The Light Between Oceans

On a recent trip to Augusta, I was delighted to combine my love of travel with my love of books – especially those written by fellow Australians.

Here at the most Southern westerly tip of Australia, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, stands a solitary sentinel known as the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. It is one of the many lighthouses, author M.L. Stedman, based her research for her debut novel The Light Between Oceans. In this beautiful, wild and windswept place, I found her novel in one of the surrounding old buildings, which boasts a bustling ticket and souvenir shop.

This really is a mesmerizing novel of love, loss and unbearable choices, which has been sold in 31 territories and is due to be made into a film. In 2012, it was voted ‘Best Historical Novel’ by 1.5 million voters on the Goodreads website. Stedman has also been longlisted for the 2013 Women’s Prize for Fiction – The Light Between Oceans won the Indie Book of the Year in the Debut Fiction category at the Australian Independent Bookseller’s Indie Awards.

1926. Tom Sherbourne is a young lighthouse keeper on a remote island off Western Australia. The only inhabitants of Janus Rock, he and his wife Isabel live a quiet life, cocooned from the rest of the world. One April morning a boat washes ashore carrying a dead man and a crying infant – and the path of the couple’s lives hits an unthinkable crossroads. Only years later do they discover the devastating consequences of the decision they make that day – as the baby’s real story unfolds…

This is a must-read book that will touch your soul. Its well crafted prose is a credit to Stedman’s ability to weave a fine story. Don’t forget to keep the tissues handy!

Australia Day

Today is a day for celebrating everything that’s great about being Australian, and even though I’m a naturalised Australian, I’m as proud as any ‘true blue‘ Aussie. I’ve lived in this ‘lucky’ country for just over fifty years, and I’m proud to call it home.

How do I celebrate in my home state of Perth? There are many celebrations and activities on offer, however, I’d rather share the day with my family. We favour a more relaxed day, by throwing a sausage on the backyard barbie and having a few beers, whilst listening to some great Aussie music. In the evening, we’ll eat popcorn, drink Coke, and watch the movie ‘Australia’ in lieu of the fireworks. Though we know for a fact, the Annual Skyworks display along the foreshore of the Swan River will be absolutely delightful. However, for thirty minutes of entertainment, we prefer to forego the traffic jams and view the delayed telecast on the telly.

Our flag bears the stars that blaze at night
In our southern sky of blue
And that little old flag in the corner
That’s part of our heritage too,
It’s for the English, the Scots and the Irish
Who were sent to the end of the earth
The rogues and the schemers and dreamers
Who gave our Australia its birth.

And you who are shouting to change it
You don’t seem to understand
It’s the flag of our laws and language
Not the flag of a far away land
There are plenty of people who’ll tell you
How when Europe was plunged into night
The little old flag in the corner
Was their symbol of freedom and light.

It don’t mean we owe our allegiance
To a forgotten imperial dream
We’ve the stars to show where we’re going
And the old flag to show where we’ve been
It’s only an old piece of bunting
It’s only an old coloured rag
But there are thousands who died for its honour
And fell in defence of our flag.

This poem was written by an anonymous Australian about the Australian flag debate, where Advocates of change in Australia, believe that another design would be more effective in representing Australia.

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Goal Setting for 2013

At the end of each year, I like to recap and set new goals for the coming year.

Now, let’s check my 2012 list and see what I’ve achieved. 

#1 – Write every day! 50/50 – I had trouble committing to any one particular novel/story idea, but I did write a copious amount of notes.         

#2 – Read a craft book and a book by a new author each month. 50/50 – I read ‘The Plot Whisperer’ by Martha Alderson and ‘Help for Writers’ by Roy Peter Clark. I finished reading three out of twelve books by a new author, ‘The House of Memories’ by Monica McInerney, ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ by E.L. James and ’29′ by Adena Halpern. I began reading many more, but like writing, I flitted between books as more new releases became available.

#3 – Read more books in the ‘outback’ romance genre. PASS – I read ‘The Road Home’ by Fiona Palmer and ‘Jacaranda’ by Mandy Magro (check these out by clicking on my Book Reviews Tab)

#4 – Finish the first draft for my romance novel ‘Once Around’ by 30^th June. FAIL 

#5 – Complete my ‘Year of the Novel’ course. 50/50 – I replayed the audio posts, and then did the exercises. Sadly, I didn’t get the tutor’s feedback, but I did learn a lot from this fabulous course, and I would highly recommend it.

#6 – Seek out and join an active critique group. FAIL

#7 – Focus on my well-being. Eat healthier and start walking. FAIL

#8 – Think more positively in all aspects of my life, and STOP procrastinating. FAIL

#9 – Start a 2012 ‘Christmas’ Fund, ‘Holiday’ Fund and a new ‘Car’ Fund. FAIL

All in all, 2012 was not a particularly good year for my writing, business or personal life. So, after having the patience to wait for the right moment to act, I’m ready for some big changes to make 2013 shine.

My Writing & Personal GOALS for 2013

#1 – Write every day! Pick one project and work on it until completion (unless it’s not working, then file it and start another)

#2 – Find a writing buddy and/or critique group.

#3 – Complete the first draft of a short story or novella.

#4 – Alternate between reading the books I began last year, and new releases.

#5 – Send regular eLetters to my World Vision sponsored child.

#6 – Start using the online Art/Drawing class I signed up for last October.

#7 – Think more positively in all aspects of my life, and worry LESS!

#8 – Focus on my well-being. Enjoy life more. Eat healthier and walk more.

#9 – Make long awaited decisions and take action.

#10 – Place more value on time. Procrastinate less and be more productive.

#11 – Spend more time with family and friends.

#12 – Be more frugal with money and begin a *Savings* fund.

#13 – Be more grateful and practice random acts of kindness.

#14 – Get happy. Laugh more.

Now, let’s see if I can do better at achieving my goals this year.

Here’s wishing everyone a happy and successful year ahead.

Merry Christmas

~ From My Home to Yours ~

May this Christmas end the present year on a cheerful note and make way for a fresh and bright New Year.

Wishing everyone lots of love, joy and peace.

Carol x

Life After NaNo

Congratulations to those of you who managed to write 50,000 words last month!

I wanted to be a NaNoWriMo winner, but within the first week, I understood the enormity of writing 1,667 words every day for a month. Who the heck was I kidding? Just because I’m fluent in English and like to write, doesn’t mean I’m any good at it. All negatives aside, I continued at my own pace and wrote close to 10,000 words.

I know I’ve grown as a writer, but there is still so much to learn (I have a head full of ideas and a driving need to get the words on to paper. From there, I battle to string them together into a meaningful work of fiction)

So, here’s the thing. If a full-length novel is out of reach, then what I’ve written is a good start for a short story or novella.

If you did NaNoWriMo in 2012, what did you learn?

NaNoWriMo

In nine days, thousands of writers around the world will set out with a common goal to write 50,000 words toward their novel. Sound easy? Believe me – It is no easy task. My first attempt at NaNoWriMo was unsuccessful because I jumped on the band wagon, totally unprepared. I’ve since learned my lesson, and have come to realize that planning makes all the difference between failing or reaching the finish line.

Here are some strategies I’d like to share:

• Plan your story – If you wake up on 1st November undecided about what you want to write – plan to fail. Decide on the genre and brainstorm a basic plot line. Having an outline will allow you to stay focused and keep moving ahead. Write chapter/scene ideas on system cards, and interview your characters. When you begin, you don’t have to write in chronological order. Start on the scene clearest in your mind.

• Get a calendar and write down the life events you can’t change, then basically work out how much free time you have available to commit to this challenge. Plan to write 2,000 words a day – Four x 500 word sessions with breaks in between. Why? Because if you hit a block on day 14, or get sick…or have a life crisis, you’ll be ahead of target.

• Turn off all unnecessary distractions. If you’re not disciplined enough, download some self-control. Freedom is a useful application which locks you away from the Internet for up to eight hours.

• Write every day! The focus is on word count – Do not use contractions.

• Remember it’s a first draft. Let it be awful. Don’t obsess over perfection and just write. The perfect tool for this is Write or Die. It puts the ‘Prod’ in productivity. This application forces you to write by providing consequences for distraction and procrastination.

• Don’t let self-doubt sabotage your goal, and don’t listen to your inner critic.

• DO NOT edit.

• Type the words ‘TK’ when you have missing information – A quick search through your document for ‘TK’ will tell you whether you have any fact-checking to do afterwards.

• Drink lots of water – Or wine, or whatever it takes.

• Take regular breaks. Maybe go for a short walk and get some fresh air (good for inspiration – take a notebook and pen).

• Try using a timer and do some writing sprints. It could make you work faster and more productively.

• After you’ve written your daily quota, outline a few scenes ready for the next day.

• Remember to back up your work.

• Reward yourself when you reach your daily word count.

Here are some life strategies:

• Tell family and friends you are participating in NaNoWriMo, and that you value their understanding and ongoing support.

• Christmas is nine weeks away – Now is a good time to write those cards, buy the pressies, and stock up on non-perishable food/drink items.

• Postpone all non-important events until December.

• Eat Baked Beans on toast every night during NaNoWriMo – No? Okay! Plan meals that are quick (or cook ahead of time and freeze).

• Delegate household chores and other tasks.

• Utilize time more efficiently – This will go way beyond NaNoWriMo once a new pattern has been established.

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Well, that’s all from me. I hope you found something of interest to put to the test or share.

Good luck, and most of all – Have fun!

Please feel free to share any tips or strategies in the comments section.

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Book Talk with Monica McInerney

Photo by Ashley Miller

Last week, I had the pleasure of sharing Monica McInerney’s company with approximately forty other women at the Altone Park Public Library in the Perth suburb of Beechboro, Western Australia. She had arrived from Melbourne an hour before her talk, and if she was jet-lagged it certainly didn’t show.

Monica’s speech was mesmerizing and radiated her love for the writing craft. She talked at length about herself, her amazing writing career and her tenth novel The House of Memories.

Some interesting points I took away:

• Monica gets ideas by thinking about her greatest fears. She begins by imagining the worst thing that could possibly happen? How would it affect her life and those around her? Then she bases a story around it.

• Always ask yourself  the question: ‘What if?’

• Read, read, read!

• Writing a book is like being a film director – Visualize the story.

• Monica finds writing about families fascinating – There’s so much drama to draw ideas from.

• Her intricate family sagas are filled with emotion, and The House of Memories is no exception. It’s a rather sad book, so it’s balanced with some fun chapters.

• Her favourite quote is: ‘No family can hang out the sign – Nothing is the matter here’.

• This book took Monica two years to write – She wished it took people longer than a few days to read.

• She writes 2,000 words a day, five days a week, unless on a deadline.

The advice she gave me:

• Romances are hot property. Therefore, I should concentrate on getting my novel written and achieve my dream.

• Read and write every day.

• Make writing a priority. Turn off the television and use as much time available – productively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cover blurb from The House of Memories:

Sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are those that matter most.

Following a tragic accident, Ella O’Hanlon flees to the other side of the world in an attempt to escape her grief, leaving behind the two people she blames for her loss: Aidan, the love of her life, and Jess, her spoilt half-sister.

In London Ella is taken in by her beloved uncle Lucas, whose extraordinary house holds many wonderful memories for her. Along with other members of the very colourful Fox family, Lucas helps Ella to see that she is not the only one still hurting, and that forgiveness can be the greatest healer in a family and in a marriage.

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