Tag: Harlequin Australia

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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.

  1. On a chaise lounge (Kate Winslet/Titanic style)?
  2. Fully clothed in a rocker (Whistler’s Mother style)?
  3. A close up of your face (Girl with the Pearl Earring style/Mona Lisa)?
  4. In all your formal finery befitting your ‘authorly’ status (Regal style)?
  5. 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)

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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.

 

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Tea Cooper – Portrait of an Author

The Naturalist, by Tea Cooper, is a terrific read and a fascinating blend of fact and fiction. Because it also has an art theme I thought I’d ask Tea some ‘arty’ questions (and try a watercolour out for my portrait of an author this month. I hope you like it, Tea).

Now, onto those questions…

Q: Pose and composition are important factors for a portrait. What kind of ‘look’ would you like your portrait to have?

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

A: 3 with a bit of 5, because it couldn’t be too close up!

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

A: Sitting on the floor, surrounded by my current pile of research books, in the * tongue-in-cheek* library, that used to be the garage. (It was a toss up between my car and my books – no points for guessing the winner). I’d be wearing Capri pants, an oversized shirt (or a roll neck sweater if it’s cold), and no shoes.

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

A: Not my car! The book of fairy tales my grandfather gave me.

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)

A: I’d be able to sing … loud and impressive opera … actually, opera’s not necessary. Just sing and not send everyone running for cover. I can read music, the result of too many years of enforced choir at boarding school where the music mistress would turn from the piano, grimace and say ‘Why not come and turn the pages for me, dear.’ But sing? Nope. Not a note that vaguely resembles anything that could be interpreted as musical.

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: Anh Do. Perhaps I could absorb his stunning ability to capture the essence of a character … I’d then like to take that talent and apply it to my writing.

Q: Your preferred medium would be?

  • Oil on canvas
  • Watercolour
  • Pencil/Ink
  • Pastels
  • Kiddy crayons

A: Bearing in mind my answer to the above question it must be OIL ON CANVAS. I rather like the idea of a huge canvas and sweeping brush strokes, and the smell of oil paint, linseed and turpentine is so evocative … Monmartre, berets, red wine, garrets and French accents.

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.”

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

A: Curiosity and naivety. I was paid the greatest compliment a few years ago. I was at the beach with some friends. Their daughter and I had a wonderful time exploring the rock pools. When we returned to the picnic her father asked her if we’d had fun. ‘Yes,’ she said, ‘but I think she’s forgotten she’s a grown up.’

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: A little bit of poetic licence here … over the fireplace in Wollombi Museum (it was built as the court house in the middle of the 19th century but the magistrate’s room has a fireplace) just so I can keep an eye on any new exhibits. I don’t think I could bear it if something interesting was donated and I missed it. And everyone who came in would say ‘That bloody woman’s always here.’

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!

I’ve no doubt the Historical Society would demand something old world but I’d have to refuse. Absolutely no frame. I’m somewhat claustrophobic so it would a disaster. I’d fight my way off the wall and cause all kinds of chaos.

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

Every one of those wrinkles tells a story!

About the author: Tea Cooper is an established Australian author of contemporary and historical fiction. In a past life she was a teacher, a journalist and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling. She is the bestselling author of The Horse Thief, published by Harper Collins/MIRA in 2015, The Cedar Cutter (2016) and The Currency Lass (2017). Her latest story, The Naturalist’s Daughter is available now.

Website: http://www.teacooperauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeaCooper/

Now… Before you go, I have some more author portraits to celebrate the release of my 5th novel (now available for pre-order) and ready for 1 March release (ebook) and (for print books) March 19 in Australia/NZ and April 5 overseas.

Yes, I am excited!!!!!!!!

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

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Lily Malone – Portrait of an Author (w/ giveaway)

Welcome to my fun Q&A where you’ll discover new things about some of our favourite authors. I’m delighted to welcome my good friend (funny, very talented and multi-published), Lily Malone, to a blog series that celebrates another art form (as my new novel is a love story about a sitter and an artist!!) NOTE: giveaway is not closed.

 Let’s start, Lily …

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

I’d like something a bit more glamorous thank you very much, because everyone thinks of glamour when they think of me, (they do, don’t they, Jenn?) thinking Reese Witherspoon/Nicole Kidman red carpet at Big Little Lies premier-style.

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 at my computer desk. Wearing socks. Black leggings (I’ve just been for a walk) and a long sleeved pink sloppy shirt. Oh, and a wrist brace because I’m an author and I type too much! (I also have my hair in pigtails. Don’t tell anyone!)

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

A bottle of red wine. A pack of cards, Joker facing out.

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)

Is that what acquired savant is? I’d no idea. I’d like to be brilliant at poker. A genius/world champion at Texas Hold-em. If that’s not an option, then golf. A genius at golf would be good (not to mention lucrative).

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?

I think I’d like to paint Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Harrison Ford (Han Solo) together, now they’re old. They made me cry in the first of the newer Star Wars movies (Was it The Force Awakens?), and now, of course, the very lovely but so tortured, Carrie Fisher has passed, I wish even more that I’d had this skill and opportunity.

Q: Your preferred medium would be?

A: Oil on canvas

B: Watercolour

C: Pencil/Ink

D: Pastels

E: Kiddy crayons

Lily says: F: Patricia Arquette

(Oh, Lily, you always make me laugh.)

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?

Hopefully that my life is rich with wonderful family and friends, and that I’ve made some big mistakes but they didn’t kill me, and they’ve made me stronger.

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?

My friend Carrie’s, where it would sit over our Thursday night girls card table… and (if we refer to 3 above, I would have my pack of cards with the Joker showing.) Carrie would say: “bloody Lil, and she reckoned she never gets dealt the Joker”)

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

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

A: Minimalist or no frame at all – just the canvas (take me as I am) This one!

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

Life is always about the next hand

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Lily Malone might have been a painter, except her year-old son put a golf club through her canvas. So she wrote her first book, His Brand of Beautiful instead. Lily has now written three full-length rural romance stories and a novella all published by Harlequin Escape. Her debut trade paperback, The Vineyard In The Hills was published by Harlequin MIRA in September 2016, and her new release with MIRA is Water Under The Bridge, Book 1 in the Chalk Hill series, out now. When she isn’t writing, Lily likes gardening, walking, wine, and walking in gardens (sometimes with wine). She loves to hear from readers and you can find her on Facebook, and on Twitter: @lily_lilymalone. To contact Lily, visit www.lilymalone.wordpress.com

GIVEAWAY: NOW CLOSED AND WINNER ADVISED

Lily is giving away a print copy of her book – Butterfly House Book 1: Who Killed The Bride? (a whole lot of fun and based in her hometown, featuring the very famous Cowaramup Cows. Oh, I do love cows!)

Just LIKE this post and tell us in the comments if you’d like to be in the draw. (Aust. only, sorry. Blame Aust Post for the exorbitant prices.)

Before you go, I have some more author portraits to celebrate the release of my 5th novel (March 19 in Australia/NZ and April 5 overseas) so you might want to subscribe to my blog (right) or 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.