Archive for the ‘Books’ Category

12 x 12

Posted in Books, Children's stories, Poetry, WA Writers, Writing, tagged 12 x 12 Challenge, Children's stories, Frances Macaulay Forde, Julie Hedlund, new writing, picture books, poems, SCWBI, writing, writing in WA on March 5, 2014| 4 Comments »

Official Participant in the Julie Hedlund 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge

Soooo excited – I’ve signed up as a Golden Book Member of Julie Hedlund’s 12 month picture book challenge for 2014.

(I find I need deadlines to actually finish fiddling with manuscripts and let them go.)

There’s lots of support and encouragement from fellow participants – many who’re also members of SCWBI.

Julie offers the amazing chance to send a manuscript to an approved agent each month.

At the very least, I’ll have quite a few new picture book ideas to hawk to local publishers at the end of the year!

SUZETTE THE SNAKE

Suzette the snake was swish.

She slithered with style

and spoke with a lisp.

Her sensitive stomach

seeks special cuisine,

especially cleaned

in rivers and streams.

She swims in salt lakes

with sensuous ease,

sleeps under shade trees,

shivers out in the breeze.

Skin silvery bronze

sun-yellow striped along.

Speeding through leaves

she startles a feed.

Surely her sparkle

and shimmering shape,

proves beauty is found

in a slithering snake!

Frances Macaulay Forde @ 2001

From my 1st book of poems ‘Hidden Capacity ~ a poet’s journey’ Published in Cork, Ireland, 2003.

So the gauntlet has been thrown and I must rise to the challenge.

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Need inspiration?

Posted in Books, Poetry, Scripts, WA Writers, Writing, tagged Andrew Burke, Australian Poetry, Frances Macaulay Forde, Pages Cafe, Perth, Poem, poems, poetry, poetry in Western Australia, Poets Cafe, Poets Corner, WA Writers, words, writer, writing on February 24, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Andrew Burke hosting Poet’s Corner, May 2008.

I’m shocked! Andrew Burke has always seemed particularly inspired but wrote on a FB message to me that his writing “has stalled and needs a push start downhill, in gear – like in them good old days” ending with a smiley face.

It shocked and saddened me; I honestly can’t imagine that quick, witty, incisive brain NOT being inspired. He’s always been such a prolific poet dabbling in many genres (even documentary) inspiring and supporting others with his blog.

But first I got to wondering why… As John Lennon once said “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” A totally appropriate quote to use for Andrew because he’s an accomplished writer, but very much a musician in his soul.

He even has a Wiki page! (How do you get a Wiki page?)

I also discovered an e-book ‘Blue Rose’ on Smashwords which I have just purchased for a measly $4.99 (!) and because Andrew has inspired me (once again) I’ve joined the site to explore the possibilities for my own words. (Thanks, Andrew.)

Often as writers needing the head-space to write, life overwhelms us with what we HAVE to do.

Be selfish sometimes and take a moment to do what you NEED to do, too… we’ll all be better for it.

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Richard Ford

Posted in Books, Ireland, Writing, tagged books, Canada, Cork International Short Story Festival, Cork Spring Poetry Festival, Frances Macaulay Forde, Munster Literature Centre, novels, Richard Ford, short stories on February 17, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Apart from the name (although there’s no ‘e’…) when I saw he was a guest at the 2003 Cork International Short Story Festival, I booked my place to hear him read. What a treat that was – both being in Ireland and being able to attend in person! I learned a lot about short story construction and writing in general.

Wish I could have attended the Munster Literature Centre – Cork Spring Poetry Festival last week too!

What a writer: Happy 70th Birthday Richard Ford (a very good interview).

Now to order his latest…

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Ladies of the Laundry

Posted in Animals, Books, Ireland, MOVIES, Poetry, Writing, tagged Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare, Doolin, Frances Macaulay Forde, Jessie Lendennie, poetry, publishing, Salmon Poetry, Stonecutter's Kitchen, writing on February 3, 2014| 2 Comments »

Two things; ‘Philomena’ is a truly wonderful film offering insight into the ‘Ladies of the Laundry’ also known as the ‘Magdalene Sisters’ presented with humor underlined with the awful truth and William Wall well-known writer and member of the Munster Literature Centre who recently wrote of the McAleese Report, have stirred a memory.

The girls/women have fascinated me since my 14 months in Ireland when I actually met a ‘Lady of the Laundry’ during a lunch break from an inspiring workshop weekend meeting with Jessie Lendennie of Salmon Poetry fame.

Cliffs of Moher with Jessie Lendennie and her beautiful dogs.

Jessie took me to a favorite haunt, a little coffee shop called ‘Stonecutter’s Kitchen’, up near the Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare, just down the road from her place.

On a beautiful sunny day, with a brisk breeze blowing off the cliffs, we chose to sit outside in the small sheltered garden, crammed with tables and others who wanted to soak up the sunshine. Jessie and I are ‘pet’ people and when a sweet little dog came over to say hello we both made a fuss before her 40+ owner (we’ll call Mary) came to apologize for the delightful intrusion. Naturally, we started chatting.

When ‘Mary’ found out we were writer and publisher, she told us she loved poetry having recently learnt to read and write. My curiosity and writer-ly instincts kicked in and I probed wanting to know why this woman had only recently acquired this skill, but Mary didn’t mind and willingly told us she was a ex Laundry girl with a dream to one day have something published.

Gobsmacked, I fell silent suppressing the lump in my throat which threatened tears. Although Jessie kept talking a bit longer, I could find no more to ‘chat’ about. The sun seemed to go behind a cloud and I was consumed with what I’d heard and seen on film and busy mentally equating those impressions with the reality, standing so seemingly innocent in front of me.

‘Mary’ must have thought me so rude… I remember wishing her luck with her dream but wish I’d asked her name so I could look out for the book.

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“The Grass is Singing…”

Posted in Africa, Books, Poetry, Writing, tagged Africa, Doris Lessing, Frances Macaulay Forde, Nobel Peace Prize, Northern Rhodesia, poems, Southern Rhodesia, The Grass is Singing', writer, Zambia, Zimbabwe on January 29, 2014| 3 Comments »

Recently Doris Lessing died at the ripe old age of 94 with more than 50 books to her name and 3 children, 2 of whom she abandoned to achieve her career dreams. So I find it interesting that she was later known for her humanitarian efforts – is it just me or is there something wrong with that picture?

Oh – she also won a Nobel Prize for Literature at the age of 88 (oldest recipient) for her life’s work.

“The Grass Is Singing” was her first publication in the 1950’s, at the time a shocking story of life in Southern Rhodesia – now Zimbabwe. That country banned her for 25 years but recently welcomed her with open arms.

I remember reading the story in the 60’s when I lived over the border, in Northern Rhodesia and being impressed with the characterizations and ‘reality’ she managed to capture and share.

And now I find out she was a poet, as well!

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“Santa’s Swim”

Posted in Animals, Books, Children's stories, Christmas, Writing, tagged Avon Valley Writers Festival, Children's book, Children's stories, Christmas Story, Frances Macaulay Forde, Octopus, Picture Book, Santa, Santa's Swim, Sharks, Western Australia on December 13, 2013| 1 Comment »

Last year I was a guest of the Avon Valley Writers Festival held over two days in Northam and Toodyay. What a wonderful experience, the staff from both libraries made us very welcome.

My handsome son drove me way out in the country and made me feel safe – wish we could do that sort of thing more often.

One of the books I took with me for sale was my Christmas story ‘Santa’s Swim’ – if you’d like a copy, I still have them for sale here.

‘Santa’s Swim’ hardcover version (not available)

I also ran a coloring competition which was very popular – both winners loved their prizes of a copy of the book ‘Santa’s Swim’, a little Santa statue of their very own and a certificate to frame.