I’m excited to see Sharp Shooter is eligible for the Ned Kelly awards for Best First Novel. So many great books there, I’m happy to be in such auspicious company; Emma Boling, Stephen Irwin, Kaaren Warren, Justine Larbalastier and Rhonda Roberts to mention just a few.

And … because I’ve been enjoying so many great book blogs lately, I thought that I’d start showcasing some of them here. I love that the blog owners do this simply for the love of good fiction.

So, if you haven’t been here already, visit …

Spellbound by Books

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Tara Sharp 2 has headed off across the intrawebs to find my editor. Next time I see it, it will be annotated heavily

Thanks again to the wondrous creatures who spurred me on down the home straight. Couldn’t have done it without you.

Now I’m having the weekend off, other than a signing at Chermisde Angus and Robertson tomorrow morning. 10-12pm.

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Janette’s hilarious ‘past the post’ monologue to help me through the dying stages of finishing Tara Sharp book 2 has earned her, her own character.

And in case you missed it:

A-a-a-a-a-and they’re racing…..

For the early lead … that’s Great Plot Points first out of the gate, Engaging Characters away well out of the gate, Supanova Distractions under the whip to move up alongside. Sentient Aliens settling in nicely on the rail by Socio-Political Intrigue and Feminist Treatise moving through between. A length and a half behind, it’s Medication, Multiple Deadlines and Teetotal running neck and neck, with Tara Sharp boxed in behind a wall of horses.

Moving down the backstretch, Great Plot Points and Engaging Characters holding well, but Supanova Distractions is dropping back, he’s making a shambles of this race, he’s gonna have to wait until next year for another look in. Sentient Aliens, Socio-Political Intrigue and Feminist Treatise keeping well in behind.

And Tara Sharp has found a gap. She’s in top gear now, as she ducks past Medication and Teetotal, giving them the slip under the rail. And now she’s past Multiple Deadlines, eating up the course with her giant strides. The pace is wicked! Tara Sharp on the outside now, flying past Sentient Aliens, Socio-Political Intrigue and Feminist Treatise. This beaut little filly has taken third, and STILL she’s flying for the finish!

Great Plot Points and Engaging Characters are keeping up the pace, they’re making her pull for all she’s worth, but she’s gliding around this track now! On the final straight now, and Tara Sharp’s taken second place, she’s ahead of Engaging Characters as they come up the last half furlong, and she’s neck and neck with Great Plot Points!

It’s Great Plot Points! Tara Sharp! Great Plot Points! Tara Sharp! Great Plot Points! Tara Sharp!

Oh, there’s no way to call it, ladies and gentlemen! The crowd have gone wild! We’re waiting on the photo finish now… and… it’s Tara Sharp! The clever filly from Perth has made it by a nose, and I’m sure her owners and trainers will be delighted with this result.

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I’m in the home stretch of Tara Sharp book 2. Crossing the finish line on Friday. I need to hear the spectator shouts to get me home. Whoever shouts the loudest and bestest encouragement gets a character named after them in the next book. I’m listening …

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As you will know if you’ve been reading this blog, I munching my way through the more recent Michael Connelly novels. The Lincoln Lawyer and The Brass Verdict are both written through the eyes of Mickey Haller, a defense attorney whose office is in the back of his car. While I enjoyed the actual stories and smooth writing, the thing I found most interesting was seeing how well Connelly could create another character in the same world as Bosch without making him just a carbon copy of his long time protagonist. Writers have a tendency to repeat characters, most times unintentionally. In The Brass Verdict, lawyer Haller, ends up working with detective Bosch, and its a beautiful ‘writerly’ challenge seeing Connelly differentiate the characters.

There are similarities, for sure, but ultimately enough differences to make the story work. Haller isn’t quite as principled as Bosch but is as determined and focussed.

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Over at my YA site, Bec Stafford asks opinions on favourite BF’s in YA Fiction.

Friendships and relationships are the nexus of good fiction in my opinion. If I had to pick some of my favourites in crime fic, I’d say Tara and Smitty (from Sharp Shooter, natch!) but I’d add Myron and Win, and of course Stephanie Plum and Lulu. Who do you like?

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The Glitter Rose collection which features my interlinked stories set on Carmine Island (a whimsical extrapolation of my time living on Stradbroke Island) are now available for pre-order from Twelfth Planet Press. This book will be a hardcover, limited edition with internal illustrations and a preface by Trent Jamieson. This is collectors item, and something I’ll only do once. The stories are my homage to two authors who entranced me with the tragic romance of their stories; Ballard (Vermilion Sands) and Dowling (Twilight Beach).

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Sitting day after day writing, alone, can be tough stuff. We’re social animals by and large and we spark off interaction with like minded souls. I learned early on that I had to reward myself for hard and often lonely periods of work by having some UP time. My recent reward was attending the Supanova Pop Expos in Melbourne and Brisbane. Guest appearances at events like this can be absolute food for the soul. World Con in Melbourne in September this year will be another such experience. Remember to plan fun things during your year, and more importantly find a way to spend time with other creative people in a social situation. You’ll find it makes you a much better writer.

How could the President of the Colonies not inspire you!

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Virginia and her mum came past the Borders stall at Supanova and we talked about Sharp Shooter.  Virginia then went and bought the book. YAY for Virginia!

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My Supanova round up is over at the MDP site, but I would like to add how thrilled I was to see that Allen and Unwin had a stall at the expo, displaying their graphic novels and illustrated works. I got the opportunity to meet Liz, Erica and Chris and enjoyed talking to them. Also met the talented Nicki Greenberg who has illustrated a graphic novelisation of The Great Gatsby. Amazing stuff!

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