My Lucky Seven

Some of you may have noticed a little game of tag going around. It's called 'Lucky Seven'. Well, I've been tagged twice by my writing friends Imogene Nix and Annie Seaton. The challenge is that you go to your current 'Work In Progress' (mine is the sequel to 'What Happens In Ireland...', 'Deceive me in Ireland') and you have to post seven lines/sentences of your work as it is.
These are my seven lines:

His green eyes lit up. Cara burned beneath them.

‘I donna think I’ve introduced myself,’ he said, offering her his hand.  ‘I’m Patrick. Patrick O’Leary.’

Accepting it, Cara hoped her cheeks didn’t look as red as they felt.

Unfortunately, her reaction to his touch was far more than she’d predicted. When she’d seized his hand, pleasure swamped her. His palm was rough. Calloused. But she wasn’t repulsed by it. She was tantalized. The slight friction it created against her skin was electrifying.

Well, I hope that was a little entertaining for you all. Now to nominate my new lucky seven:


- Rachael Johns
- Pat McDermont
- Fiona Palmer
- Coleen Kwan
- Nessa Mills
- Cathryn Hein
-Lucinda Brant


Now girls, here's what you have to do:


§Go to page 7 or 77 in your current manuscript (fiction or non-fiction)

§Go to line 7

§Post on your blog the next 7 lines, or sentences, as they are – no cheating

§ Tag 7 other authors to do the same

Have fun everyone, don't forget to post a link in a comment here.

A Month Of Rural Romance Writers: Fiona Palmer

Well, here it is everyone, my interview with Fiona Palmer. Fiona is published by Penguin and currently has three fabulous novels out (one of them in german :) ). Please welcome her. It's been a pleasure to have her on this blog and I hope you all enjoy the interview as much as I did organising it.

So firstly, Fiona, tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a mother of two, live in the tiny rural town of Pingaring 350km south east of Perth . I work one day a week at the local shop, just to get out of the house and I try to concentrate on writing when I’m not busy chasing my kids around, doing housework or community jobs.

I think it's great that you work at the local shop and can understand your need to get out of the house. :) I think any job dealing with the general community is great. You get so many interesting character and terrified some may be, some end up in novels.

So who are you biggest writer influences? I think ever author has writer influences even the best of the best must. :)

I was never a big reader, but one of the first big books I read in primary school was Danielle Steel’s Summers End. I think this is where my love of romance really grew. Since then I’ve become a big YA fan also and have written my own YA book, which I hope to find a publisher for.

When did you start did you start writing Rural Romance? And was there a reason why?

I started writing at the worst time of my life, when my kids were just babies and I was working full time running the local shop. But I started to write mainly because I had this story in my head about a girl on a farm. I love the country and my lifestyle, so this is what made me write in the first place. I don’t write because I love words, I write because I love the story. After 2.5years of sitting on my book a friend gave me Rachael Treasure’s book, Jillaroo and I knew then that there was a market/genre for this type of book and it kicked me into gear. It just took off after that.

That's excellent. Funny enough, Rachael Treasure is a favourite if mine and one of the first romances I ever read.

Does your life in a small town influence what you write?

Yes, I’m living in the rural community so I am writing it as truthfully as I can. Our area went through a drought a few years back and it guttered the community, it also influenced my fourth book, which is set around a town in a drought.

I think it's great that you can bring such devasting issue to light. Personal, I don't think city people truly understand drought. But through fiction, I think perhaps we might be able to get something across to them. Fiction writing is great for portraying emotions and I couldn't think of a better way to humanize such a need for help.

Anyway, would you mind telling us in ten words or less what your current release is about?

The Road Home is about a country girl who ends up being citified, but finds out the country is where she really belongs.

That sounds great, Fiona. I wish you all the best with it. :)

Now I had a earlier post a month or so back, where I spoke about where writers write. Do you have any special conditions a writing space that you write most comfortably in? Do you have a picture to share.

I write in our office. Its not fancy and is crammed full of stuff but it does the trick.

I think that just it. It just seems to work for you. And Fiona has been nice enough to provide us with a picture of her study :)

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

Once again, thank you for joining me today, Fiona. It was a pleasure meeting you. Best of luck with your career and I hope to see you at the conference in August. :) Perhaps get you to sign a copy of THE ROAD HOME haha.

For my readers, you can find Fiona one facebook at this link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/fiona.palmer.37

And on her website where you can find out more about her releases here: http://www.fionapalmer.com/

A Month Of Rural Romance Writers: Rachael Johns

Hi everyone,

Thanks for joining me here today for my first interview with Rachael Johns.

Rachael is a rural writer who writes for Harlequin Australia and she'll be sharing some information about her inspirations, writing career and her current release 'JILTED'.
So please, give her a warm welcome and feel free to find out more about her in the following places:

Website - www.rachaeljohns.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachael-Johns/260103224001776

Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/RachaelJohns

 

 

So Rachael, did you grow-up in the country, or like myself, did you live in the city and gain an interest?

I lived the first eight years of my life in Sydney and the next fifteen in Perth - so I definitely grew up in the city, however I've always loved the country. In 2005 when my first son was only three months old and my hubby was unhappy in his job, we jumped when the opportunity came to go rural. We've lived in a small country town ever since (two all up) and I think the benefits FAR outweigh the negatives. I miss my friends from Perth (although I've made good ones in the country) and the shopping (although with recent advance in online shopping, this isn't so bad)!

 

Haha, I don't think you'd be the only girl who is thankful for online shopping.

So tell us, has your own life have a great impact on what you write? Most of my inspiration comes for those around me and I was wondering if the same goes for yourself.

 

Hmm.. tough question. I'd say yes, to the extent of the inspiring country people I interact with every day. The people I've met and the massive community spirit I've experienced in country towns, inspired me to start writing rural-set novels.

 

I don't think you could have put it any better.

Which  of your novels would you say is closest to your heart?

 

I'd have to say JILTED. It's my first print novel, but also my first longer novel where I got to focus on more than just the hero and heroine. I've always been a bit of a sucker for secondary characters (It was one of the reasons M&B kept rejecting me), so I love that in Jilted, I got to play with a wider cast and explore the stories of more than simply the hero and the heroine.

 

I'm a sucker for secondary characters too. I think it comes down to those rural influences. I always warn my friends that they might end up in one of my novels. :)

 

Now, I believe that with every story I write, a part of myself, whether it be a philosophy or a personal trait, is embedded within the main characters. Is this the same for you? And if so, which of your heroines do you think is most like yourself?

 

I think it's definitely true. My first published heroine Peppa was a voice talent (a career I'd love) and had a car I've always wanted. Ellie from Jilted is an actress and I did a minor in drama at uni. Are you seeing a theme here? LOL. In the book I've just subbed, Imogen has the name I would have used had I ever had a daughter. After three boys I've given up that dream, so decided to use the name for one of my beloved heroines. All of my heroines are feisty at their core and I'd say I am too.

 

I have to say, I hope you don't become an actress. You're to good an author LOL.

Now for your current release JILTED. Can you tell describe it to us in ten words or less?

 

JILTED - Australia soapie actress returns to town where she jilted farmer.

 

 

 

 

Sounds great. :)

Now Rachael, I know for a fact that you also write urban fiction. Are you a woman who’s divided between country and city life? Or do you just enjoy writing urban romances?

 

I'm well and truly a country girl now. The reason I wrote/write urban romances is that I was once targeting my stories to Mills & Boon and the line I wanted to publish with required urban settings. Personally I prefer the rural ones because stories about small communities are what I like to read best.

 

Small communities really are the best, aren't they.

So, I heard you've got a new story in the works? Would you mind sharing a little about it?

 

I've just subbed MAN DROUGHT (working title) about a widow (city-chick) who moves to a small country town and buys the rundown pub. Of course, she encounters a red-hot country boy who not only doesn't think the pub needs fixing, but he seems to have a vendetta against her as well.

 

Sounds like my kind of read.

Thanks so much Rachael for allowing me to interview, it's been a pleasure and I hope to see 'MAN DROUGHT' soon and 'JILTED' in the bestseller's. Best of luck with your career. It's been an honour to have you. 

 

 

 

 

This writer is getting social.

Hey, everyone.
I've got some exciting interviews coming up.
This month, is my rural writers month.
This Sunday, Rachael Johns will be joining us and is going to share some details about herself and her current release, 'Jilted'!
The Friday after that, I've got Fiona Palmer joining us and she will also be sharing some details about her current release 'The Road Home' and her writing influences.
So don't forget to drop in and welcome my guest Authors.
:)
Happy reading/writing everyone!
Whitney

The Week Just Gone And Those to Come...

Hey Everyone,
Well my 30k challenge is over and guess what? I did it. 'What Happens In Ireland...' is ready for submission.
I learnt a great deal of skills from this challenge. I learnt to refine my work and I also learnt time management. All in all, it was a success.

So now for some good news. I pitched for the first time to Entangled publishing last week. I was expecting to be accepted (as this was just a practice pitch for the conference) but it turns out, my pitching skills worked some magic.

So at present my work is sitting in front of two editors! Fingers crossed we get some good new in the weeks/months to come.

So a little bit of encouragement for all you fantastic writers out there: If an opportunity arises, go for it. You might just get lucky :)

Moving on to the weeks to come, I've got some exciting stuff coming up for you on this blog. I'll be hosting an interview with Rachael John, a wonderful rural romance writer, and have some more interviews lined up with some fellow rural writers.

So keep an eye on this blog and if you have any request, send them in.

Happy writing/reading everyone! Here's me hoping you've had a successful week. :)

Whitney K-E
Aspiring Romance writer playing the waiting game. :)

The Hard Yards... Day 22 of my 30 day challenge

Hey everyone!
Now you may have noticed my 30 day challenge has led me to blogging neglect. But not to worry, I'll be back soon and I've got some great things including some interviews with some lovely authors coming up.

Well, I've just hit the hard yards of my 30 day challenge. Yesterday, I hit the 20k mark. So I have 10k to go. And what a hard 10k it is.
I am now refining the refined. And honestly, it's killing me. But as an aspiring author, I know that this is a sacrafice I have to make. And hopefully, I'll be rewarded for it!
I'm trying not to doubt myself at the moment, but I'm telling you, its not easy.

But, I am determined and I'm a trooper.

I wish anyone else who is currently doing a challenge of their own, good luck or as the Irish would say: 'Ádh mór ort!'. Oh and if your anything like me, you've already collected a box of lucky charms, a shamrock pendant necklace included. :)

Will be back soon. Can't wait to share with you what I have planned for the future.

Whitney K-E :)

My 30 Day Challenge

I've always wondered which publisher I should approach. Wondered which one would be looking for my novel. And it looks like I may have found them.
Just recently, I was informed that Lyrical Press was calling for Irish-themed novels to release next year for March (around Saint Patrick's Day). But, submitting isn't as easy as attaching my novel to an email and sending it away, as much as I would like it to be.
My novel is currently, 130 000 words. And Lyrical Press doesn't accept anything over 100 000.
So, I have a challenge. 30k in 30 days.
And that 30 days started yesterday...
May the 31st is the deadline. So far, so good. I'm managed to improve my work and I'm not feeling the loss. But I'm fearing that last 10k.
As you may know, my first draft for my novel was 170k. I cut it down to 130k for the Emerald award and now, I find myself needing to cull another 30. *bites lip*
I've heard of writers writing 50k in 30 days. Lets hope I can do 30k in 30 days.
I'll be sure to keep you all informed (you can find me on facebook at this link to see how I'm going: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Whitney-K-E-Aspiring-Romance-Writer/311522372250495 ) and I just want to wish any writer out there, who's currently battling a word count, good luck.

Wish me luck!

Whitney