Clayton's Conference 2009

RWAustralia Clayton’s Conference is over for another year. We had a lot of fun with the Inaugural Clayton’s Conference Awards. Some really great entries in all categories, as well as the weekend writing challenges. You all know how much I love writing challenges. LOL. So goodie bags are packed ready to send out, just need to print off Our Sponsor’s Information leaflet to go with each bag and I’m finished until next year.

On the writing front, not a lot has happened. ‘Robin Hood and His Merry Maid’ has been released by Kiwi Writers. I’d like to expand on this one, but I’m thinking instead of this short story being the last in the series, I’ll make it the first, which is why Robin goes on his lustful journey. All I need to do is keep it a bay long enough so I can get my editing done. I may write ‘Robin’s Adventures’ for NaNoWriMo this year. I have just over two months to get my act together.

Tannia Franklin did a ‘Time Management’ workshop with us over the weekend, I think I need to get some of that happening. Thanks Tannia. I’d also like to thank: Anne Whitfield, Zana Bell, Joanna Challis, Heather Brown, Rhian Cahill, Diane Curran and Valerie Parv, for taking the time to hold workshops and chats we us over the Clayton’s weekend. I also have a mile of people to thank for donations, I’ll do that tomorrow.

Okay, I’m off favourite son-in-law has just arrived. See ya.
Sandie

Rhian Cahill Hits the Book Stands

That's right the talented Rhian Cahill's first novella 'One Nite in Bangkok' has hit the Book Stands. Released today by Noble Romance Publishing this novella is sure to get your heart racing. Pop over and have a read of the excerpt at either Rhian's Blog or the Noble Romance site for RC's book and don't forget to order your copy today.

Rhian has also unveiled her new look website today, this is one busy lady and it doesn't look like slowing down any time soon.

CONGRATULATIONS RHIAN CAHILL.

Sandie

Way to go Rhian Cahill

She has done it! Yes my writing buddy Rhian Cahill has sold her first story 'One Night In Bangkok' . How cool is that? Pop over to her site and have a read of what she has to say. From me to the wonderful RC, mega CONGRATULATIONS.

Sandie

Thursday's Thoughts

Well my writing has come to a grinding holt the last couple of days. If I sit to writing at the computer my mind goes blank. I’ve made a few notes in my notepad, but anywhere near enough. I think this upset with my Mum is getting to me. So, I’m going to put everything on hold until I get that sorted out. If I feel like writing I will, if not I’m not going to beat myself up about it.

I did an interview with my hero from ‘The Godmother’s Wish’ Romanos Makris on ‘Let’s Talk Heroes’. Lucy has been updating her diary on ‘Diary of a Heroine’ so I’m at least learning a little about my characters. The diary thing is interesting it is like they are sitting there writing in front of me. Oh, and I have to writing them longhand before I transcribe them to the blog.

I’ve written a review for Robyn Grady’s ‘Baby Bequest’ on my Review site, really enjoyed reading it, Robyn is great to read.

Hope you all are finding the time to write and getting the words on paper. I’ve also made it into the next round of Karin Tabke’s ‘One Line’ along with Rhian Cahill and her CP Mari Carr WOOHOO.

See ya later.
Sandie

Going Oh So Slowly

My writing is moving slower than a snail at the moment. It has nothing to do with the story, well I don't think it does anyway. No, I think it is more that I have too much going on in the outside world.

My Mum is not doing all that well at the moment and it is looking more likely that she will have to go into aged care. She is going into rest spite next week for a few weeks and we are hoping to get more in home care for her so she can stay in her own home, all we can really do is wait and see. I've decided I don't think I want to get old, it is the pitts.

So on top of that I'm getting more headaches, (well migraines). I don't have time for that crap. I have a novella to write. I'm at 5,351 of my 20,000 words with 17 days to go. So that is words a day I need to write as well as edit and do re-writes on 'We Were In Love'. I do not have time to be down for two and three days with migraines.

On to other news, I'm still in Karin Tabke 'One Line' contest. YAY. Really thought I'd go this week. So I've made the top 50, not bad, I'm happy. Rhain Cahill is still going strong as well, not sure about any other Aussies. I'll have to have a good read through them all and see if I can work it out.

I've written my first two reviews for Fallen Angel Reviews I'm not sure when they get posted to the site. I'm enjoying writing reviews, I'm reading novels I don't normally read and learning a lot about writing as well. I have a few reviews I've written for Writers and Readers of Distinctive Fiction on my Review Blog , you'll also find my Angel me there, LOL it's the only time I've been an angel.

Okay that is it for this update. See ya next time.

Sandie

Clayton's Conference and Other Things

Heaven’s has it been that long since I did a post. What a slack butt I am. I’ve been busy with writing, editing and family. Plus RC and I ran this year’s Clayton’s Conference. That was a lot of fun we had some great workshops and chats. The feedback was positive which was a relief; it’s always hard to take on a project someone else has worked on for a number of years. So when Julie-Ann asked if I would be willing to run this years Clayton's I was a little nervous, but thought "If I don't give it a go I'd kick myself." Of course then I asked RC if she wanted to come play as well. Thank you Julie-Ann for allowing us to watch over your baby this year.

We had a ‘Novella Workshops’ by Shiloh Walker, ‘Ask the Author Anything’ with the talented Allison Rushby very interesting. It was wonderful of Allison to take time away from her family to chat with us. RC did a workshop on ‘Sensory Overload’, that had us all thinking and was a great lead into Sunday evening. Laney Cairo’s “Mechanical Sex’ was fantastic; we had a great time over all.

I’d like to take the time to thank all our sponsors for donation of their time and prizes, without these people the weekend would not have been such a great success. I hope you’ll go and visit their sites (just click on their names) and learn a little about these talented women. Allison Rushby, multi-published author of Adult and Young Adult. Anna Campbell , author of dark, sexy regency historical romance. Anne Whitfield, multi-published author of historical and contemporary romance. Annie West, Annie writes, Presents and Modern romance. Elisabeth Rose, has her second novel with Avalon due for release in October. Janet Woods, Janet’s 22nd novel will be published in 2009. Laney Cairo, is a multi-published author of erotic romance. N.J. Walters, has over 30 novels published in romance and erotic romance. Rhian Cahill, now this is an author’s name to remember, Rhian writes erotic romance and it is only a matter of time before she hits it big. Shiloh Walker, Shiloh is a multi-published author with Berkley, Ellora's Cave and Samhain Publishing.


I have some great news from the Melbourne conference. Diane Curran got a request for a partial how cool is that? Go over to Diane’s blog and have a look. There were a few girls that got ‘The Call’ or request for partial’s or full manuscripts. Congratulations to all.


My writing is coming along slowly at the moment. Had four more ideas jump into my head the other day. I’ve jotted them down and I’m trying very hard to stop them from moving into the ‘Head City Motel’ I really need to empty some rooms up there.


I also did a couple of on line workshops, they were fun. One was about time management. Let’s face it; I need to get into a route. The fact that I haven’t posted here for so long is a sure sign of that let alone my other blogs. As for Facebook, well lord only knows how many applications I’ll have over there. But now I have my trusty time manage techniques and I’ll be able to do all the things I need to do and a well organised manner. (She’s says crossing her fingers).


I have a new challenge coming up soon. ‘From Start to Published’ yep, this is a big one. Twelve months, twelve months to write edit and submit a novel. Okay I have a few I’m working on now to get ready to submit and enter a few contests. But the one for FSTP is my historical novel. The research that I’ve been doing, oh and the cool sites I’ve been playing at, I’ve had a blast. Come November 1, I’ll be ready to rock and roll with my novel, I hope.


Alright I need to go and get some housework done so I can get back into my writing. I have contests to enter, query letters to send off and manuscripts to research, start, finish or edit. The life or a writer is never done. When one motel door closes another opens.

Hugs
Sandie