher: http://www.luckypress.com

Please TWEET and/or FACEBOOK this post using #StringBridge!