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Tuesday, 28 May 2013

A Love of Ballet

Ballet and its accompanying music, is the absolute essence of femininity.  I have huge regrets giving up my ballet classes as a young girl.

I chose my protagonist in my #amwriting next book, to be at Ballet School, with every sign of a bright and successful future in that field.

However will a chance meeting of necessity, thwart her plans for ever?


(Photo www.123rf.com/photo_10925499 The Prague State Opera Ballet. Giselle April 6, 2011) 

Thursday, 16 May 2013

What Ingredients Can An Author Learn from MasterChef Australia

I am incredibly crazy about the latest South African viewing of MasterChef Australia!  I actually
think we, in South Africa, are a tad behind the Australian viewing.  Yay, more to see!

I work our evening meal around it, and we enjoy four nights a week of this amazing show!

The Emotion

One becomes so involved with the participants, viewed in one's living room and gasp at the trials and tribulations! Those participants have been in one's living room (one's private space) each night, and almost feel like family.

Learning Curve

On my part I love to learn something new all the time - that is why I follow so many hugely interesting people, from all walks of life, on Twitter.  Similarly when one reads a book, it is awesome to learn something new - if not every moment, then certainly, every hour!

The Experts

On MasterChef Australia, experts from around the world, share their prowess and expertise.  The participants are constantly "stretched" and learning from the Maestros.  We, too, as viewers, have such privilege!  How awesome!

Conflict, stress and tension

This is aplenty in the programme!  The time deadlines more than anything can undermine skill!  There is indeed gazillions of stress!   This can result in a "Favourite" undergoing a pressure test - oops more tension!

The Immunity Pin

When the participants have an opportunity to compete with a "maestro chef" it really takes them to the next level!  As authors we are competing with maestros in the writing world!  We are lucky in that there are so many of such writers who are only too happy to share with less experienced writers, their vast experience.  What a privilege!

Scenery and Travel

In the episodes I have particularly enjoyed the travel journeys undertaken by the participants.  As a "sometimes" travel blogger, and a former air stewardess who travelled the world, I cannot experience enough photographs and blogs on travel!  This surely added another dimension to the programme.  In the stories we authors create, we can also travel to any destination we wish - even create a brand new world if desired!  How awesome is that, and how amazing for our readers!

Those Who Enjoy

As a viewer of MasterChef Australia, I confess I have left a part of my heart with the participants.  Likewise our readers have invested their money and time into what we create!  I've still to "get there".  I'm still very much a "newbie" in the Writing Sphere, having only published one book, but what a journey of privilege!



( Image Credit http//www.123rf.com/photo 13994751 ) 


The Inclusion of Mystery with my Am Writing New Novel

I have added a whole new dimension to the Outline I am preparing for my "in progress" new novel writing.

I have always been a fan of a good mystery, even as a child before the world of romance became my reading interest.  I have a very good idea of how my romantic story is going to evolve, but the mystery aspect has now created many new paths and outcomes together with lots of challenges.  In fact this could change everything for my characters!

However, to me, the journey is what I love most about writing, so I have a new "spring to my step"!


( Image credit: http://www.123rf.com/photo #19019740 )

Friday, 10 May 2013

Social Media - Important to Create a Balance

I was already involved with Twitter before I decided to start writing 


( Image credit: www.123rf.com/photo-9639250 )

and I therefore follow, and am followed, by a wonderful array of totally contrasting and interesting people.  In my Bio I show my interests as writing, reading, travel, news, media, photography, law and science.  It really makes for wonderfully interesting interaction.  Such that I started my Flipboard magazine a few weeks ago "Janet's Daily Flipbooks" which in the few weeks of existence has already had over 3,000 readers.

However, social media has to have a balance and I think one could easily become overwhelmed or intimidated by the different options available.  If you are true to yourself and enjoy sharing and learning what can be invaluable advice, it really is an amazing experience.