Finding Our Heroes

Where do you find your hero material? Do you mould your fictional hero after someone you know? Or is he a mixture of a number of men or women you admire? Of course the last one is, is he completely made up?

For me it depends on the hero I’m working on at the time. Most of my heroes are figments of my imagination. Not that I don’t have men in my life that would make great heroes to write about. I think for me anyway, I like to keep my men separate. The real flesh and blood from those that wander around in my head strutting their stuff. And believe me some of them strut.

Just lately I’ve been finding I’m looking to the normal Joe Blow on the street to tailor my heroes looks after. Now this new angle started the other month when I went to a horse show. Than a couple of weeks ago, I went to a Spring Ball at my Mum’s nursing home and there dancing with his Mum was my perfect young stud muffin hero. I have the perfect story to slot him into, well it’s a spin off from my first NaNoWriMo novel. I’m not sure if this will be the novel I’ll be writing for this year’s NaNo yet, will have to see which hero pushes his way to the front of the line. I have three new novels I can work on for November. Umm… do you think I’d get into too much trouble if I went around the streets taking photos of good looking strangers? LOL.


It was my anniversary yesterday. I’ve been married for thirty-three years to my own special hero. Now what makes Jim so special is that he puts up with me. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. “If I’d married me, I would have divorced myself within the first twelve months.” He has the patients of a saint most of the time, I’m not going to say he perfect, but he’s pretty darn great. You know what? So was my Dad, it was not uncommon for my Dad to sit for hours waiting on my Mum to do shopping or go to church. I have to admit, I don’t think any of my heroes have patients.

Yes, this is me on my wedding day.

Well that’s me for this week, yes, I’m scheduling my own blog for once a week updates (well this blog anyway). This is part of my October is get organized month. Let’s see how long it lasts. I’m off to write a blog for Bootcamper 109, I’ve been a big slack butt in that area. (Hanging my head in shame.) I also have a post for the RWAus 50/30 blog, and my ‘Criusin’ the Blog’ & Members News for RWAustraila Blog. We have some great blogs coming up next week as well as some fantastic members news.

Until next time.
Sandie

Father's Day

What did you do for Father’s Day? We had friends and family arrive. Spent the day chatting and taking photos. They had horses to wash (not me – I hate the smell of wet horsehair). I just took a few photos to add to our website. I think I finally have Natan Paint Horse Stub website sorted.

My son and his girlfriend arrived just before lunch. Laura is moving home this weekend YAY, Dan decided to help her pack by tossing her clothes into the back of his ute by the arm full. MEN!!!

Dan (DS) playing rally car driver & Laura (DDIL) riding Image.

While the girls rode their horses, the boys decided to play the only way boys know how, in mud. I don’t think they ever grow up. LOL. My son-in-law and grandson had a great time driving through the muddy water.

Clint (DGS) playing in mud & Clint & (DSIL) Colin after the mudfest.

Tammy (DD) riding Dude & Clint giving Dude a mud kiss.

Writing is going slow at the moment but hopefully will I will pick up the pace this week. I’ve been doing some research on artificial insemination for a new novel, yes I know, I need a new novel about as much as I need to jump in freezing water. Never the less, I have the story there, so need the information. I finished edits on CC’s novella, so she will be happy at least. Have now started on her second novel that needs editing. On that note, I had better get to it.

Happy writing.
Sandie

Finding New Heroes

Didn’t get much writing done over the weekend, but I did find a new hero for a novel somewhere down the track. (below) Hubby with Natans Rain.
I went to a horse show yesterday with hubby and daughter, first show of the season and they came home happy with their day. Now I’m the first to admit that sitting (or standing) around a horse show all weekend is not one of my favourite pass times. I mean, I could be writing. But I thought I’d do the right thing and show my support. Here’s a couple of pictures of them in the show ring.
(below) photo of daughter with
Natans Dun Sliden. This is
her 2 year old gelding.
Now you may ask what this has to do with me finding a new hero. Have a look at the judge for the day. Hot!!! A couple of the girls decided to enter a few more events just so they could ride around looking at him. The picture isn’t very clear but you’ll get a good idea of what he was like. I have to say, if the show committee continue to rake in judges like this one, I just may have to go to more shows. LOL. Of course I’ll be there to support my family as well.

Plan for the week: Edit 'Rich Man' 5 pages per day is the goal. Plus add 500 words (at least) each day to 'Best Friend' or 'Surrender'.
Until next time.
Sandie

Finding Time to Procrastinate

It's funny how one day you can have all the energy to write and edit, and the next you will do just about anything to get away from writing and editing. I had a day like that today. Not that it was a total waste of time, but I didn't spend anytime at all on my current work/s.

No, I had a wonderful time screaming at my computer as I tried to put a website together for our horse stud. Why did I spend my time screaming? Because my computer was taking forever to load pictures. Talk about old man syndrome. Here's a picture of our baby that was born last week. Natans Showman, he's by a stallion one of our friends own SC Showdown. Showman was the first foal of the season, not a bad start. Now we are waiting on Gem our older mare to foal, she's over due. Than her sister Tips is due at the end of September.

Anyway if you would like to have a look at our webs site here's the link: http://www.natanpainthorses.com I still have some work to do to it, but it's not bad for the first day. Hubby is happy anyway, so that's a plus.

I'm heading off to bed, it's 3.30am and our Grandson is with us tonight, so I'll have to be up early. Tomorrow I'll put a few hours in on my writing, plus reading and writing reviews, drawing up interview questions, and more work on the website.

Bye for now.

Sandie

Thank You to the Generous Sponsors of Clayton's

Yes, I know I was supposed to do this last week, but I’m a slack butt. Ask anyone they will tell you. Anyway, let’s move on. Last week I told you about the lovely women that donated their time to chat and run workshops for the Clayton’s Conference, this week I’m going to tell you about the wonder women that donated prizes for our contests, challenges and goodie bags.
First off, I’d like to thank Rachel Bailey and Bronwyn Jameson for posting notices in the RWA Heart Talks magazine and rallying the authors via the published authors loop. Bronwyn has continued to help me out over the last few months. Click on the books for links to the author's sites.

A Big Thank you to:

Please visit the sites and if possible support our sponsors by buying their latest book or novel. Also Wagtail Cottage for their support.

Thank you everyone once again for your support.

Sandie

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

Clayton's Conference & Other Things

I know it may seem like I've been AWOL but I can assure you I've been busy. Busy working on getting things organized for the RWAustralia Clayton's Conference. It is shaping up to be a big one this year. We have writing challenges organised and we're going to have an awards night on the Saturday to coincided with the National Awards night. Rhian Cahill is helping out again plus we have our other partner in crime Diane Curran, how lucky am I?

Now I do have other news, my short story 'Robin and His Merry Maids' will be released in the Kiwi Writers Challenge Collection shortly. Very excited about that one.

I'm still editing, think I'll be doing that for a few months. Not sure if I'll be finished the editing in time to start a new story for NaNoWriMo this year, but I'm thinking if I want to get into the submitting thing, I'd better get the editing sorted.

What do you think of my new header? Yes I've had a do over with my blogs and Website I like this one, it's simple.

Right now, I'm off to bed, seeing it is 1 am. Catch ya next time.
Sandie