Have just added eight new reviews to Aussiereviews – the first for 2008. It feels good – hope you enjoy them.
Another busy day today – I did over 14 000 steps, mostly while sweeping and mopping my floors!
So I have clean floors, but still managed some work (household chores don’t count as work – they are just a tedious necessity). I added nine new book reviews to Aussiereviews, including three by other reviewers. I also helped Pemberthy to compose a new poem – his first for quite some time – in response to a writing prompt at Elizabeth Bezant’s blog. And I spent a little time with Roberto, who keeps whispering his story to me. Actually, Roberto doesn’t whisper – he is not a quiet character. I am having fun getting to know him.
Am still reading The Melting Pot, though I’m hoping to finish it before bedtime, which isn’t too far away. Goodnight.
Busy Saturday
Today was my second full day wearing a pedometer. I’ve been working hard on my fitness the past couple of months, and figured a pedometer might motivate me to keep active. Yesterday I managed 8500 steps, without changing my routine at all – which I thought was pretty good, considering my Friday routine involves a good amount of time at my desk. But today’s total is better – 11990 steps so far (at 10pm). Again, didn’t try to get it up high – and was disappointed to find it didn’t click over as I rode the exercise bike this morning. I did have two spells in the garden, weeding, planting and watering, so this certainly boosted the total.
Writing-wise I’ve also had a busy day. I managed to write four new reviews – two picture books, one dictionary and a chapter book. These will be uploaded when I update Aussiereviews, hopefully in the next few days. I also have four other new reviews waiting to be uploaded. These were contributed by other reviewers.
What else? I managed to help Pemberthy Bear write a new blog post, did a little frog research, for a non fiction title I’m working on, and also wrote what I hope will become the start of a new children’s novel. A character started speaking to me this afternoon and I just had to jot down what he was saying. His name’s Roberto and he has attitude and ambition, a good combination for any main character. So far his story is just flowing, so I hope it’ll continue.
Have also read half a book today. I’m reading The Shadow Thief, by Alexandra Adornetto (what a wonderful name for an author). This is a clever, humorous fantasy, inspired by Peter Pan, but certainly not a clone of this title. Am looking forward to seeing how it concludes. I’m near the end now, having started it yesterday, and, if I can keep my eyes open, might get it finished by bedtime.
Speaking of bedtime, must go tuck some Murphlets in to bed.
Busy, but Writing
Phew! School went back last week and, rather than having more time on my hands with the Murphlets out of the house, I have been busier than ever. Not much time for blogging, when I’m in and out of the house all day long.
Today, though, I’ve had a few hours at home and so I’ve been doing some catching up. Have just posted ten new reviews to Aussiereviews. It’s hard to choose a pick of the bunch this time as they really were an excellent bunch of books.
I should mention, though, the three James Moloney books – Crossfire, Touch Me and The Bridge to Wiseman’s Cove, as well as the one I reviewed earlier in the month, The House on River Terrace. I don’t often get to immerse myself in so many books by one author so close together, but UQP have just re-released these four and so I received them to review. Lucky me!
If you haven’t read Moloney’s work before, here is your chance to discover him. For myself, I discovered that reading so many boy-centred books closely together has helped me to refocus on a manuscript I wrote some time ago and which I knew needed a rewrite. So, in my writing time, I’ve been taking another look at that and so far am pleased with the results.
I’m also tinkering with a chapter book rewrite and have written three first drafts of new poems this week. Oh, and I put together another proposal for an educational title.
Now it’s back to work. Enjoy the reviews.
Some Great Reads
With two weeks of school holidays meaning more time at home, I’ve been doing a lot of reading, and today I’ve added fourteen new reviews to Aussiereviews. As always, there’s a range of books, from picture books through to some chilling crime fiction, but the book I want to highlight is Marty’s Shadow, by John Heffernan. This young adult read is one of those books where you think you can see what’s coming, but are surprised (even shocked) by the twists and turns. Murphlet 3 caught me sitting at the table sobbing when I finished the book. I felt emotionally wrung out but at the same time satisfied – I believed in this story and cared deeply about what happened, a sure sign of an excellent piece of writing.
You can read my review of Marty’s Shadow here.
One of the wonderful thigns about being a book reviewer is that I get to read such a wide range of books, from books like Marty’s Shadow, to laugh out loud books like picture book Whacko the Chook and absorbing literary fiction like The Butterfly Man.
Lucky me.
Three New Articles Online
Some time ago, I decided it was time I wrote an article explaining to published authors how the review process works. I sat down one evening with some tips floating around my head, and just a couple of hours later discovered I had written not one, but three articles outlining the review process, from submitting a book, to it being read by potential purchasers, and on to using the review to promote the book.
Anyway, I’m delighted to announce that that these three articles are now available online at one of the foremost websites for writers, Writing World. I am delighted to have my articles included on this site, as it’s been an excellent resource for me over several years. It is packed full of excellent advice on all aspects of writing. I was doubly excited when I discoverd that my artciles are currently featured on the home page of thsi wonderful site.
The three articles, written from my dual perspective as reviewer and as an author who has been reviewed, are:
The Review Process: How a Book Gets Reviewed
So You Got a Review — Now What? And
Who Reads Book Reviews Anyway?
I’m hoping these three will be useful in demystifying the review process for other authors. And, if you’re not at the stage of looking for reviews, perhaps you’ll find some of the other articles at Writing World of use.
Enjoy!
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