M.J. Scott's Blog, page 34
February 15, 2013
A week in the life
The days continue to be just packed. So far I’ve been sticking to my photo a day project and, as a result, taking more pics. Mostly with my iPhone as that’s the camera I tend to have with me. Need to get out the big camera to play with on the weekends but the iPhone 5 camera does take some great shots. And there are eleventy billion apps to make them look even better (may have a wee addiction to photo apps).
So here’s a random selection of pics from my week.
Next week…less red in photos ; )!
February 4, 2013
Winners….Australia Day Blog Hopgiveaway
As decreed by the powers of random.org, the winning entrants in my Australia Day Blog Hop giveaway are:
Choice of either Shadow Kin or Blood Kin…Karina
Choice of a Keri Arthur book…Sonia Cattley
Congratulations and thanks to everyone who dropped by to comments (and to Bookdout and Confessions from Romaholics for running the blog hop). Karina and Sonia, I’ll be in touch to organise your prizes.
February 1, 2013
Iron Kin…the excerpt
And ta-da…we have the first Iron Kin excerpt which is the first half of chapter one. As usual the rest of chapter one will be up later this month and then chapter two in March.
I also have these pretties….
So I’ll have to do a giveaway of one soon…stay tuned!
Otherwise, I’m kind of surprised that it’s February already. But then again January was pretty busy. I divested myself of a wisdom tooth (well, my oral surgeon did the removing but you know what I mean), one of my dearest friends has a baby (he snuck in on New Year’s Eve but we’ll call that January), I saw Neil Gaimain talk, I finished the first draft of the first of my Melanie Scott books (third person…present day…fun!), I continued in the development of my latest comedy crush by watching many Tim Minchin DVDs (musical, funny, guyliner…what’s not to love), I watched Series 3 of Downton Abbey (can’t discuss, SPOILERS) and the Hobbit and Pitch Perfect and started writing Fire Kin.
I (sob) made a start at culling my book collection as small house plus many books means something has to give eventually. I’m becoming much more selective about what I buy in paper versus e (where availability and pricing allows), so hopefully that will stem the tide of new paper books once I clear the decks a bit (this may be overly optimistic thinking). And I even read some books. My two faves were The One That Got Away by Kelly Hunter (if you like contemporary romance, you should be reading Kelly…it’s out now so go go go read it) and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (late to that party but book of much plot twistiness, admiration for her brain, I have).
I also signed up to do a photo a day type project for the next year (Project Life 365) and a iphone photography course and started looking at other crafty things to try this year (copious spare time, not so much, therefore quick things there must be as any knitting projects are going to take months at the moment). I like color and pictures and things so may try Project Life or Smash books or both. Who knows? I’m also working with my lovely and fabulous web designer to get the funkier, prettier, does-more-stuff version of Melanie’s website up (more playing with colours and fonts and pictures). All in all, to quote, Calvin and Hobbes, the days are just packed! How about all of you? How did the year kick off?
January 24, 2013
Australia Day Book Giveaway Blog Hop
Here in Australia, it’s about to be the day that we celebrate our Aussie-ness. Yes, January 26 is Australia Day and there will be much barbequing, drinking of beverages, playing beach cricket and generally relaxing (at least for those people not currently trying to finish a book draft).
To celebrate, the cool gals at Bookdout and Confessions from Romaholics have organised much goodness in the
Book giveaways. Aussie writers. What can be better?
So to celebrate both, I’m offering a copy of either Shadow Kin or Blood Kin (winner’s choice) for one prize and one copy of a book by my fab friend Keri Arthur (from either the Riley or Risa series – winner’s choice). Keri was just voted #18 in Booktopia’s Australia’s Favourite Novelist. She rocks!
Enries are open to everyone. If you’re an international entrant, I’ll send you the book via Amazon. I can send e-copies if they’re available to wherever you are. Aussies will get signed paper books (hey, it is Australia Day!)
To enter, just leave me a comment….Aussies tell me a fave thing about Australia…everyone else, tell me something you know about Australia.
Be sure to check out the rest of the bloghop, details can be found on Bookdout.
January 13, 2013
A challenge
Last week when I was hanging out recuperating from having a tooth out, I spent a bit of time on Pinterest. So many pretties, so little time. Like most people on Pinterest, I pin a lot of stuff but don’t necessarily try it. But I decided that I want to try some new cooking things this year to expand my repertoire, so I’ve decided to make a list of 12 things I want to cook this year and will try and report back each month. (This isn’t in order…I reserve the right to pick whatever I feel like in any given month). I’m linking to examples I’ve found on Pinterest but I may change my mind on any given recipe!
1. A baked cheesecake. I generally prefer cold-set but I did love the NY style cheesecake while I was in New York and I’ve never actually made one.
3. Properly decorated sugar cookies
4. Pavlova (not sure I’ve ever actually made one…if I have it was a long time ago)
5. Home made beans of some sort
6. Whoopie pies
7. Macarons
8. At least 3 different green smoothies (I can tick one off the list already…this one)
10. Pita bread
11. Onion jam (or maybe bacon jam…mmm bacon)
12. Pineapple upside down hummingbird cake
I’d also like to try tamales but really not sure if I can get the masa here. Oh and Mum gave me a cake pop set so should try those too!
Also, I need to try one new dinner recipe a month that isn’t on the list above. I tend to get into a stir-fry/pasta/meat and vegies rut, so want to find some new faves!
Let the noms commence!
January 12, 2013
Also
I forgot to say that I’m very excited because Blood Kin has been nominated for Favourite Sci-Fi, Fantasy or Sci-Fi Romance in the Australian Romance Readers Awards for 2012! So thank you to everyone who nominated me (and my lovely cover for Best Cover)! If you’re an ARRA member, don’t forget to vote though there are so many great books in every category that it’s kind of hard to choose!
I’ll be at the ARRA conference in March, so looking forward to seeing everyone there!
The Next Big Things
The Next Big Thing – Melanie
What is the working title of your book? The Devil in Denim (should be out Spring 2014)
Where did the idea come from for the book? I had an opportunity to pitch a series to the editor…and had to come up with 3 guys who were linked on some way. I didn’t want to do the military or brothers so the weird recesses of my writer brain threw up baseball instead.
What genre does your book fall under? Contemporary romance
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie? I do collage my books so use actor stand-ins though they’re never exactly right. Alex is sort of Jude Law-ish and Maggie is kind of Angie Harmon.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? My agent is Miriam Kriss at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? So far about six weeks…hopefully only a couple more!
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? That’s a tricky question! Maybe Susan Elizabeth Phillips Chicago Stars? Though my guys aren’t athletes, they own the team.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?? As I said above, the idea of three guys linked by baseball fell out of my brain and then the heros sought of popped up in quick succession once I’d come up with that idea. Maggie came along when I started writing the opening scene.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? There’s a little bit of sport, there’s a bit of humor, there’s a bit of good old romance and a heroine who has had her world turned upside down.
The Next Big Thing – M J
What is the working title of your book? Iron Kin (April 2013…not long : ) )
Where did the idea come from for the book? After I finished Blood Kin, I knew I had to tell Fen’s story next because he kept trying to take over his Blood Kin scenes.
What genre does your book fall under? Fantasy. More specifically gaslight fantasy or alt-world urban fantasy with romance (hard to describe but good ; ) )
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie? Fen is kind of a younger, taller Robert Downey Junior. Saskia is sort of Rachel McAdams (why yes, I did see Sherlock Holmes while I was first writing Fen..though Fen is more Iron Man than Sherlock).
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? See above.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? Iron Kin was one of those teeth pulling books. Six months or so.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I can never answer that question about these books…
Who or what inspired you to write this book?? It was Fen. When he popped up in Blood Kin I had to know more. And torture him a bit : )
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? There’s politics and intrigue and vampires, werewolves, fae, sacrifice, a ball and flaming daggers.
So there you go. Stuff I have done/am doing….and now back to the doing.
December 30, 2012
A year in books # 7
Time for the traditional wrap up the year with talking about my favourite books I’ve read this year. According to Goodreads I’ve only read 102 books this year between new and re-reads which is down a lot from last year. Plus another 15 or so audiobooks though those are mostly “re-reads” and I’ve listened to many of them more than once. There are various reasons and I’m sure I’ve left some off but still hopefully (she says very optimistically) there may be more books read in 2013 (if only because my TBR pile is getting large in both e and paper). But still, there were some awesome books amongst those 100…and here are my favourites.
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein Beautifully written, scary, funny and heartbreaking. Need to steal my copy back from my Mum so I can re-read with extra tissues. Not many books make me cry but this one did.
Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley I think it was Angela James tweeting about Motorcycle Man that got me on to Ashley. Slightly crazy, slight madcap a la Evanovich but seriously addictive. With bonus very alpha males who aren’t dickheads. I’ve probably read seven or so of her books this year.
Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan Lovely funny but angsty gothic YA with a set of very kick butt characters. Looking forward to the sequel thanks to the torturous cliff hanger ending.
About Last Night by Ruthie Knox (also Ride With Me) Witty, sexy, awesome contemporary romance that is just my cup of tea.
More Than One Night by Sarah Mayberry. Have loved all of Sarah’s books that I’ve read this year but I think was my fave for dealing with an accidental baby in a believable and making me all sniffly. Though special honourable mention to Suddenly You because Harry is the hawtness. And Her Best Worst Mistake because it was also made of win.
The Siren/The Angel/The Prince by Tiffany Reisz Hot. Damned hot. But it’s the intriguing characters that have sucked me into this world.
The Garden of Happy Endings by Barbara O’Neal Her books make me happy and hungry.
Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan Another YA with vampires and romance and an interesting look at what it means to be a friend.
How the Marquess was Won by Julie Anne Long JAL is consistently one of my favourite historical romance writers and this book was gorgeous.
Blackout by Mira Grant Fantastic conclusion to a fantastic trilogy. I don’t particularly like zombies, so anyone who can get me to love a zombie series is doing pretty darn well.
The Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow Another intriguing and different world from Lilith. Looking forward to more Bannon and Clare adventures.
Cracking the Dating Code by Kelly Hunter My other favourite contemporary romance author. Her books always rock.
What Goes Around by Carol Marinelli Women’s fiction full of difficult and very real characters which sucked me right in about two nights ago.
There. Some darn good books by darn good authors. Here’s to 2013 bring more of the same plus darn good things all round!
December 29, 2012
Contemplating
We’re coming to the end of an interesting year. Next year promises to be interesting as well (though hopefully more of the good type of interesting than the less good). Most of all it promises to be hectic given I have about four books to write and hand in. So this year, I’m not doing a big list of resolutions, just boiling it down to one thing.
Balance.
Aka write all the things while still having a life, moving the body, doing the refilling the well stuff and figuring out ways to make life easier while I achieve/do all of that.
So Balance is one of my words for 2013. Haven’t quite decided the others.
How about everyone else? Got any resolutions or things you want to try in 2013?
Photo by TarikB. Available under Creative Commons. Some rights reserved.
December 23, 2012
Merry Christmas!
It’s Christmas Eve here in Oz and after an eventful year, I, for one, am looking forward to some time to hang out with the people I love, eat mince pies, nap and write lots. I hope that whatever you celebrate at this time of year, you get to do whatever makes you happiest too. Also, here’s to 2013 being smoother sailing for all and, that any storms that may come our way are of the small variety, ending with safe harbours and, to quote Nathan Fillion, DOUBLE RAINBOW!
