A rose by any other name...

The book I'm currently reading for my book club is The Guernsey and Potato Peel Pie Society . I'm loving it, but the thing I find funny is that when I first saw this book in a bookshop window, I swore I would never read it.

I was walking home one evening from our favourite Thai place around the corner with E and my son and part of our ritual is to stop and look in the window of our favourite bookshop Mary Who?

A small mountain of the Guernsey book had pride of place and Andrew said very disparagingly, 'That looks like the sort book you'd read, Mum.'

'Never!' I protested hotly.

But when I discovered it was the next book for my reading group (made up of women I used to teach with and whose tastes closely match mine) I discovered just how fickle I am, because I was suddenly intrigued by the title and eager to read it. Of course, comments by others about "couldn't put it down" helped.

But it also confirmed a few points about titles and target readers.

Many people are surprised when I tell them that we have very little say in the titles of our books. This is because the titles are so important at hooking readers and we authors often don't have a clue.

Although I'm proud to say that two of my bestselling books had titles I chose. These were Outback with the Boss (reprinted this year in Her Outback Boss) and Having the Boss's Babies.

On the other hand, In the Heart of the Outback was a book I loved. My publisher chose the title and I was quite happy with it at the time, but it didn't sell as well because the title didn't have enough hooks.

So it's a tricky business the titling of books, especially in series romance where the books are only on the shelves for such a short time.

Water, water everywhere...

It's still raining. In fact, it's been raining in Townsville all year! That's right -- almost all of last month and again in February.

We're completely cut off to the north, west and south by flood waters and if there were roads to the east, they'd be cut, too. The supermarkets only have long life milk, because the trucks can't get through, and a consignment of groceries has been sent up to Cairns by barge.

Some areas of NQ have received over a metre of rain in the past seven days.

And what am I writing about at the moment? Funny you should ask. It's a story set in Cape York in the wet season. I am so totally soaking up the appropriate vibes.

Time to saw awww...

Aren't these puppies too cute for words?

And at our place, when the twins & co came to visit, Nan (that would be me) improvised a cot. Of course, it was too much of a temptation for their big sister, who is, by the way, wearing a new line in jewellery -- my USB stick.

Aussie bargain...

The southern part of our country is suffering from a terrible heatwave that's caused bushfires and train stoppages and blackouts... and countless other problems...

Hah!! Isn't that clever? It's actually a sculpture by Orest Keywan. The artist won the $30,000 Sulpture by the Sea prize in 2006, but his sculpture captures exactly how our poor southernerns feel right now.

Meanwhile... up here in the tropical north, we still have constant rain and flooding. I tell you, it's a big country!

At school, we all learned a poem by Dorothea McKellar called "My Country" and the most famous lines are:-
I love a sunburnt country,
a land of sweeping plains,
of rugged mountain ranges,
of drought and flooding rains.

The poem was written early in the twentieth century, long before anyone had heard of global warming, but each year, those words seem to become more significant.

While I'm here... Aussie readers, if you missed the chance to read Adopted: Outback Baby, you can now buy it here at a bargain price in an Australia Day special 'sweet pack' with fellow Aussie authors. The pack includes The Boss's Unconventional Assistant by Jennie Adams (doesn't that one sound good?) and The Desert Prince's Proposal by Nicola Marsh (sure to whisk you away to a fab romantic fanatsy).

If you'd like to find out more about Adopted: Outback Baby and to read an excerpt, you can do so here.

You know you're Australian if...

A bit late for Australia Day, (with the odd explanation for readers from overseas, who won't "get" some of these) but you know you're Australian if....

You know the meaning of 'girt' (In our national anthen we sing: "Our home is girt by sea")

You believe that stubbies can either be worn or drunk (worn as shorts)

You think it is normal to have a Prime Minister called Kevin

You waddle when you walk due to the 53 expired petrol discount vouchers stuffed in your wallet or purse

When you hear that an American 'roots for his team' you wonder how often and with whom

You understand that the phrase 'a group of women wearing black thongs'refers to footwear and may be less alluring than it sounds

You pronounce Melbourne as 'Mel-bin'

You believe the 'L' in the word ' Australia ' is optional

You believe it makes perfect sense for a nation to decorate its highwayswith large fibreglass bananas, prawns and sheep

You think 'Woolloomooloo' is a perfectly reasonable name for a place

You believe is makes sense for a country to have a $1 coin that's twice asbig as its $2 coin

You understand that 'Wagga Wagga' can be abbreviated to 'Wagga' but 'WoyWoy' can't be called 'Woy'

You believe that cooked-down axle grease makes a good breakfast spread

You believe all famous Kiwis are actually Australian, until they stuff up,at which point they again become Kiwis

You know, whatever the tourist books say, that no one says 'cobber'

You believe, as an article of faith, that the confectionary known as theWagon Wheel has become smaller with every passing year

You still don't get why the 'Labor' in 'Australian Labor Party' is not spelt with a 'U'

You believe that the more you shorten someone's name the more you like them

Whatever your linguistic skills, you find yourself able to order takeaway fluently in every Asian language

You understand that 'excuse me' can sound rude, while 'scuse me' is always polite

You know what it's like to swallow a fly, on occasions via your nose

You understand that 'you' has a plural and that it's 'youse'

You know it's not summer until the steering wheel is too hot to handle

Your biggest family argument over the summer concerned the rules of beach cricket

You shake your head in horror when companies try to market what they call'Anzac cookies

You still think of Kylie as 'that girl off 'Neighbours'

When returning home from overseas, you expect to be brutally strip-searchedby Customs - just in case you're trying to sneak in fruit

You believe the phrase 'smart casual' refers to a pair of blacktracky-daks, suitably laundered

You understand that all train timetables are works of fiction

When working at a bar, you understand male customers will feel the need tooffer an excuse whenever they order low-alcohol beer

You get choked up with emotion by the first verse of the national anthem and then have trouble remembering the second

You find yourself ignorant of nearly all the facts deemed essential in the government's new test for migrants

Lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer...

Tomorrow (January 26th.) is a public holiday here for Australia Day. I explained all about Australia Day on this blog in other years, so I won't go through it again, but after tomorrow it's back to school for most Australian students and it isn't always easy after their lovely long summer holiday.
Already, their happy memories of Christmas and holidays at the beach will be a fading memory. Families will be scrambling to buy all the books and pencils and uniforms necessary for the new school year. Dads could well be assembling new flatpack desks from Ikea or somewhere similar. Some kids will be nervous about a new school. Some will be excited about seeing all their friends again. Some could be trying to pretend it isn't happening.
Meanwhile, teachers (including many of my friends) will be enjoying one last weekend of summer freedom -- or possibly the conscientious will be planning lessons.
The back-to school busy rush always seems such a hassle when it's happening, but there's always an edge of excitement for everyone facing a new school year, isn't there? I can't believe my grandson Thomas is starting high school this year. He'll be doing a German immersion program -- v exciting.
But where have the years gone? It was only a moment ago he looked like this on the right.
There are many times, when we think back on those years, when E and I really miss our kids, as kids. So much. They grow up in a flash and then they're gone.
I can't say I've suffered from the empty nest problem, but there are times when I wish we were still all together. Just the same, I thank heavens that I have my writing job and that it keeps stretching me and keeping me fulfilled.
And when I hear from readers that one of my books has given a few hours of pleasure, I feel very grateful.
That said, I've been lazy, lazy, lazy lately -- at least lazy about writing. But I've planted lots of lovely things at Tarzali. And Elliot and I have wasted hours with tape measures and pen and paper, dreaming up a plan for a master bedroom that hangs off the edge of the hill (on poles). And I actually have a beaut idea for a new book, but I've dithered around and let it go stale.
But I know once I immerse myself in the new story (which I must do very soon) the characters will take me by the hand and show me the way.
They always do... and it's been nice to have a laid-back January.

The big day is almost here...

If any Americans are dropping by here today, I want to wish you all the very best for the historic occasion of your new president’s inauguration.
Wow! What a man.
What an incredible moment in history.
In 2003, I visited Washington DC and I stood on those impressive steps in front of the Lincoln memorial. At the time, workmen were embedding a plaque into the concrete to commemorate the very spot where Martin Luther King stood to deliver his famous “I have a dream” speech.
Then I looked up at the other famous words from Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, inscribed in the south wall of the memorial, and I couldn’t help but be moved…
“Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation: conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
It seems so fitting that Obama stood there this week. I think we all feel the connection all around the world between, Abraham Lincoln, JF Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Barack Obama.
A huge burden rests on this man’s shoulders. I don't suppose he's perfect. I guess he can’t possibly get it all right, but I applaud his social conscience and his earnest intention (and his handsome looks!) and I’m thrilled that he’s filled so many, many of his people with hope. Good luck, America! I’ll be getting up at 3.25 a.m. to watch the inauguration on television. I can't wait till midday tomorrow, because I’ll be on the highway again, going back to Tarzali.

Now, girlfriends, here's something to aim for...

Britain's Oldest Romantic Novelist
Posted at 7:58AM Wednesday 14 Jan 2009 Britain's oldest romantic novelist to spend 101st birthday working on her 130th Mills & Boon book.
An author is to celebrate turning 101 by starting her 130th book for Mills & Boon.
Jean MacLeod has been working for the publisher of romantic fiction since 1938 when it brought out her first novel, Life For Two.

Meanwhile, in 2009 I'm celebrating ten years of being a Mills and Boon author. My first book, Outback Wife and Mother, (Gosh that title was a shock to me at the time) was released in May 1999.
And in other news, my RITA winning book, Claiming His Family, has been published in France. It was a bit of a bit of a shock to see my Outback cattleman, Luke Manning, looking like a Frenchman, but if that's how the women in France prefer to see him, I'm not complaining.

Home...

Despite the deluge dumped by Cyclone Charlotte and extensive flooding in Townsville (including the lower part of their home) the baby twins are now putting on weight and are safely home and here are the proud grandparents with one each.

How blessed are we? What a wonderful way to start the new year.

A few days away...

We had to get away for a maintenance trip to Tarzali -- and for a little bit of a holiday after missing out at Christmas. There's nothing quite like spending lazy hours staring at our view and talking, talking... even brainstorming a new book. Many of my stories have started right here, chatting with E...

While we were there, we were visited by guinea fowl, which we love, not only because they look so cute and keep in flocks, but because they eat ticks and chase snakes.

And then, on the way home, we came via Paronella Park, which is a fascinating structure (folly?) built by a Spanish immigrant many years ago. His story is very romantic and I'm amazed the film makers haven't done something with it. This waterfall is on Mena Creek, right next to Paronella and down below you can see an amazing little stone balcony. With the creek swollen with wet season rains and the Spanish architecture, you could almost think you weren't in Australia at all, but somewhere in South America.

I find our country endlessly fascinating.

Blind Date in Australia

For me, 2009 begins with the realease of Blind Date with the Boss in Australia.

This is the book Romantic Times described as "a Cinderella-style fantasy; Sally’s delightful and Logan is completely irresistible. Pure magic, beginning to end."

So while you're out chasing those January sales why not grab a copy and add a little magic to the start of your year?

2009... the year to be decisive?

Happy New Year!

2009 – Year of the wine? Year of the handbag? Year of the Ox? Of living frugally? Of living vicariously through good books?

Actually... it's the International Year of Astronomy!! Yay! More stargazing at Tarzali. Now that's something E and I do want to learn more about.

I do hope your year has started well and that it continues wonderfully. Are you organised? Ready? Have you already given 2009 a great deal of thought?
I have to confess I’ve been so busy lately I can’t answer “yes” to any of the above.
I’ve been deep in the revision cave – yes, all through the lead in to and after Christmas, right up to New Year, I’ve spent long days at my computer rewriting. Holiday plans with family down south were abandoned – such is my dedication to my art. :)

But now I’m surfacing to discover I have a whole brand new year ahead of me. I haven’t reflected on 2008. I haven’t made a “best of” list. I haven’t made any new year's resolutions – although there’s always (every year) the vague but hopeful plan to get thinner and fitter and to seek inner wisdom. I’ve started this year with a stomach bug, so that was, at least, different.

Apart from that, my mind is already humming with the buzz of a new book idea. Can’t help it, you see. It’s an addiction. (Do you read Susan Miller? Yes, I know astrology is not the same as astronomy, but it's close. And Susan's writing is always fascinating.) Anyway, my stars tell me that this is a good year to give up an addiction, but I’m not sure that telling stories is the addiction I’m meant to relinquish. And I’m not giving up reading. So where does that leave me? Will I have to give up wine? Tea? Could I promise to tidy my office instead?

Another vague plan is to give up starting work at 5 a.m. and to go back to having early morning walks.

I can see a pattern of vagueness here.

When I become less vague, and more decisive I’ll let you know. But in the meantime, I'm looking forward to becoming a more informed stargazer. What are your plans? I hope they're inspirational.

Two little heroines...

Monday morning was such an exciting morning for us!!! We had to be at the hospital for an important date -- the birth of our little granddaughters.

Yes, Lilly is now the big sister of twin baby girls. Not that she was there, on that morning. It was just the two sets of grandparents plus Andrew and Addy.
It was a reasonably long wait and we were all chatting away, trying not to look worried or the slightest bit anxious. And suddenly my son Richard appeared in green scrubs, with a huge smile. Within minutes, he was taking us into the nursery to meet Sophie and Milla. So perfect and sweet, lying together in a crib, holding hands. Is there anything in this world as precious as a newborn baby? Such an exciting moment.
I hope to bring you a photo of that moment soon, but for now, here they are a bit later, after gastro tubes were put in. For now, their mum, Lauren, is expressing her milk and it's being fed down the tubes. But I'm sure that won't be for long.



These little girls might be tiny but they're really strong. Watch out world!


Milla (above) and Sophie (below)

And in perfect timing I've just completed my duet, Baby Steps to Marriage.
Expecting Miracle Twins and
The Bridesmaid's Baby
will be out in September and October 2009.

A moment on Christmas Day...

In case there's anyone out there surfing... I'm grabbing a moment on Christmas Day... yes, I actually have a free moment. My Christmas hasn't gone to plan. I'm not down south as I expected to be, but I'll tell you about that some time in the future.

It's hot here in Townsville at Christmas and our a/c is going overtime. We've already had family over for breakfast and for gift exchanges and shortly we'll be heading off to join extended family (daughter-in-law's family) for the main celebrations. We have ducks sizzling in the oven (that's our contribution) and I've made rum balls and Christmas truffles and we'll be drinking mango daiquiris. Well, we do live in the tropics. Yes, we hanker for a traditional Christmas and snow and holly -- but you have to work with what you've got, don't you? We'll be happy. I bought DH his personal mountain of books for Christmas. He's happy. Hope you're all having a lovely day.

Love from,

Barbara

Season's Greetings

Wishing you love and health, good friends and happy reading.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!!

ready and waiting...

Yes that's Lilly and her mum's tum... an extra level of anticpation creeping into our world this Christmas.

A mother moment... mind the brag.

Those of you who have read Blind Date with the Boss may have noticed the dedication at the start.

Special thanks to my daughter Victoria, who knows how to dance.

For quite a few years, my younger daughter (known to most as Vicki, except her older brother who calls her Vixen, natch) used to be a professional dancer with Dance North, and so when I wanted a scene in this book where the heroine Sally, teaches Logan, her boss, how to dance, I immediately turned to Vicki for help.


By this time, Vicki had given up dancing and was busy in the middle of assignments at univeristy, but she downed tools to help me -- even wrote a possible scene, much of which I've used. That cheeky question that Sally asks, "Do you know how to count, Logan?' was Vicki's. So are the descriptions of what it feels like to waltz.
So again, a huge thank you, Vick!!!





She's a creative type, makes gorgeous cards and mobiles. This is a fire hydrant in Brisbane that she and her boyfriend painted. (The one on the right)

But last week, Vicki gave us an extra reason to be very proud of her. She graduated from the Univeristy of Queensland's Occupational Therapy course with first class honours and a prize for jointly scoring the highest grade point average over the four years of the course. Better still, she's going to work for Autism Queensland, as part of their Outreach Team, helping teachers and autistic kids all over the state.
My kind of heroine.

post book business

I’ve been in a kind of post book haze, catching up on all those things I put off while finishing the second book in my duet – like sleep and paying bills and Christmas shopping and making my Christmas cake. Of course, there was the added delight of having Lilly's help in the kitchen.
On the weekend we made a hasty trip to Tarzali for a quick check. There'd been a wild storm up there, so we had broken tree branches to clean up as well as the usual mowing and weeding. In the wet tropics, grass and weeds are the gardener's enemy, but with drought elsewhere, we're not complaining.

Our Tarzali neighbours are currently caring for this dear little orphaned wallaroo (joey). She's called Ellie and she has been very sick, but is now doing very well and eating grass. She sleeps in a towel-lined bag with a slit in the side like her mother's pouch. Isn't she sweet?




On the way back from Tarzali, we photographed this roadside sign that someone has decorated for the festive season. It's out in the middle of nowhere -- so Aussie, isn't it?


Soon, we're dashing south to catch up with the southern half of our clan. As I now have wireless broadband, I hope to keep you posted. Fingers crossed that this year we aren't washed out the way we were last year, as we have to make it back for an important family event. Will no doubt be doing revsions in the midst of all this dashing about.

But at least I'm better off than the Australian author languishing in a Thai jail, because he wrote one sentence in his book that offended the Thai royalty. I'm inclined to agree with his lawyer who said..." it's about time the Australian government put Harry Nicolaides' human rights before its relationship with the Thai government."

Hear, hear.

What personality type is your blog?

Another little gem from Trish Morey...

Have you had you blog's personality analysed?

Check it out here to find out which personality type your blog represents on the Myers-Briggs range.

How does it work?

For a long period of time, we have been training our system to recognize texts that characterize the different types. The system, typealyzer, can now by itself find features that distinguishes one type from another. When all features, words and sentences, are combined typealyzer is able to guess which type its is most likely to be written by using statistical analysis.

This is me, apparently...

ESFP - The Performers

The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves. The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

I think it kinda fits -- certainly fits what I was blogging about last week about the link between writing fiction and acting!!

So... what type is your blog?

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends!!! I have always thought this tradition is one of the very finest I've heard of in any country -- to encourage an entire nation to stop and reflect and give thanks.

And isn't this Norman Rockwell painting just so evocative and nostalgic and feel good and gorgeous?? I give thanks for works of art that lift my spirits.

I'm eternally giving thanks for great books. At the moment I'm nearly at the end of Susan Wiggs's Home Before Dark . I'm slowly catching up on Susan's backlist. Love her work!

I'm also on a deadline for my last book for this year. At the moment, I'm thinking I'll be grateful for next week, when I'm finished and I can lift my head up for a moment and start thinking about Christmas. But then, when I'm not writing, I soon start to get twitchy!!