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The last time I posted here it was May. It is now Friday the 13th June. Where has that month gone? Half the year has gone and I still haven't put into practice any of my New Year's Eve resolutions to be more professional about my writing. I distinctly remember vowing to write every morning from 9am to 12 seven days a week.  I am going to do it. Soon. And post here more often. And...

My (genuine) excuse is that I have been busy. David Ryding and myself were on ABC Radio Drive with Lynda Burns promoting the Emerging Writers' Festival followed by my session 'From Here to There' at the festival with Bethany Jones (Mother's Day 11th May). 'Pageturners' at the Highett and Chelsea libraries and an author talk about the writing journey, plus a workshop 'Memories to Manuscript' (with the marvelous Mairi Neil) during the Bayside Literary Festival. Oh, and I musn't forget the launch of our Mordialloc Writing Group's anthology titled 'Scandalous Bayside'. Plus launching Eltham North Primary School's student magazine 'The Bell' produced by the student, for the students who were coached by my wonderful writing buddy Wendy Dunn. Ahh...so that's where the time has gone? Aren't lists wonderful.

Writing and producing 'Pickle to Pie' was like giving birth. In the beginning all I could think about was getting through the excitement, the hassles, and survivng the drama of those all important nine months it took from winning the Ilura Press Fiction Quest in November to the official launch the following August. You dream of holding your perfect creation in your hands and showing it to the world. Like many new parents, I did not think much about what happens after the launch. I'm now learning that it takes new skills and an amazing input of time and energy.

The new skills needed can be all lumped together under the banner, 'Promotion'. To get the story 'out there' I've had to learn to stand up in front of an audience and tell them about the writing process, why I wrote this particular story, what inspired me in the first place and how I managed to get through the four P's, Procrastination, Perserverence, Publication and Promotion. It has made me dig deep into myself and work out the answers when most of the time it has been instinctive.

Over the ten years it took from short story to published novel, I never had time to sit down and work out why I had to keep writing, why I would get up at 3 am to steal a couple of hours to spend with my characters. Now I am going through that process and it is turning out to be another personal journey of self enlightenment and a wonderful opportunity to learn new skills, panel discussions, author talks and writing workshops titled Memories to Manuscript. After forty years, I've finally given my financial and emotional crutch, hairdressing, away and concentrating on my writing. Last year I graduated with a Masters of Creative Writing from Melbourne University and a PhD at Swinburne University is beckoning.  What a wonderful stage of life this is turning out to be.

Next Sunday, 11th May, I'll be joining and mixing with the most amazing people, mostly in their twenties and thirties, who are taking part in the Emerging Writers Festival at the Melbourne Town Hall. Beat poetry, playwriting, screen scripts, music, comedy will make that old building come to life. I'm amazed at the talent and creative energy that is everywhere around us if we just take the time to stop, look and listen.

May is going to be a busy month.

The Emerging Writers’ Festival (EWF) is a national annual event which is fast becoming an essential part of Australia’s literary calendar. Over its five year history it has grown from a small event at the Victoria Hotel to an event which makes use of Melbourne’s major cultural institutions such as the Melbourne Town Hall, Federation Square and State Library Victoria.

HISTORICAL BOYS

Christopher Gortner’s website for men and women

I am always amazed at the way writers support and help each other. Writing seems to be a common bond that binds us together and brings out the best in people. Two weeks ago, my writing friend Wendy Dunn, author of Dear Heart How Like You This, approached Christopher Gortner asking if he would like to post an interview about Pickle to Pie. The result is now up and running at his website http://historicalboys.blogspot.com

Christopher is the author of the highly successful THE SECRET LION reissued in 2006 by Two Bridges Press. His latest book, THE LAST QUEEN will be published on July 29, 2008 from Ballantine Books (Random House)

Like so many historical fiction writers, Christopher is dedicated and passionate about his craft. He is constantly researching everything from 16^th century fashion accessories to buildings to family dynasties and politics, sometimes all within the same day. He is also an avid reader and I am amazed that, as well as all his research books, last year he also managed to devour 34 books and vows to read even more in 2008.

It makes me want to run downstairs, grab that book gathering dust on the coffee table and sit in the sun for an hour. I’ve been promising myself that as soon as I catch up with my list of Things to Do that I will relax and read just for pleasure. Here it is the end of January and so far the list seems to just get longer and longer. So…I’m off to grab a coffee and disappear for the next hour.

You can visit Christopher at: http://www.cwgortner.com

INTERVIEW ON 3RPP RADIO PORT PHILLIP-98.7 FM & 98.3 FM

So much of my writing life is like throwing a pebble into a pond: you never know where the ripples will spread, and what will come flowing back to you. This is the fun side of writing, the anticipation that amongst the rejections that all writers have to live with, can come an unexpected gem that will lead you into something new: new people, new places and with that comes the joy of discovery. .

One of my short stories was, along with nine other writers, winner of the Fifty-plus News Short Story Competition. Margaret Riddel contacted me and was interested to hear that my novel Pickle to Pie had been published. She read the book and when my short story was published in her magazine, gave Pickle to Pie a wonderful review. The last paragraph reads

Del Nightingale (what a wonderful name) from Radio Port Phillip contacted Margaret about interviewing some of the Fifty-plus winners on her radio program ‘Writers at Work’. Margaret in turn contacted me. How those ripples spread in ever widening circles.

3RPP – 98.7 FM & 98.3 FM

PORT PHILLIP COMMUNITY RADIO

On 14^th January 2008 I drove to the home of 3RPP at Moorooduc Coolstores, Moorooduc is at the furthermost extremity of Victoria, right down at the base of Australia. Across Bass Strait is Tasmania and then Antarctica. Moorooduc is on the Mornington Peninsula, a large fruit growing area renowned for its apples. These days it is known more for the many wineries that now cover old orchards and gentle hills.

Del is delightful. A small, dynamic and inspirational woman she immediately put me at ease. I’d worked all weekend on timed readings from Pickle to Pie; one humorous section about Christmas in Australia, a serious extract about the conflict between a headstrong teenager and his Grossmutter and I wanted to finish with a comic piece about the backyard dunny. To make sure that I wouldn’t forget, I’d typed out a page of headings about what I wanted to cover, and then promptly left it on the kitchen table. I just prayed that when I put on the headphones that my mind would not go blank.

UP WITH THE PLOVERS

The first thing I hear in the morning is the welcome call of plovers. These birds always remind me of holidays by the sea. It’s a great way to start a day. I met Del at Moorooduc and 7 AM to the carolling of magpies. We grabbed a cup of coffee and chatted about the coming 8AM program. Headphone on, the microphone just one hand span from my mouth, I take my cue from Dell as we talk about the research needed and the time it takes to write a novel, interspersed between commercials and readings. I’m amazed how easily it all flows and how much we managed to cover in the hour.

Afterwards we sat under some trees, talking about all aspects of writing life. Del is a poet and belongs to the Australian Society of Women Writers. We covered procrastination, perseverance, publication and promotion of our work. Now there’s a good title for a workshop.

Del gave great feedback on the book and will spreading the word amongst her colleagues. I feel as if I’ve thrown a handful of pebbles into the pond. I wonder where they will spread and whether any more gems will come back to this shore.