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

Left Behind & Loving It Workshop Blogs

Yes it's that time of year again. The US RWA National Conference is on again and so is the annual Left Behind & Loving It Workshop Blogs. This is run each year by Lynn Viehl over at Paperback Writer, Lynn has some great prizes on offer, and all you have to do is leave a message on her blog. Plus you will get some fantastic writing help and information.

Here are the topics Lynn will be workshoping:
Monday: July 13th: Conceptual Planning, Construction and Development -- an architectural approach to concept writing.
Tuesday: July 14th: Middlemarch -- plotting and writing the middle of the story.
Wednesday: July 15th: E-Future Part I -- first part of a two-day workshop on digital publishing.
Thursday: July 16st: E-Future Part II -- second part of a two-day workshop on digital publishing.
Friday: July 17th: Art vs. Life -- using your creative talents to find solutions to problems in your writing life and everyday life, especially when the two collide.
Saturday: July 18th: Diversify and Survive -- approaches and strategies to help strengthen your publishing career.
Sunday: July 19th: Agents and Writers -- the reality of literary representation, and how to deal with an agent after signing.
Monday: July 20th: Ask PBW Anything -- Open Q&A where you can grill me on anything writing- or biz-related.

So this year helping Lynn out with workshops:

Alison Kent ~ How To Books that Saved My Life.
Shiloh Walker ~ Epubs - Wondering Where to Start?
Kait Nolan ~ From Pantser To Plotter: How I Joined the Dark Side.
Midnight Spencer ~ Word Count and Categories.
Maria Zannini ~ Killer Campaigns: Marketing Calender.
Rosina Lippi ~ Writing Prompts Series - Who Two?
Six Sexy Sirens ~ E-publishing: From query to Final Edits and Beyond.
Suelder ~ Birds and Flight.
Tamlyn Leigh ~ Break Through Your Writing Fears & Write.

Hope you find something that will interest you at these sites.

Happy writing.
Sandie