Blog – Page 34 – Jenn J McLeod – small-town storyteller

Posted on 25/02/201527/10/2018 by Jenn J McLeod — 21 Comments

#WriteRoundOz w/ Meredith Appleyard +giveaway

And I’m thinking Meredith Appleyard, from South Australia’s Clare Valley, is my new best friend.

1. She’s a dog lover

2. She lives in one of the best one regions in the country. (Did someone say wine?)

Hi Meredith,

Thank you for letting my park my rig under your … gum tree. Would that be with lots of plum trees, a sheep or two, and a kangaroo? (Now YOU all have the Don Burke/John Williamson ear worm, too!)

What’s that I see written on your ‘welcome mat, Meredith’?

It’s a favourite quote by Groucho Marx and I’d have it on my welcome mat anytime – ‘Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.’

If I looked in your refrigerator right now, what would I find?

Too many healthy things. Not enough chocolate.

Downsizing my life into a 24 ft caravan meant leaving lots of things behind in boxes. What (or who!!) would you have trouble leaving behind if you took off in a caravan?

The dog.

Whose home would you like to visit in your van and why? (anyone, anywhere)

A friend from the whom I haven’t seen in years.

Do you REALLY have room at your house to park a fifth wheeler caravan and do you mind visitors? Oh, sorry, you don’t have to answer that one!! ☺

We have plenty of room and the dog likes visitors. We don’t mind them either.

Country curiosities…

My latest novel, Season of Shadow and Light, has a strong horse theme. (I love what horses can teach us). If you were an animal what would you be?

A border collie with owners like my border collie.

You’re cooking and your food going up against the best cooks from the CWA (Country Women’s Association). What would be your winning dish?

They’d win hands down.

About you…

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Not quarantining enough time to write. I get distracted easily. Deadlines do make it easier to put writing first. My first advance also helped!

If someone was to write your biography, what do you think the title should be?

She finally got it write.

What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

I have no idea! The hardest question I’ve had to answer so far was for a Penguin Q&A sheet – Describe yourself in three words. I challenge anyone to do that off the cuff. Luckily, I had time to ponder and it took me ages and I had to ask a friend… Well, a few friends actually. It really got everyone thinking.

Favourite Five

Favourite four authors – MM Kay, Peter Temple, Michael Robotham, James A Michener

Favourite place in Australia – the Flinders Ranges

Favourite holiday destination: Somewhere I haven’t been before

Favourite movie – French Kiss

Favourite quote – see above

If I said to you, “Just entertain me for five minutes, I’m not going to talk,” what would you do?

Tell you about my next book – The Country Practice.

After working in a London emergency room, a month as a GP in rural South Australia can’t be that hard – or can it?

Meghan Kimble is taking control of her life. Newly single, she’s returned to Australia to follow her dream of working as a GP. Her first stop is a month-long locum in the colourful community of Magpie Creek.

It’s been ages since the town has had a permanent doctor and Meghan is generating more than her fair share of attention, especially from forthright farmer Sean Ashby. A handsome man with a difficult past, Sean isn’t shy about making his intentions known to the redheaded medico.

Against her better judgement, Meghan finds herself charmed by the enigmatic Sean. But time is against her and when love threatens to derail her career plans, she’s forced to reassess her priorities in ways she never imagined. Is Meghan ready to fall for all that life in Magpie Creek has to offer?

WIN a signed copy of Meredith’s book.

All you have to do is describe yourself in three words*.

Buy link: Penquin Books

(*Aust postal addresses only)

Posted on 09/02/201506/06/2015 by Jenn J McLeod — 6 Comments

Loretta Hill writes me a letter

I love Loretta’s letters. We’ve written a few times now. In fact, I sent her a letter to announce really exciting news a while back. (here’s the link)

Speaking of exciting… Here is the latest letter from Loretta, with news about her latest release – The Maxwell Sisters. You can WIN a copy of The Maxwell Sister’s by simply leaving a comment below.

I loved so many things about The Maxwell Sisters. Let’s face it… I love wine and the setting is a winery…with a restaurant!! Woot! I think I’ll crack a bottle of my favourite ‘House Wine’ to read Loretta’s latest letter.

Join me…

Hi Jenn J,

How are you? It’s been a long time since we met briefly at the RWA conference in Sydney. Hope your writing is thriving. Your first two books were wonderful.

So glad you enjoyed my latest novel as much as I have enjoyed your stories.

With this one, I’m actually exploring a similar theme to your first book “House for all Seasons.” – reuniting women with completely different personalities and weaving their lives back together.

My book is called, “The Maxwell Sisters” and as you’ve probably guessed, the three women in the story, Phoebe, Natasha and Eve, are not friends but sisters. They have been living in different Australian cities, estranged from each other due to a fight that occurred in their past.

Now Phoebe Maxwell, the youngest sister has decided to get married at their childhood home in the Margaret River Wine Region – Tawny Brooks Estate. They must put their differences aside and return home to help out with the preparations for the big day.

Firstly, I loved setting this book in this region. My in-laws live in this area and I tend to go on family holidays there myself at least three times a year. Next to writing, food and wine is definitely my second passion. Love it, love it, love it. So to combine all three was such a joy.

I also have three sisters. So I know all about that sibling rivalry dynamic. That, “I love you but I hate you,” kind of relationship that you develop as kids and never quite lose. This book in away is about growing up, not just from child to adult but looking at the way the milestones in your life shape you into the person that you are and how family plays a big role in that.

When Phoebe, Natasha and Eve are drawn back into a small community, into their old roles, to face their family obligations, they are forced to face old demons and also confront new ones. The three sisters are all at different stages in their life. Natasha is about to go through a divorce, Eve is single with a freshly broken heart and Phoebe is about to get married. They all share secrets and wisdom for each other. If only they would communicate. J

I had a lot of fun with these girls, particularly because weddings are such highly charged events and provide lots of opportunity for drama, misunderstandings and mayhem. I’ve actually been on a bit of blog tour this past month sharing insights into my characters with some of my favourite authors. Last week, I spoke about Phoebe with Fiona Palmer and so today I wanted to talk to you about Spider, her fiance. He’s one of the heroes in this novel. (There are three, one for each sister, of course!) Spider was an interesting character to write because he’s not your typical romance hero. At first glance, he seems rather weak. Phoebe definitely seems to wear the pants in the relationship. He’s a “yes” man, who just wants to be liked by her family. His personality is pleasant, easy going, likeable enough but maybe too quiet…even possibly a little shady… John Maxwell, Phoebe’s father, definitely doesn’t like him.

As a writer, I love creating characters that are real, who have flaws and doubts and secrets of their own. I like an opportunity to show real growth and to help these characters really prove themselves to the readers. Spider is one of these characters. He’s got a lot to deal with when he agrees to have his wedding at his bride’s family home. In fact, he has no idea what he’s walking into but he’s willing to make a go of it for Phoebe’s sake. Things start to go pear shaped when he finds out his fiance is keeping a terrible secret from him. Spider really has to step up and show strength of character that Phoebe has never seen before.

What I had the most fun with though was Spider’s relationship with Phoebe’s dad. John Maxwell is the kind of father-in-law that has to be every groom’s worst night mare. He’s over protective of his daughter, impossible to please and eccentric to a fault. He enjoys making fun of people and speaking in riddles that don’t make sense. And yet, Spider is desperate to win his approval. I found a lot of comedy in their interactions and I hope some of my readers will be able to relate to Spider’s attempts at bonding with his father-in-law – much of which back fired.

Of all the romance threads in this novel, the relationship between Spider and Phoebe, is certainly the most real. I hope readers enjoy it, particularly for this aspect.

Well, next week I’m heading back home to WA, making a stop off at Rachael John’s place to talk about my last character and hero, Heath Roberts, Natasha’s estranged but determined husband.

Thanks again for allowing me to stop by. Looking forward to your next book… Season of Shadow and Light.

Best wishes,

Loretta Hill

Folks, I highly recommend The Maxwell Sisters. You can check out the buying links here. Don;t forget to leave a comment. Winner will be announced on Loretta’s blog on 23rd Feb.

Oh, and check out my previous guest post – Maggie Joel, who is also giving a book away.

You can never have too many books!

Jenn.

Posted on 05/02/2015 by Jenn J McLeod — 12 Comments

#WriteRoundOz w/ Maggie Joel (book giveaway)

Today I am visiting NSW, and the marvellous Maggie Joel, who recently completed the Allen & Unwin Wordy Women author tour with previous Author Harvestee, Kylie Ladd and also Fiona Higgins (who I hope to ‘visit’ in the near future – hint, hint, Fiona).

Maggie has been writing fiction and non-fiction since the mid-1990s and her short stories have been widely published in Southerly, Westerly, Island, Overland and Canberra Arts Review, and broadcast on ABC radio. Her first novel, The Past and Other Lies, was published to critical acclaim in Australia and New Zealand by Murdoch Books in April 2009 and in the US by Felony & Mayhem Press in 2013 and was chosen as the Sydney Morning Herald’s ‘Pick of the Week’. Her second novel, The Second-Last Woman in England, was published by Murdoch Books in Australia and New Zealand in 2010, in the US in 2011 and in the UK by Constable & Robinson in 2013. This book was also selected as the Sydney Morning Herald’s ‘Pick of the Week’ and was awarded the 2011 Fellowship of Australian Writers’ Christina Stead Award for Fiction. Maggie’s third novel, Half the World in Winter, was published in Australia by Allen & Unwin in October 2014.

Maggie, thank you for letting my park my rig on your …underground car park??

Jenn, I see you’ve managed to squeeze your van into our apartment block’s underground car park which is just as well because frankly you’ll be lucky to find an unmetered parking place on this street! Welcome to Sydney’s Inner West.

What’s that I see written on your ‘welcome mat’?

There IS a welcome mat but there’s nothing written on it – it’s there so I know I have got out of the lift on the right floor and am standing outside my own flat and not someone else’s.

I miss my HUGE refrigerator. If I looked in your refrigerator right now, what would I find?

White wine, Corona beer and Indian Tonic Water. A bottle of vodka in the freezer. Even my closest friends would not exactly describe me as a cook…

Downsizing my life into a 24 ft caravan meant leaving lots of things behind in boxes. What (or who!!) would you have trouble leaving behind if you took off in a caravan?

Space. I’ve only recently moved from a small inner city apartment to a large inner city apartment and every day is joy of spatial discovery for me.

Whose home would you like to visit in your van and why?

Could we go and visit Hillary Clinton? I think she and I could have a good old chat over a cup of tea and some biscuits

Do you REALLY have room at your house to park a fifth wheeler caravan and do you mind visitors? Oh, sorry, you don’t have to answer that one!! 🙂

Oh yes visitors provide a useful distraction from writing. So long as I know you’re coming – I really don’t do spontaneity – you are most welcome. And your van.

Country curiosities…

My latest novel, Season of Shadow and Light, has a strong horse theme. (I love what horses can teach us). If you were an animal what would you be?

A kitten or a panda. Everyone would instantly adore me and I wouldn’t actually need to do anything.

You’re cooking and your food is going up against the best cooks from the CWA (Country Women’s Association). What would be your winning dish?

I mix a mean Gin and Tonic and my skills with a take-away menu are legendary.

About you…

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Plot. Gets me every time. I love dialogue, characterisation, setting and research, that all comes fairly easily, but nailing that plot down can drive me to distraction on occasion.

If someone was to write your biography, what do you think the title should be?

‘My Past and Other Lies’ – which is a corruption of the title of my first novel, ‘The Past and Other Lies’.

What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

‘How did you feel when you heard you had won the Booker Prize?’

And my answer: ‘I am so humbled. Winning it the first time was incredible, but to have taken out the prize three years in a row is something I never dreamed of.’

Favourite four…

Favourite place in Australia: Sydney. I arrived here one winter’s morning many years ago and never left.

Favourite holiday destination (anywhere): New York City. Took my far too long to get there but it was everything I hoped it would be and more.

Favourite movie: The Hours, from Michael Cunningham’s astonishing book of the same name. I re-watched it on TV recently and was blown away by it all over again.

Favourite quote: Pretty much anything Winston Churchill said – that man was the last word in pithy one-liners, every one of them priceless.

If I said to you, “Just entertain me for five minutes, I’m not going to talk,” what would you do?

Well, knowing you’re a fellow writer I’d talk about how I got started as a writer and how I go about writing my novels. I mean what writer doesn’t like talking about their process, or hearing about someone else’s process?

Giveaway

Maggie has a signed copy of her first novel, The Past and Other Lies, to give away. Entries close 20 February. Enter by telling us YOUR favourite Aussie town. (I’ll add an entry to anyone who Tweets/Facebooks.)

Find more about Maggie Joel on her author website.

Now…

About Half The World In Winter, published in September 2014 by Allen & Unwin

In 1881 in London, everything changes for the wealthy Jarmyn family. The misfortunes on the railway the family had built echoes the shocking death of nine-year-old Sofia Jarmyn. And at the heart of this family, a terrible secret is tearing their lives apart.

__________________________________

A captivating drama of family secrets and tragedies.

It is London, 1880, and Lucas Jarmyn struggles to make sense of the death of his beloved youngest daughter; his wife, Aurora, seeks solace in rigid social routines; and eighteen-year-old Dinah looks for fulfilment in unusual places. Only the housekeeper, the estimable Mrs Logan, seems able to carry on.

A train accident in a provincial town on the railway Lucas owns claims the life of nine-year-old Alice Brinklow and, amid the public outcry, Alice’s father, Thomas, journeys to London demanding justice. As he arrives in the Capital on a frozen January morning his fate, and that of the entire Jarmyn family, will hinge on such strange things as an ill-fated visit to a spiritualist, an errant chicken bone and a single vote cast at a board room meeting.

Written with charm, humour and rich period detail, Maggie Joel has created an intriguing novel of a Victorian family adrift in their rapidly changing world.