Isn’t Sheba a gorgeous horse? (She’s the one on the left!) Jennifer Scoullar, on the right, is not bad for an author either!!! Okay, I’ll stop horsing around now. Jen is damn good, actually. I fell in love with her first novel – Brumby’s Run. (Check my review on Goodreads)
The good news today is Jen is celebrating her second release by giving away a copy of Currawong Creek to one lucky reader. (You have a week from today to leave a comment below.)
Okay, Jen, start by telling me … Is it scones and tea or some other homemade delight you have whipped up for me today?
Mum’s butter-milk scone recipe with quandong jam. Only the best aussie tucker for you Jenn!
(Appreciate that great aussie tucker, Jen! NB readers: We will try to not make this a “Jen mutual admiration society” blog post, okay?!)
At home…
My mum says garden gnomes make a house a home! Are you loud and proud in your love of garden gnomes at home, a closet gnomer or with a strict ‘no gnomes’ policy at your place?
I’m a closet gnomer. Don’t actually have any gnomes at home, but they were a popular feature of gardens when I was a child. The sight of them always brings on a sweet feeling of 
nostalgia.
(Love a closet gnomer, although I guess you are now outted!)
What vegetable (or fruit) have you always wanted to grow at home?
Tomatoes, and I do!
If I came to your home and looked in the refrigerator, what would I find?
Not much at the moment. I’m working to meet a deadline and have forgotten to go shopping.
(I know that feeling!)
If you sorted your wardrobe by colour, what colour would stand out? (Ahh, do you sort your wardrobe by colour?!)
Black and purple. Now that’s a good procrastinating suggestion! I’m off to sort my wardrobe by colour …
(Get back here, Jen.)
What are you wearing now? (Be honest!)
Shoes and socks, blue jeans, a purple skivvy and a blue canvas vest.
Whose home would you like to housesit and why?
Varuna, the magnificent Writer’s House in the Blue Mountains. It just oozes literary inspiration!
(Oh, yeah! We could do a Jennifer invasion!)
Country curiosities…
We love a sunburnt country (slip, slop, slap and all that). What’s your ideal hat? Or are you a boots person?
Both – favourite hat and boots: Akubra and RM Williams, of course!
(I’m sure Sheba enjoys the RM Williams quality too!)
If you were a tree (or animal) what kind of tree (animal) would you be?
I’d be a Bunya pine tree.
Now for the big question… Why did the chicken cross the road?
To get away from the battery cage and join its free range friends.
(Yaaaaaaaaay! May there be many more.)
About you…
Your turning point: when was that point in your life that you realized that being an author was no longer going to be just a dream but a reality and a career?
When I scored my first contract.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Finding time, to start with. And then perhaps balancing the competing interests of my characters. I need to present different points of view credibly and sympathetically, even if I disagree with them.
If someone was to write your biography, what do you think the title should be?
Giving It A Shot
What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
I’ve always wanted to be asked if I’m as good a rider as my main characters. Then I’d lie and say yes!
(Would Sheba agree though?)
Fun stuff …
What does your protagonist think about you? Would he or she want to hang out with you, the author, his/her creator.
Clare from Currawong Creek would approve of the fact that I’m a lapsed lawyer. She wouldn’t want to hang out with me because I’d try to steal her boyfriend. (Always wanted to go out with a vet!)
(I love that you’ve named your character ‘Clare’!!!!! 😉 )
If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
Philadelphia Gordon from Nancy Cato’s All The River’s Run.
(Wow! That’s a blast from the past. So wish a good Aussie mini series like that!)
If I said to you, “Just entertain me for five minutes, I’m not going to talk,” what would you do?
Mime Hamlet
(Curious!)
What food would you be?
Chocolate
What was the best thing before sliced bread?
Butter
Name 5 uses for a stapler that has not staple pins.
- Weapon
- Paper weight
- Door stop
- Hammer
- Objet d’art.
(It scares me how many authors have said ‘weapon’ as their first choice!!!!! Should we be afraid?)
How weird are you? Rate yourself on a scale of 1 (not) to 10 (very).
9
(Not so weird, Jen.)
How about you tell us about Currawong Creek.
‘When Brisbane lawyer Clare Mitchell finds herself the unlikely guardian of a small troubled boy, her ordered life is turned upside down. In desperation, she takes Jack to stay at Currawong Creek, her grandfather’s horse stud in the foothills of the beautiful Bunya Mountains.
Being at Currawong takes some getting used to, but it also feels like coming home. Her grandad adores having them there. Jack falls in love with the animals, his misery banished and Clare finds herself falling hard for the kind, handsome local vet.
But trouble is coming, in the form of the Pyramid Mining Company. Trouble that threatens to destroy not only Clare’s newfound happiness, but also the livelihoods of her new neighbours, and the peace and beauty of the land she loves.’
Thank you for joining me at the busiest time of the year for you, Jen. I know Currawong Creek is going to gangbusters.
Readers: Leave a comment below for your chance win a signed copy of this heartfelt and passionate rural romance from the bestselling author of Brumby’s Run. Winner announced here is a week from now. NOW CLOSED. Thx everyone.
Connect with Jennifer Scoullar. By the way, Jen’s website is a treasure trove of information. She loves people to pop into Pilyara.
Website: http://jenniferscoullar.com/
Twitter @pilyara
Facebook Jennifer Scoullar – Author
If you turn into chocolate, can I eat you? Your book sounds awesome Jenny – can’t wait to read it. You are so much more creative than me. I think I only came up with two uses for a Stapler and no, neither was weapon!
Thanks Rach … what is it with Jenn and staplers?
I laughed at you wanting to eat Jen
I’m reading Currawong Creek right now… I just got to the scene with the clown and the cake (still laughing).
Congratulations on the new release Jennifer. Thanks Jenn J for the post.
Lily M
Music to my ears Lilly! Thank you.
Would enjoy the read. Look forward to meeting the vet!
Love a country vet!
I really want to read this book. I’ve fallen in love with the Aussie outback and the strong men and women who live there…. everyone seems to love Texan cowboys but give me an Australasian any day….and that includes New Zealand. A great post and I love the glimpse into your life. As for the stapler, how often I’ve wanted to do bodily harm TO a stapler…not necessarily with it!
Thanks Shirley, for your vote of confidence in Aussie (and NZ) men!
Jen (and Jenn) – that’s the best Chicken & Road answer so far because it’s absolutely right! Why else would a chicken want to cross a road? I’m looking forward to starting Currawong Creek – very best of luck with it Jen (as if you need it!).
Thanks Jennie … and congratulations on your success with Burra Burra Lane! Seems like I need a ‘House’ title next time. 🙂
See Jenn J McLeod – you really need a ‘chicken answer’ vote!
😉
Remind me in August. Post edits!!!!!!
Great post Jenn and Jen! Can’t wait to start reading Currawong Creek, especially if it’s as good as Brumby’s Run!!!
Thank you Kristy!
Firstly ,let me say how much I enjoyed Brumby’s Run.
Akin to watching All The Rivers Run TV series……..I want more! (although a half dressed young John Waters probably had something to do with it)
The mining companies have been threatening to destroy our beautiful valley,and I would like to read what Clairs thoughts are on this issue.
Sounds like you’ll enjoy Currawong Creek then Gloria!
mmmmmm Chocolate I love chocolate!!!! I also love reading book while eating Chocolate – YEAH ok I haven’t been shopping either and now have none in the house so have resorted to eating nestle` choc bits (yes the ones you cook with), I can’t wait to read your new book!
Oh and if you ever mime hamlet please post a link to the video also curious
Ange
Thanks Angela! And I love choc bits too …
Your book does sound great, Jennifer. Congratulations… yes, vets – I have that thing going as well.
Thanks very much Rae!
Hi, Jenn and Jen! Congratulations again on the release of Currawong Creek, Jen, can’t wait to read Clare’s story. Buttermilk scones – yum. I”m intrigued by quandong Jam, never having tasted it. So glad you’re out of the closet now about gnomes! Thanks for the post, ladies, great fun.
Thanks Christine. Jenn’s questions are well … they’re different, aren’t they?
Hi Jen and Jenn,
Another great harvest. It’s so interesting finding out all these things about people! (Including the commenters 🙂 )
I have a friend who is Clare Mitchell…but she’s a physio not a lawyer. I must wave this book under her nose 🙂 it’s downloaded onto my iPad already. I’m looking forward to losing myself at Currawong Creek.
Good luck with your release, Jen.
Cath xo
Thank you Cath!
Hi Jennifer and Jenn,
Fun post as always. I’d love to read Currawong Creek as I thoroughly enjoyed Brumby’s Run.
Thanks so much Heather!
I just started reading some of the Australian rural romance book, a friend from Australia recommended the books to me and so far I loved all books I read. 🙂
Thanks for doing the interview and the “being a chocolate” part. Thank God I am not the only person who thinks about that. 🙂
Lovely to hear that you are enjoying the genre Eva! (and enjoying your chocolate)
I read and enjoyed Brumby’s Run and am really excited about Currawog Creek. I love book and stories set in the bush and wilderness!
Thanks Chanpreet. Good luck with the giveaway!