Tag Archives: YA Fiction

Shorts Award

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An exciting announcement today saw Immortal Mistake short-listed for the young adult published fiction category of the CALEB prize. Surprising and thrilling, it is always humbling to have one’s work recognised alongside other quality stories crafted by skilled wordsmiths, especially fellow YA short listed, Jenny Glazebrook, and Rosanne Hawke. These are two talented writers and you should seriously check out their work, if you haven’t already.

I’m grateful to Omega Writers for this opportunity and congratulate all authors who made submissions, and applaud those who have been short-listed across the different divisions. It will be an exciting moment when category winners are announced in September. Stay tuned! 😊

G’day, G’day

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I have an honest question for which I’d love to know your thoughts. If you’ve not realised yet, I am an Australian author of near-science, techno-medical YA thrillers set IN Australia, and not ONE of my books contains a “g’day”. I’d not really thought about this, as it’s not a word that I use in my vocabulary, until recently …

Photo Credit: Plate Providers

Yesterday I was watching a live online discussion when the question was thrown out to the chat, “Do Australians really say, “g’day’?” To my surprise many claiming to be Australians said, “Yes.” I started counting in my head the few people I know who actually use this saying and, not to be disrespectful, most of them I realised were … mature … more mature than me, at least.

To be fair, I’m not a teenager anymore (shhh), but I do not use this greeting (unless satirically playing up to preconceived expectations, perhaps). Also, when Australians use this saying, the “g” is not thick and hard, the way most non-Australians say it. It’s more like a passing note, barely emphasised when playing.

This was the first time I’d ever felt compelled to add my opinion to a live, online chat. I could feel the, “Nooooo, we don’t!” building in me. My mind filled with visions of international tourists staggering into an airport after a long-haul flight wearily matching colloquial dialect with bold, “G’days”, only to be stared at and greeted with a polite, amused, “Hello.”

So, I cast it to the masses (well, the two or three who might read this blog and respond, lol). Am I an Australian anomaly? (Be kind!) In your experience is this something Australians say more often than I believe they do? Could it be an age/era-related usage? Or locale-linked?

Feel free to share your thoughts. You can even drop in a, “G’day,” if it makes you feel better. 😉

Blogger? Let’s Hope

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“So, you’re a blogger?”
“Er … yes …”

Ever experienced that lengthy pause, before launching into a disclaimer about how you haven’t blogged in X months and why? Well lately that’s been me. You see, this year has been a bit on the supercharged side of busy. So I’ve been rather quiet blog wise.

The last few weeks I’ve been trying to wrestle out enough time to change that. Not only because it’s rather awkward when “blogger” is prominently featured on your business card (whose idea was that???), but I’ve had some wonderful experiences I’ve wanted to share with my faithful followers. (Let’s face it, by now you deserve some kind of medal!)

Symposiums seem to be the theme of the season. Recently I found myself in Sydney as an attendee, and last week I had the privilege of being involved in the “Unleash the Beast” event in Toowoomba, as part of International Mental Health Day. Annexed to that symposium, was “Write Around Toowoomba” hosted by the City Library, for which I presented “Finding Hope Through Fiction”.

Now, you never quite know who’ll turn up to your presentations, but I can tell you I had a small but amazing group of attendees. As I shared from some of the themes in the Blaine Colton Trilogy and other YA novels I’ve read lately, I was so appreciative for the insightful and well considered responses of the group. And our focus? Hope.

With Mental Wellness being such a broad and multilayered issue, this was the idea that just kept coming up as I was preparing. I figured I’d best pay attention! Given YA literature has been associated with dark/grim kind of plots, it was great to hear other’s thoughts on this, along with exploring ways to find hope for ourselves, and others in our circle of influence.

Particularly encouraging is that we don’t need to have all the answers to care for and support someone going through a difficult time, and our own perseverance through hardship isn’t wasted—for ourselves and others. That’s how we can learn to be hopeful.

It’s good to be reminded that even in the darker days in life, hope can work its way into our circumstances. And how beautiful to know we can be a part of that journey toward hope for others, too.

Blog Award Tour

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JeanetteOHaganWrites250Fantasy author and science-fiction fan, Jeanette O’Hagan has tagged me for the Blog Award Tour. Jeanette has lived in Australia and Africa; has practiced medicine; taught theology; accumulated a few degrees, including recently completing a Master of Arts (Writing); and is actively engaged in a caring Christian community. She is currently caring for her young children and writing her Akrad Legacy series, while co-editing the Glimpses of Light anthology, which is due for release later this year. Jeanette has had short works published, including contributing to the Tied in Pink a romance anthology supporting breast cancer research. Last month she also donned her ‘cabin coordinator’ hat and dragged me and a bunch of other writers along for a fantastic ‘CampNaNoWriMo’ ride. (Thanks Jeanette and cabin buddies!) In summary, Jeanette is basically superwoman who doesn’t need to wear a cape to prove it!

As part of the Blog Award Tour, Jeanette has asked me to answer four questions for today. She’s also tagged two other fantastic authors: Lynne Stringer (blogged 27th July) and Alison Stegert (blogging 10th August), so make sure you look up their posts. As for me, let’s get ‘touring’!

1. WHAT YOU’RE WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
Where do I start? Okay, I’ve just (July CampNaNoWriMo ‘just’) finished the first draft of the third book for my YA Integrate trilogy, so I’ll be working through that over the next period – and all the research and revision fun that entails. I’ve just completed final revisions for Replicate, the second book in that same trilogy. (It’s coming at the end of the year, so keep an eye out!) I’m presently undertaking revisions for the Glimpses of Light anthology (in between prepping for some upcoming writing workshops), and am also about to receive my historical fiction ms, A Devil’s Ransom, for final revisions any day now. As you can see I’m not bored. 🙂

2. HOW DOES YOUR WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS IN YOUR GENRE?
CoverIntegrateI write a complex plot, where the characters’ greatest battles are the ones they face within themselves. I feel I write from a fairly unusual combination of experiences, which can make for some fun (and at times peculiar!) story developments. Exploring the scenario of an illegal human GMO made Integrate an interesting and unique work to bring together. The outworking of this premise saw many themes emerge through Blaine’s challenges. Similar themes, including ethics, human value, identity and IP rights continue with a bit more of a crime spin in Replicate. The plot of A Devil’s Ransom also has multiple complicating threads, with a strong redemption theme. The spiritual journey of the main protagonist causes him to face the ultimate question: what kind of man will he choose to be – even if that choice brings fatal repercussions? I guess I don’t like to make things too easy for my protagonists.ADevilsRansom

3. WHY DO YOU WRITE OR CREATE WHAT YOU DO?
I love stories. Life is one big story (with an awesome Master Designer) and we are threads in that incredible fabric. There is something nearly compelling about writing out the stories that come into my head, which is essentially how I started writing novels. Many years ago I had a repetitive dream and started writing it down. It soon grew into a novel length work – and obviously I didn’t think to stop there! (Even though I found I had a lot to learn about writing.) I feel writing brings together the contrasting elements of who I am and in that union there is a purposeful voice that seeks to share those ever expanding journeys; in the right time, in the right season.

4. HOW DOES YOUR WRITING/CREATIVE PROCESS WORK?
I would like to believe I am more inclined to be plotter, but I am clearly not enough of a disciplinarian to keep my characters in order. In the last two manuscripts I started them out on the story arc and they promptly decided to do their own thing! (So naughty of them.) Usually I get an idea, whether that’s in conjunction with research or even a particular experience or setting, and something usually sparks a strong visual image followed swiftly by a scenario. Soon I know where the story is headed and where it will end. I tend to research and write in turn (with frequent heavenward pleas for creativity and insight). If there are a lot of research elements, I like to get it all in my head and write, otherwise the developing story can take you too far away from the boundaries in which you must create. I know I’ve mentioned this previously, but if I get really stuck I have a very spiritual approach to this – a special prayer that goes something like this. ‘Help! I’ve got no idea what to do with this!’ LOL – though it’s true! (And I say that more often than you might expect.) After completing the first draft I go back and with each revisions add additional layers to the manuscript as I determine the finer details of the storyline. In fact, I’m just starting that process with the sequel to Replicate.

Thanks ‘Super Jeanette’ for inviting me aboard the Blog Award Tour. Now I get the delightful job of tagging the next Blog Award Tour participant. It’s my pleasure to introduce to you the remarkable Rita Stella Galieh.

RitaPicRita is an Australian with an English, Scottish and Jewish heritage. She started inventing adventure stories in her childhood with her Grandma, to entertain themselves while her mum worked. With encouragement from her mother, she spent after-school hours writing little poems in the children’s section of the Sunday papers. Not only did this provide pocket money, it also planted the seed for writing. As a student at Sydney’s National Art School, she became a committed follower of Christ, and during this time her family built up a pottery studio where she eventually worked as a ceramic artist. Upon meeting fiery young violinist, George Elias Galieh, they shared ideas and sparks flew! They became singing partners, married and attended the Emmaus Bible College in preparation to follow their desire to use their talents in evangelism for the Lord’s glory. They welcomed a son in the early years of their adventures together.

Rita aims to captivate her readers while remaining faithful to God honouring theology. This fulfils a long held desire to write stories that entertain and inspire – and her stories have all the ingredients to match these expectations for her readers. She gives one hundred percent of herself to her stories and is not afraid to enable her writing to expose raw emotions, which she sees as a pathway to healing when released the ultimate Healer. She has a passion for writing historical romance with both intrigue and adventure, and really enjoys researching the 19th century Victorian Era with all its undercurrents.

To find out more about Rita and her writing, make sure you visit her website and don’t forget to keep an eye out for her ‘Blog Award Tour’ post next week (10th August) at www.ritastellapress.com/author-blog.

Writing Process Blog Tour

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I’ve been invited to the join the Writing Process Blog Tour by the delightful Anusha Atukorala. Anusha is the author of non-fiction title Enjoying the Journey, and she is an incredibly inspirational lady with a positive outlook on life. She sees life as a journey and, even in the face of rain clouds and storms, chooses to dance – even in the slushy mud puddles! Anusha has also written two sequels to her non-fiction title, children’s fiction, and is in the process of writing a novel for adults. Read more about Anusha and her work at http://anusha-atukorala.webnode.com/blog/I know you’ll be inspired.

For those new to the Writing Process Blog Tour concept, essentially it’s an opportunity for authors to showcase their current work-in-progress by responding to four pre-set questions (below), and then introduce another author who blogs the following week on their own work. Now, let’s get to those questions!

 

CoverIntegrateWhat am I working On?

Last week I completed a round of revisions on my YA novel Integrate, which is scheduled for release in September this year (through Rhiza Press). Over the course of the month I’ve also been writing the sequel to this novel. As motivation, I’ve set myself a writing target for March to complete the sequel’s first draft, along with a small poetry goal. You can follow the final week of #marchmakemakeithappen via Twitter or my Facebook author page. (Just don’t look too closely at last week’s efforts! Bit of a bomb out with my attention diverted to other tasks! Fortunately I did extra the week before to make up for it. LOL!)

 

 How does my work differ from others of its genre?

My current YA projects tell the story of Blaine Colton (Integrate), a young man whose life has been saved by revolutionary gene therapy for a genetic condition. With a professional background in science, I have aimed to make it as conceivably valid as possible, given it’s an extension of reality, and really play on the “what ifs” of scientific advances in relation to treating heritable disease. This establishes a platform for exploring a number of life–value themes against a dramatic, fast-paced plot.

Why do I write what I do?

I believe that every author brings their own unique voice to their writing. I also feel that my writing stems from a sense of having a story to tell, and strongly believe that the right words in season don’t just plop out onto a page (or screen) by coincidence. When I write I aim to not just entertain, but also journey with the reader in a search for greater meaning of themes explored through a given work. By exploring matters of life — love, family, faith and more — I endeavour to examine a variety of elements in a way that offers positive connection and hopefulness to a reader.

How does my writing process work?

I am not really a pantser (one who writes by the seat of their pants), but I am also not a writer who must have every detail nailed down before they can begin writing. Probably the key steps in my writing process begin with having a sound understanding of the key plot, story arc and main characters; and undertaking sufficient research in advance of writing to enable clear guidelines for story development and a mental map of the boundaries in which the plot must develop. In conjunction with these fundamental elements, I’m becoming a fan of the fast first draft concept. But when it seems the creative juice bar has closed down and the story–arc has drooped in the middle, I find the “Help God, I’ve got nothing” prayer one of the best ways forward!

Next week’s Writing Process Blog Tour will feature an exciting and remarkably motivated author, Elizabeth “Buffy” Greentree. Buffy is a writer, educator and entrepreneur, who has spent time amongst the ranks of academia and tutoring creative writing at a tertiary level, penning fiction, and delivering motivational online forums on fitness and writing (amongst other things). The title of her latest release, The Nice Guy’s Guide to Online Dating Profiles, with the tagline “The perfect if not subtle gift” suggests a uniquely humorous perspective on online dating and her online presence is vastly represented by no less than five domains offering an array of blogs and purpose specific websites encompassing her broad interests with a refreshingly humorous perspective. Buffy has also published The Five Day Writer’s Retreat and John Verry. Look her up on social media at https://www.facebook.com/BuffyGreentree

 For more information, Buffy’s online headquarters are at http://www.thebuffygroup.com/ with links to her sites. Direct links can also be found below. Make sure you check out her Writer’s Progress Blog Tour on the 31st March at http://www.100firstdrafts.com/. It’ll be worth the wait!

http://www.buffyandgod.com/

http://personalfitnessbasecamp.com/?doing_wp_cron=1395352334.0828840732574462890625

http://aroundofwordsin80days.wordpress.com/sponsors-2/elizabeth-buffy-greentree/