Posted on 10/03/201811/03/2018 by Jenn J McLeod

Vanessa Carnevale – Portrait of an Author

The Memories That Make Us is a delightful romance story. Meet the author. Vanessa and I are on a mission to bring the ‘lost memory’ story back into fashion!!

Q: Vanessa,as pose and composition are important factors for a portrait, choose what kind of ‘look’ would you like for your portrait.

On a chaise lounge (Kate Winslet/Titanic style)?
Fully clothed in a rocker (Whistler’s Mother style)?
A close up of your face (Girl with the Pearl Earring style/Mona Lisa)?
In all your formal finery befitting your ‘authorly’ status (Regal style)?
Other?

I’d say 3, or a variation on 1 where I’m lying on a hammock on the beach in the Maldives reading a book, living the perfect life in a place that quite literally, feels like paradise. (I visited the Maldives on my honeymoon and would so very much love to go back again one day. Maybe for my portrait!)

Q: *Snap* I just took your photo as a reference for my portrait of you. Tell us where you are and what you’re wearing. (Be honest.)

I’m sitting in the alfresco with a cup of tea, enjoying the gorgeous sunshine, and a gentle breeze. I’m wearing a t-shirt, comfy pants, and my hair is pulled into a messy bun. Totally glamorous!

Q: Given a choice, what precious item would you want to be included in a portrait of you?

I don’t tend to have strong attachments to things (though I do love teacups, and of course books) so I’m not really sure! Does a smile count? In all honesty, I’d probably be more concerned with choosing the perfect background for it. Somewhere beautiful and relaxing. Maybe by a lake in a beautiful garden setting or something!

Q: With acquired savant syndrome* featuring in my next novel, I’m curious . . . If you were to wake up from a coma one day to find yourself totally obsessed and a genius (in something other than writing, of course) what would you want it to be? (music, painting, languages, maths, touching your toes while typing, etc)

I really wish I hadn’t given up piano lessons when I was a young girl. I should have listened to my mum! I’d also love to be able to paint watercolour (like Mia in The Florentine Bridge) so it would be either one of those things. One day I’d really like to do some watercolour classes. I find painting to be very relaxing, and helpful for my creativity.

Q: If you happened to wake up one day and be a genius with a paintbrush, whose portrait would you want to paint and why?

Oprah’s! I love her and find her and a lot of the guests she interviews very inspiring. Could you imagine the conversation one could have with Oprah while working on her portrait?! Yes, I’d definitely love spending time with Oprah. After I do my painting lessons of course. In case the genius thing doesn’t happen.

Q: Your preferred medium would be?

Oil on canvas
Watercolour
Pencil/Ink
Pastels
Kiddy crayons

Watercolour! I love the gentleness and fluidity of it. I follow Melbourne artist, Louise De Masi on social media (I have a few of her botanical prints in my study) and she makes it look so easy.

Q: Picasso once asked the question: “Are we to paint what’s on the face, what’s inside the face, or what’s behind it?” In my next novel, the artists says to 58 y.o Ava, “A mature person has depth of character and it’s their layers, built from life’s lessons that interest me the most—when wisdom replaces curiosity and experience replaces youthful exuberance.”

Q: What two traits would you hope an artist captures in a portrait of you?

I can’t wait to read this book! What a lovely line. This is such an original question that has given me much to think about. I think our eyes say a lot about us, and I’m quite the dreamer, so I’d probably be gazing up at the clouds thinking about my next book. I also like to think I have a lot of love to give, and love is precious, so somehow, maybe the amazing artist might find a way to convey that, too. And of course, I’d want it to radiate happiness, too.

Q: Because every fireplace deserves a portrait, in whose house would you hang a portrait of you as a surprise and what would they say?

Probably my mum’s because she’s the only one who would probably get excited by it!

Q: Keeping in mind that lucky recipient of your portrait, how would see yourself framed?

Minimalist or no frame at all – just the canvas (take me as I am)
Modernist – chrome, nothing too fancy
Sophisticated – warm, wood, old world
Flamboyant – go all the way and gilt-edged!

Sophisticated! (Looks at her t-shirt and comfy pants! Ha!) Really, I chose this one for the warm, wood, and old world qualities. That feels like a good fit for me.

Q: Finally, if someone was to add a plague/title your portrait, how would it read?

A: Just my name would do!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Vanessa Carnevale is a freelance writer and novelist who has contributed to The Green Parent, The Huffington Post, Muse, and Italy magazine, among others. Her debut novel, The Florentine Bridge, was published by MIRA in Australia in 2017. She was a finalist in the Best New Author category for the AusRom Today Readers Choice Awards 2017. She lives in Australia with her husband and two children.

When not writing, Vanessa loves to travel and often finds inspiration for her stories in locations outside her hometown of Melbourne. She is also the creator and host of Your Beautiful Writing Life retreats held in Australia and Tuscany, Italy. She loves tea, and flowers, and often dreams of escaping to the country.

YOU CAN PURCHASE A COPY OF The Memories That Make Us here. (http://bit.ly/2neuMb1)

Connect with Vanessa on her website: www.vanessacarnevale.com or Facebook www.facebook.com/vanessacarnevalewriter

If you enjoyed Vanessa’s post, why not share it? Or you might like to subscribe to my newsletter for, well, news! (right)

Now… Before you go, I have some more author portraits to celebrate the release of my 5th novel (ebook now available) and print on March 19 in Australia/NZ and April 5 overseas.

Check out my Book Room for info about A Place to Remember.

*Acquired savant syndrome, in which a person acquires prodigious capabilities or skills following dementia, a head injury or concussion, epilepsy or other disturbances.

Posted on 01/03/201807/03/2018 by Jenn J McLeod — 1 Comment

Imagine a movie that reunites the McLeod’s Daughters cast!

I have! A girl can dream, can’t she?

Dreaming was what Liane Moriarty did when struggling to conceptualise the right character for her Little Big Lies #2. (More on that later.)

I also had a huge, impossible dream to be published and in 2013 House for all Seasons was #5 top-selling debut novel. So it’s fitting to have my BOOK #5 released on the same day as my debut. TODAY – March 1. (The ebook of my 5th novel, A Place to Remember, is ready to read.)

So, the message is…“Imagine and it will come.”

That’s my motto and with ‘producer Posie’s’ blessing, I’m going to share my movie version starring the McLeod’s cast. (See Posie’s note below.)

Here comes HOUSE FOR ALL SEASONS – THE MOVIE, starring…

I’m not sure why I didn’t think about this before now, unless it’s because, lately, I’ve been bingeing on my favourite TV series and wondering where the cast members of McLeod’s Daughters are these days, or maybe because I just watched Aaron Jeffery’s portrayal of Chopper Reed (creepy, but a Logie contender, for sure) and wished I could watch more TV shows with ex-McLeod’s cast members. (I think I spotted Brett Tucker in a US TV show the other day.)

So, I Googled the McLeod’s cast and when I saw how they’d aged – beautifully (haven’t we all?) – I thought . . .

Hang on a minute! Those actors are at the perfect age to play my four characters out of House for all Seasons – a story about . . .

Four women,
Four lives unravelled.
And the truth that binds them forever.

Bequeathed a century-old house, four estranged friends return to their hometown, Calingarry Crossing, where each must stay for a season at the Dandelion House to fulfil the wishes of their benefactor, Gypsy. But coming home to the country stirs shameful memories of the past, including the tragic end-of-school muck up day accident twenty years earlier.

At the Dandelion House, the women all discover something about themselves and a secret that ties all four to each other and to the house – forever.
***

Now, forgive me for saying so, but with House for all Seasons having a reunion theme, the idea of reuniting old cast members from a much-loved show is a bit of a no-brainer.

What do you think?

Can you imagine an ensemble cast that might play the four characters?

I have . . . (and feel free to give me your thoughts in a comment).

Bridie Carter or Jess Napier can play Sara – a breast cancer survivor afraid to fall in love; (Aaron Jeffery MUST play Will, ex-footy hero and love interest! Must, must, must!)

Zoe Naylor or Jess Napier would make a great Poppy – a tough, ambitious journo still craving her father’s approval;

Rachel Carpani would be great as Amber – a spoilt socialite addicted to painkillers and cosmetic procedures;

But I think Lisa Chappell is the only person who could play Caitlin. She’s perfect to play a doctor frustrated by a controlling family and her flat-lining life. (And the character who is, helped by hunky vet, played by Myles Pollard or Brett Tucker, who solves the mystery).

(and let’s not forget Sonya Todd (Meg), who would be a great ‘Cheryl’.

***

Of course, I’m dreaming, right? As if that will ever happen! But it’s what we writers do. We use our imaginations all the time, in different ways, includes picturing our stories on the big screen. More recently, I fantasised about The Thorn Birds cast reunion as I wrote A Place to Remember. And I’ll let you in on a secret: Rachel Ward and Matilda Brown inspired my characters as I wrote Ava, and her daughter Nina. Imagine THAT? Rachel, Bryan and Matilda Brown all playing together in the movie version.

Ah, yes, a girl can dream.

But you know what?

Publishing a book was a dream once, so I know they do come true.

And about Liane Moriarty stryggling to conceptualise a character…

It was Liane’s sister, Jaclyn, who suggested she try imagining an actress in the role to help her get inside the character’s head. Liane imagined Meryl Streep and, yep, you guessed it, Meryl heard about it and signed on for the role!

So keep dreaming, people (and keep hoping these amazing actors come back to our screens one way or another.

***

GIVEAWAY CLOSED – WINNER ADVISED – More books to win coming soon for newsletter subscribers.

To celebrate the anniversary of House for all Seasons, I’m giving the ENTIRE SEASONS COLLECTION away to anyone who signs-up to my newsletter BEFORE 4/3/18.

(Those already signed up will automatically go into thE draw.)

(*Aust. postal addresses only, sorry*)

And no…

Sadly there will be no more discussions re a McLeod’s Daughters return. A message from Posie, herself (via Facebook Fan Page.)

P.S. Posie, thank you for letting me have a little McLeod’s fun.

Meeting you in 2012 was a dream come true, too!

Respectfully yours, Jenn J McLeod (The Lost McLeod Daughter!!)

A Place to Remember – set on a central QLD cattle station over three decades is now available – in ebook. See my Book Room for where to get it.

“The author encapsulates both the Australian way of life and landscape perfectly, crafting an authentic, heartwarming, and rugged saga (that is) reminiscent of master storyteller, Judy Nunn.” AusRom Today

Posted on 24/02/201824/02/2018 by Jenn J McLeod — 3 Comments

Shirley Wine – Portrait of an Author w/ giveaway

Welcome to my fun Q&A where you’ll discover new things about some of your favourite authors. Shirley (with the best last name EVER) is adding a little New Zealand flavour to my blog series that celebrates art (because my new novel is a love story about a sitter and an artist!!) It’s actually fitting that Shirley follow on from Lily Malone’s author portrait, as Lily would also like the last name ‘Wine’. As would I, although I fear mine would more likely be ‘Whine’.

Welcome, Shirley, let’s start…

Q: As pose and composition are important factors for a portrait, choose what kind of ‘look’ would you like for your portrait.

On a chaise lounge (Kate Winslet/Titanic style)
Fully clothed in a rocker (Whistler’s Mother style)
A close up of your face (Girl with the Pearl Earring style/Mona Lisa)
In all your formal finery befitting your ‘authorly’ status (Regal style)
Other

A: A close-up of my face

Q: *Snap* I just took your photo as a reference for my portrait of you. Tell us where you are and what you’re wearing. (Be honest.)

A: I was all dolled up to attend the New Zealand Governor-General’s Waitangi Day Garden Party on February 6^th 2018.

(Shirley, you looked fabulous with Jacinda and in that hat!)

Q: Given a choice, what precious item would you want to be included in a portrait of you?

A: A pendant my Mum gave me before she died. My Dad had given it to her many years earlier.

(Shirley, you may very well relate to the characters in A Place to Remember!!)

A: Definitely, an artist. I’ve always admired people who can turn a blank canvas into an arresting piece of art. I don’t paint, but my house is filled with artwork. It feeds my soul.

Q: If you happened to wake up one day and be a genius with a paintbrush, whose portrait would you want to paint and why?

A: Dame Whina Cooper … I can hear you say, who is she? (Yes, do tell, Shirley.) Dame Whina was an 80 year old Maori lady who in 1975 set off from Te Hāpua (in the far north) and walked to Parliament in Wellington to protest the sale of Maori Land by the Government of the day. She was one gutsy lady who believed in standing up for what was right.

Q: Your preferred medium would be?

Oil on canvas
Watercolour
Pencil/Ink
Pastels
Kiddy crayons

A: Definitely Watercolour

(Your wish is my command, Shirley!)

Picasso once asked the question: “Are we to paint what’s on the face, what’s inside the face, or what’s behind it?” In my next novel, the artist says to 58 y.o Ava, “A mature person has depth of character and it’s their layers, built from life’s lessons that interest me the most—when wisdom replaces curiosity and experience replaces youthful exuberance.”

Q: What two traits would you hope an artist captures in a portrait of you?

A: Hope and perseverance; what is life without either of these qualities? It is Hope that keeps the human spirit alive, without hope you have nothing.

Q: Because every fireplace deserves a portrait, in whose house would you hang a portrait of you as a surprise and what would they say?

A: My youngest daughter, she’s endured some really hard times. I would like to think she would be heartened to receive such a gift as a reminder that despite sorrow and sadness, life does go on.

Q: Keeping in mind that lucky recipient of your portrait, how would see yourself framed?

Minimalist or no frame at all – just the canvas (take me as I am)
Modernist – chrome, nothing too fancy
Sophisticated – warm, wood, old world
Flamboyant – go all the way and gilt-edged!

A: Definitely Number three …nothing beats the mellow charm of old wood.

Q: Finally, if someone was to add a plaque/title your portrait, how would it read?

Shirley Wine: Life’s Survivor.

(I hear ya, Shirley. You have triumphed despite every sad and bad thing. You are an inspiration and I am so glad we caught up here in Oz in 2015. Must do that again!)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shirley Wine is from a large farming family in which oral storytelling was encouraged, a throwback to her family’s Irish roots. She has lived and worked on the land alongside her husband for many years, and a love for the land runs as deep as the blood in her veins, so writing rural romance was a natural progression for this author.

No stranger to devastating personal tragedy, these experiences are often reflected in Shirley’s often gritty stories about triumph over adversity.

For many years, Shirley was a freelance writer with a regular ‘Country Comment’ column in a New Zealand national daily newspaper, and she has worked on local and regional newspapers. A long-time member of Romance Writers of New Zealand, Shirley is now retired and lives with her husband in a quiet rural Waikato town with one spoiled cat and two equally spoiled dogs.

Website https://www.shirleywine.com
Shirley’s latest Book: Caught By Her Spell http://a.co/2jMuRum

GIVEAWAY: Shirley has TWO e-copies of Caught By Her Spell to give away.
Just leave a comment.

Before you go…

I will have more book giveaways, author portraits and some special gifts to celebrate my 5th novel, so you might like to subscribe to my newsletter. March 1 is ‘E’ day for A Place to Remember. Yep, you can be reading it before the book hits the shops (March 19 in Australia/NZ and April 5 overseas). I have all links right here in my Book Room.