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Who am I?


The Author bio – it’s been harder to compose than the 90k manuscript I just finished.

The submission process demands a biography. Information such as: Who am I? What have I done? What am I doing now? What have I published? What have I won? etc, etc, etc.
The problem is…well…what if I’m not published yet? What if I’ve come really close to finalling in a competition, but not close enough to count? What if my career has not allowed me to express myself creatively (unless you call political speeches and press releases creative writing LOL)
So, who does that make me? Who am I?

I mulled and stressed and in the end decided to write what I’d like to see on the inside back cover of my first published novel.
Here we go:

About me
If we’re lucky, life will sometimes throw a second chance our way.
Some of us see it.
Some of us don’t.
Some shy away from it.
I like to think I grab hold and make it count.

My life has been filled with second chances – opportunities to start again, try something different, take a new and exciting path. After school I climbed the corporate ladder and studied part-time. Towards the end of an exhausting range of work experiences I decided it was time for a change – a sea change. I now write full time and run a dog-friendly bed and breakfast on the mid north coast of NSW (Australia) where my mutts – Strawberry and Daiquiri – are my muse.
I write stories about life, love and second chances, blending elements of traditional romance with fresh ideas and compelling twists. They are contemporary stories spiced with humour and intrigue and all the heart-warming highs and labyrinthine lows to make you want to laugh, cry and embrace a second chance.

That’s me – author in waiting.
I am jennjmcleod
Romancing the possibilities … in life, love and second chances

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How about you and Hugh?


Now here’s an interesting concept – custom made romance novels.
This online business allows the average Joe (or Jenn) to be the hero/heroine in a novel. Sure it can be you and hubby (booooorrrrrring!!!) but it can also be you and Hugh (or anyone else you fancy).

www.ustarnovels.com offers people this opportunity just be sending the names of yourself and your ‘significant’ other, along with a few salient facts, such as nicknames and physical attributes. Then you choose whether you want a subtler romance or something “steamy.” For the low, low price of $39.95, they’ll send you a 160-180 page book with you and your hero in it.

The novels are apparently set in an array of glamorous destinations throughout Europe, and depending upon the story you select, you might find yourself undercover on a secret mission in Barcelona, being chased by diamond smugglers in the exotic French Rivera or discovering a hidden tomb in Naples. (Oh, and if you’ve ever wondered about the ‘other side of the fence’ you can forget Hugh and do Paris (and I’m not referring to the city!) That’s right, same sex novels are available.
So if it wasn’t hugging Hugh in Havana, I guess I’d go for a Rumba in Roma with J Lo – LOL.

Cool idea or what?

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Are we there yet?

Remember those words? We all drove our parents mad with them on those long summer holiday car trips.

Well I’m back there. I’m a kid again and very excited. It’s like the car is loaded and on its way. At least from my backseat booster I can see the road ahead. I know that my final destination is getting closer. But I have no control over anything from this point on. I just have to wait.

So I ask, “Are we there yet?”
My mother would answer the same way. “We’ll be there, when we get there.” (I always loved that one!)

But she was right.
And her words echo in my mind today as I load my competition entries online so they can start their cyber journey to STALI and Selling Synopsis contest coordinators and judges.

Now comes the big wait for the results. Will I reach that ultimate destination?
I know I’m going to want to ask every day, “Are we there yet?” So pity help my partner at this time in my life.