Chilly nights, reading snuggled under warm blankets, or sitting fireside with a hot cup of tea. These are all signs Winter is in the air for me! Meanwhile on the other side of the world my fellow bloggers are enjoying the delightful signs of the beginning of Summer. Come along on our CURRENTLY Winter/Summer blog hop for a bit of fun, meet fellow authors and discover what they are currently up to in their part of the world. Once you have read about my current Winter plans you are welcome to click on the other awesome #Gr8Blogs listed below to read what they are currently doing this Summer.
Currently Loving
One of the best things about living in Canberra this time of year, I love walking among the colourful falling Autumn leaves. Our property is covered in evergreen Eucalypts, but on Wednesdays, I head into the heart of the city among the deciduous trees and walk the 5.5 Km along the foreshore to our National Library. Most days now I am rugged up with scarf, gloves, coat and boots ready to battle the wind, but when the sun shines it is heartwarming. Lake Burley-Griffin sparkles as dragon boats practice, the Carillon chimes and the path is a steady flow of bike riders, joggers and dog walkers.
Changing colours of the leaves as I walk around Lake Burley-Griffin
Currently Reading
An author friend of mine recently lent me two middle grade novels by Jack Heath, who happens to be another fellow Canberra author. These two books are ‘300 Minutes of Danger’ and ‘400 Minutes of Danger.’ I have already finished devouring the first, and am halfway through the second. I love the premise of these books. Each book contains ten short stories, 30 or 40 minutes long each depending which book they are in. That’s 30 or 40 minutes of suspense, thrills and spills to stop even the most reluctant reader from putting the books down. Ten protagonists in each book, equally shared between boys and girls so that the books appeal to everyone.Intriguingly Jack has managed to link the danger in the stories, but I don’t want to give away any spoilers. Since starting to write this blog I have finished 400 Minutes of Danger and now read ‘The Shop at Hoopers Bend’ the latest MG novel by Emily Rodda. My second son loved reading her enthralling series Deltora Quest when he was young, so it was such an honour to meet her in person at the recent CBCA National conference. I only wish I had thought to take a selfie with her. I was so busy talking to her and getting my book signed I didn’t think about a photo.
Currently Watching
I have just finished watching a wonderful Australian series. ‘A Place to Call Home,’ ran for six seasons in total. I hadn’t watched any until now. It was fabulous. Set in a fictional country town within a few hours drive of Sydney in the 1950’s, it follows the story of a wealthy farming family and the community they belong to. Complex issues arise as a result of surviving the horrors of World War 2 and trying to settle back into naive country life along with the social status that being the wealthy family in the community entails. If you have an opportunity to watch it, and enjoy historical drama, I recommend it.
And now for something completely different I’ve now just watched the first season of ‘Chambers’ on Netflix. Gripping, intense and nail biting suspense.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Place_to_Call_Home_(TV_series)
Currently Listening To
Podcasts. I am currently trying to catch up on a whole lot of writerly/informative podcasts. ‘The Happy Book’ by Tania McCartney is packed full of tremendously helpful information. ‘Middle Grade Mavens ,’ by Julie Anne Grasso and Pamela Ueckerman keeps me up to date with great new releases and ‘Q&Q’ Friday by Jen Storer which is part of her ‘Duck Pond’ is an absolute gem of information. It is packed with insightful information every author and illustrator needs to help them on their writerly journey.
https://player.whooshkaa.com/shows/the-happy-book
https://www.middlegradepodcast.com/
Currently Thinking About
Book Week in August will be on us again soon. It is the busiest time of year for authors. So many wonderful schools to visit. My second book in my Adamson Adventures. A Lighthouse in Time will be released and I already have schools booking me for visits. It’s time to start thinking about and planning those author talks.I also have two presentations coming up that have me pondering. The first is a talk at the CBCA (ACT), (Children’s Book Council of Australia) Romancing the Stars evening at the end of this month. The second is a presentation at the NLA (National Library of Australia) for the Canberra Writers Festival.
Currently Anticipating
It’s been a busy year writing already and we are only half way through the year. I am now anticipating the book launch of several books.
‘A Lighthouse in Time” The Adamson Adventures Book 2. Launch date 17th August.
The Share Your Story Spooktacular Stories: Thrilling Tales for Brave Kids. My story ‘The Dead Centre of Town’ won a place to be included in this wonderful anthology written for brave sick kids in hospitals around Australia. To be launched 12th October.
The Creative Kids Tales Story Collection, volume 2. I have two stories included in this one, ‘The Thumping,’ as a response to the theme ‘Things that go bump in the night,’ and ‘Save it for a Rainy Day,’ included in the theme of Enchantment. Due for release before Christmas.
‘Cyclone Kayla’ my story for Library For All will be turned into a graphic novel to be released in both ebook and print and shared to kids in remote areas of Papua New Guinea. I don’t know when this will be ready, but I am eagerly anticipating seeing the beautiful illustrations that will go alongside my story.
The Share Your Story Spooktacular anthology is coming.
Currently Wishing
Wish I new the secret to hiding my nerves when speaking to a group of adults, especially my peers. I tend to give in a little to the impostor syndrome and wonder why anyone would want to listen to what I have to say. I know all our journeys are different as we travel this writer’s life and many people are interested to hear about and learn from my experiences. If I can speak well at the CBCA meeting at the end of this month without embarrassing myself, it will go a long way to improving my confidence.
Currently Making Me Happy
Life is pretty good at the moment. I can afford to put food on the table and keep a roof over my family’s head. We have installed a reverse cycle ducted air conditioning system just last week. The wood fire only warmed the one room in the house, I couldn’t cope with another freezing winter. Now we are all snug and warm. I am so happy to be able to type away at my computer without freezing fingers that refuse to work. I feel blessed to have an amazing and supportive family that I love very much and who support me in all my writing endeavours. What makes me happiest most of all? Spending time with my gorgeous grandson, he is so precious, love him.
Currently Seen in my Camera Lens
The past couple of months have been extremely busy with plenty of networking. Catching up with amazing authors, and generally having a lot of bookish fun.
Creative Kids Tales Festival
Clunes Booktown Book Fair.
Children’s Book Council of Australia National Conference
SCBWI ACT members at the CKT Festival.
Meeting the Mad Hatter at Clunes Booktown festival.
Me with Grug, Happy 40th birthday to an iconic children’s book character at the CBCA conference.
Me with Dr Lara Cain Gray from Library For All at the CBCA Conference
A fabulous flock of ‘Ducks’ quacking madly at the CBCA conference.
Thanks for stopping by! How are you CURRENTLY jumping into this winter/summer? Making big plans? Many Canberrans try to head north to warmer climates sometime during the winter, are you? Keeping it low with stay-cations? Ticking off books on your to-read list? Please share in the comment section.
Hey, Bloggers! Join us on our C*U*R*R*E*N*T*L*Y Jumping into Summer /Winter Blog Hop. Just add your PG-13 post link below in the comment section. We’ll visit your blog and give you some blog love. And if you use #Gr8Blogs, we'll support your family-friendly summer-themed post.
Jump into Summer (WINTER FOR SANDRA!) with more #Gr8Blogs
Cat Michaels on Cat’s Corner
https://www.catmichaelswriter.com/cats-corner-blogging-about-books-writing-and-more
KidLit Blog by Rosie
Rebecca Lyndsey
https://rebeccalyndsey.blogspot.com/2019/06/ready-setjump-into-summer-blog-hop.htmla
Julie Gorges on Baby Boomer Bliss
James Milson “Writing & Things” → https://wp.me/p3RsfU-2xU
Carmela Dutra http://carmeladutra.com/blog-post/ready-set-jump-into-summer-currently-blog-hop/
Auden Johnson https://www.audenjohnson.com/2019/06/ready-set-jump-into-summer-currently.html
Mackenzie Flohr:
https://mackenzieflohrblog.wordpress.com/2019/06/16/preparing-for-summer/