Cath Crowley's Blog, page 7

My first secret tiny stories are coming and they're so go...

My first secret tiny stories are coming and they're so good. I've also got one secret story picture.

Secret stories

one

 

 

two

Lucy found the photo, and looked at her mum's breasts for the first time.

 

three

It's time.

 

four

She looked at the sun like it had told her a joke. Her feet balancing on extreme fluffiness and complete happiness. Her smile filled the universe while she trekked through the cloud forest.

 

Five 

Someone once told me that death will not give me freedom. The knife in my hand seemed heavy so I went down to the river and threw the knife into the water, knowing fully well that it will sink to the bottom and not bother me again. The knife. And death.

 

Six

I used to be braver….

The box of secret tiny stories I got a box of tiny secr...

The box of secret tiny stories

 

I got a box of tiny secret stories this week. And some glass trapped words.

 

The very talented students at Killester College in Springvale filled a box with tiny bits of stories. I've been reading them all day.

Tiny stories in a box is the best present ever. I'm addicted but I need more stories for the box.

So, I don't want to beg, but if you have snippet of a story and you feel generous enough to send it, I could make a HUGE box of tiny stories. You could just post them in the comments section. I'd be very grateful…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A friend gave me these glass-caught words. I really love small, trapped pieces of story.

 

GRAFFITI MOON GIVEAWAY – WINNERS

 

I've taken so long to post the winners because I couldn't pick them. The lines are all so beautiful.

It seems wrong to choose two above the others but I had to and so I did.

 

So - congratulations Iffath for your whole poem – I adored it.  

She loves the feeling of being

on an aeroplane,

thousands of feet up, sharing lemonade

with the sunset

Feeling so small,

the whole world, stars and all,

laid out before her

She thinks it tastes like home

and the colour purple,

drinks it all in with such

elegant concentration.

she hopes that she won't ever be able

to leave,

hopes the wonder will

never fade

like everything else did.

 

And congratulations to Henriette – gorgeous lines

I love the smell of something good. The morning air in summer, just before the sun comes up. The pages of a new book before anyone first opens it. The short, soft hair on the top of my son's head. Fresh things that hold just a hint of the future.

 

But really, congratulations to you all. I've had a beautiful time reading your lines. Here they (and you) are. 

the things we love

 

Stunningly cold winter mornings, hands wrapped in mittens made by an old friend's mother, throat still burning from scalding coffee, and listening to Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson sing, "I still believe in summer days."

 

***

 

 

 

 

Entering a bookstore, any bookstore, big or small. The feeling that I get, this uncontainable swell of being surrounded by a ton of books waiting to be opened and read.

 

***

Getting a parking spot right out front

 

***

Gold summer on her lips

And cold snow above her skin

***

I love the scratch of the paper as the lines loop and swoop and pull through, connecting letters to words and words to phrases and phrases to sentences, connecting writer to reader; sharing thoughts and love and struggle and triumph – writing is more than just expression, but an opening and an offering to the outside.

***

Words and the fact that you can create something out of nothing from them… the way that some combinations soar and others collide unevenly but that no matter what, something is being said and it can have an infinite number of meanings.

***

I love happy hour

***

I love the possibility of something really great happening

 

***

Snuggling in bed with my son, his head upon my shoulder, listening intently as I read and watching him fall in love with the magic of Harry Potter for the first time

***

Watching the sky. It was all stormy and windy yesterday but today it's a clear blue

***

The dance within my body is a force fighting to get out and what you see is me succumbing to the movement; breaking free and colliding all in one breath

***

Rabbits.

And my own ghost. I would really love my own ghost.

***

Making a playlist that almost seems to have a thread connecting your iPod and your heart.

***

Lying in the sun, soaking up the energy, feeling the warmth spread over my skin.

 

***

The moment before I open my eyes, but after I wake up

When I hear the murmurings of my parents and my brothers downstairs,

And I realize with absolute joy that it is the weekend and that maybe I can roll over once more and doze off before I join them.

 

***

The smell of Lemon Verbena… a plant in my Nan's garden from long ago.

Reminds me of the fun times playing acrobatics in her yard (Nan was an agile fit Nan even towards the end.) We would crush it as we cart wheeled about

 

***

I love when I pick up a book and know that I could lose myself, even if only for a short time, in a world that is more amazing than Earth alone.

 

***

I love watching Lulu stick her head out if the car window

I love watching her tail wag

***

I love films where the teenage kid and the parent swap bodies

Gelati in the winter time

And the taste of a really good chai latte

***

I love that even though I live far from my family, spend too much time without my hubby, sometimes have to raise our boys as a "single parent", and have moved three times in the past 5 years, I am endlessly proud of his job as a Solider and all we've accomplished individually as together.

***

Mum's homemade meatballs

Popcorn with lots of salt

***

I love skipping

Well sometimes

***

I love that there are other people in this world who share my passion for reading.

***

My collection of Cabbage Patch Kids – because their cute dimples and 'I want a hug' arms listen, even when their little clothe ears don't.

***

I love him even though he can be a pain, when loading the washing machine. When doing my revision on my desk, in my room and when sweeping the floor with a broom. He is as cunning as a top class thief and God forbid but I am afraid, curiosity may well be his death.

***

Holding my dog's head in the palms of my hands and staring into her big brown eyes while my face is barely an inch away from hers.

***

I love the stars, the way they are always there yet you can never tell if they are the same as the night before, it feels like you can lie beneath them forever.

***

I love the tingle in my tastebuds as the bitter red releases from its berry form and dissolves slowly down my throat, coating it with freshness.

***

That JOLT, as you realise that for those few hours-minutes-seconds of reading, you were in another world; and it was completely worth it.

***

Stars.

Pizza served by beautiful Italian boys

And the smell of rain

***

Writing a travel book about our recent trip to China.  I savour, I remember, I see differently, I hear the rain and smell food and dust in the air but most of all breathe in the people, the people, the people…Colour is what I love the most.Characters and tones and pinyin and the powerful beating sounds of large red drums. Yes, I admit it. I am in love with an entire country.

***

I love the idea of snow

***

I love potatoes mashed,baked, fried,steamed, crinkle cut…..

***

Hearing the sounds of genuine happiness- laughter

***

I love it when my personal trainer says only one more to go…..

***

I love my love for chinese chicken terryaki with red hot hot sauce, and a bag full of valentine day chocolates;)

***

I love the feel of each stroke, there's no rush or jolt, the boat is moving perfectly everytime the oars touch the water, four bodies moving as one and the love of rowing that brings us together.

***

I love to smell the pages and feel the glossy cover of a brand new book, right before I open it to be transported to a new world.

***

I love knowing I can …..

 

***

Life breathes and holds on to you, for without life, where would we be?

***

I love singing in the car

***

I love the smell of something good. The morning air in summer, just before the sun comes up. The pages of a new book before anyone first opens it. The short, soft hair on the top of my son's head. Fresh things that hold just a hint of the future.

***

I love lying beneath the stars, how they seem both inches away and miles away. I love listening to my father name the constellations, even though he only knows a few. I love that we can both be looking up but also be looking at each other, all in one moment.

***

I love going to a foreign country and feeling like I've stepped through a secret passage and into a new world.

 

***

 

She loves the feeling of being

on an aeroplane,

thousands of feet up, sharing lemonade

with the sunset

Feeling so small,

the whole world, stars and all,

laid out before her

She thinks it tastes like home

and the colour purple,

drinks it all in with such

elegant concentration.

she hopes that she won't ever be able

to leave,

hopes the wonder will

never fade

like everything else did.

 

~

 

I loved that moment when

we first met,

and your smile went

from nonexistant to

something that would make thunder happy

Join for me a free live chat with TheReadingRoom.com (please)

 

I'd love it if you would join me in a free  live chat with TheReadingRoom.com on Tuesday 28th 7pm US time or Wednesday 29th at 11am Australian time. Click here:http://www.thereadingroom.com/book-club/the-bookanistas/1435

 

 

 

We could chat about all kinds of things. Art, poetry, the writing process, your story idea, cake, dialogue, how hard it is to plot, character, voice…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Such great things to love.I'll add the others that com...

 

Such great things to love.

I'll add the others that come in and announce the winner on the 22nd. It will be hard to choose. They are all so good.

I've clipped a few in half and spread them through. And there were one or two that weren't phrased to fit so I've clipped them.

I hope that's okay. And if your one should be there and it's not, please tell me.

And lastly, thank you. It made for a beautiful afternoon, reading all of them.

 

here are the things we love. So far.

 

 

Stunningly cold winter mornings, hands wrapped in mittens made by an old friend's mother, throat still burning from scalding coffee, and listening to Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson sing, "I still believe in summer days."

 

***

 

 

 

 

Entering a bookstore, any bookstore, big or small. The feeling that I get, this uncontainable swell of being surrounded by a ton of books waiting to be opened and read.

 

***

Getting a parking spot right out front

 

***

Gold summer on her lips

And cold snow above her skin

***

I love the scratch of the paper as the lines loop and swoop and pull through, connecting letters to words and words to phrases and phrases to sentences, connecting writer to reader; sharing thoughts and love and struggle and triumph – writing is more than just expression, but an opening and an offering to the outside.

***

Words and the fact that you can create something out of nothing from them… the way that some combinations soar and others collide unevenly but that no matter what, something is being said and it can have an infinite number of meanings.

***

I love happy hour

***

I love the possibility of something really great happening

 

***

Snuggling in bed with my son, his head upon my shoulder, listening intently as I read and watching him fall in love with the magic of Harry Potter for the first time

***

Watching the sky. It was all stormy and windy yesterday but today it's a clear blue

***

The dance within my body is a force fighting to get out and what you see is me succumbing to the movement; breaking free and colliding all in one breath

***

Rabbits.

And my own ghost. I would really love my own ghost.

***

Making a playlist that almost seems to have a thread connecting your iPod and your heart.

***

Lying in the sun, soaking up the energy, feeling the warmth spread over my skin.

 

***

The moment before I open my eyes, but after I wake up

When I hear the murmurings of my parents and my brothers downstairs,

And I realize with absolute joy that it is the weekend and that maybe I can roll over once more and doze off before I join them.

 

***

The smell of Lemon Verbena… a plant in my Nan's garden from long ago.

Reminds me of the fun times playing acrobatics in her yard (Nan was an agile fit Nan even towards the end.) We would crush it as we cart wheeled about

 

***

I love when I pick up a book and know that I could lose myself, even if only for a short time, in a world that is more amazing than Earth alone.

 

***

I love watching Lulu stick her head out if the car window

I love watching her tail wag

***

I love films where the teenage kid and the parent swap bodies

Gelati in the winter time

And the taste of a really good chai latte

***

I love that even though I live far from my family, spend too much time without my hubby, sometimes have to raise our boys as a "single parent", and have moved three times in the past 5 years, I am endlessly proud of his job as a Solider and all we've accomplished individually as together.

***

Mum's homemade meatballs

Popcorn with lots of salt

***

I love skipping

Well sometimes

***

I love that there are other people in this world who share my passion for reading.

***

My collection of Cabbage Patch Kids – because their cute dimples and 'I want a hug' arms listen, even when their little clothe ears don't.

***

I love him even though he can be a pain, when loading the washing machine. When doing my revision on my desk, in my room and when sweeping the floor with a broom. He is as cunning as a top class thief and God forbid but I am afraid, curiosity may well be his death.

***

Holding my dog's head in the palms of my hands and staring into her big brown eyes while my face is barely an inch away from hers.

***

I love the stars, the way they are always there yet you can never tell if they are the same as the night before, it feels like you can lie beneath them forever.

***

I love the tingle in my tastebuds as the bitter red releases from its berry form and dissolves slowly down my throat, coating it with freshness.

***

That JOLT, as you realise that for those few hours-minutes-seconds of reading, you were in another world; and it was completely worth it.

***

Stars.

Pizza served by beautiful Italian boys

And the smell of rain

 

 

Well, the lines that are coming in are lovely, lovely. ...

Well, the lines that are coming in are lovely, lovely.

 

Not too late to send your line to be in the running for a FREE copy of Graffiti Moon and to be part of a very beautiful poem thingy about the loves of people all over the world.

 

Oh, and if you're in Castlemaine, you should come along to this

GRAFFITI MOON – BOOK GIVEAWAY

 

 

 

 

 

 

I came home last night to find my copies of Graffiti Moon on the doorstep. Lovely. BIG thanks to my editor. Big thanks to Melina Marchetta and Jenny Downham who read the book and wrote beautiful comments for the cover. Jenny wrote a fantastic piece on character for the Amazon Omnivoracious blog.

It's out in the US on Valentine's Day.

(There's quite a bit of love in it – love of art, poetry, boys with blue hands, boys with shaved heads, boys who can dance and boys who can't, girls who can, girls who make decisions, who love adventures, boys who throw eggs at girls but don't mean it, love of glassblowing, of the time to write, of the way the lights on factories look like stars, love of PEZ, love of Veronica Mars, love of night slowly turning to day…) So it's a good date for it to arrive in the world.

 

 

 

And a great date to do a BOOK GIVEAWAY. As a bit of a celebration I thought I'd give away two copies, open internationally.

 

 

 

 

WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO

Write one line describing something that you love. Send it along in the comments section.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm thinking something along the lines of art or poetry or avocado on toast or gliding under water rather than that guy or girl on the bus who will not look at you no matter how hard you will them to with the power of your eyes, but really, who am I to judge? Send along any love that gets you through the day.

 

 

 

 

 

Write it in an interesting way, though, and we'll put the whole thing together as a full piece. The two loveliest loves get a book. Everyone else gets the good feeling of being words on a page.

 

 

 

And if no one enters, well, I'll write the piece myself. It will be much nicer the other way, though.

 

 

Let's make the DEADLINE – the 22nd of February and I'll announce sometime on the 24th.

 

Cath

 

 

 

P.S Just a reminder that you will find me blogging on RandomBuzzers from Monday 13th to Friday 17th. It would be lovely to have a chat over the net about books and words and what not. So come along and comment.

 

 

 

 

I wrote in the domed reading room of the state library to...

I wrote in the domed reading room of the state library today. Hard not to be inspired.

 

I was underneath this quote

 

Blessed are those who are privileged to read what they like – Dorothy Green.

Yep.

Graffiti Moon Giveaways and some other book news

some things that are going on…

writingwritingwriting

Graffiti Moon has been named Amazon's Best YA Book of the Month. Thank you Amazon. You can find me blogging about the book on the Amazon blog, Omnivoracious.

If you're wondering if you might want to read, it but you're not really sure, there are some lovely reviews of the book here at Words, pages and books, here at The Dancing Reader, here at Publishers Weekly.

There are two great discussions of the book here at whatyareading and here at the Teen Lit Rocks Book Club Day. And if you go to these sites, they're running Graffiti Moon Book Giveaways. So that's exciting.

I'll be blogging at RandomBuzzers in the week starting the 13 of February. Graffiti Moon is released in the US on the 14 of February.

 

Yesterday, I went swimming for the first time in years. I...

Yesterday, I went swimming for the first time in years. I learnt

that bathers are frail things

that there needs to be a really slow lane

that I like to float

but that I don't have a natural buoyancy

that I no longer care what I look like in bathers

or what I look like when I'm out of my bathers (accidentally, just for a few seconds)

that gliding underwater, for a while, stops the world