Josephine Moon's Blog

Countdown to Write Your Novel & Bring A Friend for Free

The Countdown is On!

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Write Your Novel

Yes, it’s true! You can claim your spot in this year’s Write Your Novel cohort AND you can bring a friend for FREE!

Share the cost, or gift the whole thing to friend, or divvy it up like a lob-sided pizza share… whatever works for you.

WHY AM I GIVING AWAY FREE PLACES?!

Well, a few reasons:

Life is just better with friends by your side! (It’s entirely possible that I might still be a little bit giddy with joy after making friendship bracelets this weekend just gone while celebrating the release of Millie and Stella .)I ran a “Bring a Friend for Free” promotion for my Summer of Short Stories workshop earlier this year and it made people happy (which makes me happy). Also, I saw two of those people at this weekend’s release celebrations and it reminded me, again, of how lovely it is when we get to help others feel happy!Forming writing buddies, sacred circles (more about that in The Artist’s Way course) and accountability to other people is a BIG part of being able to sustain a writing practice. You’ll likely form connections even if you join in the course by yourself, but again, it always helps to have a buddy by your side for that extra bit of courage and persistence.

So how about it? Got a friend, sister, brother, neighbour, parent, grown-up child, cousin, work buddy or exceptionally clever talking parrot? Go ahead, make their day! Invite them to join in and let’s help you to Write Your Novel this year.

All you have to do is sign up for yourself, then email me with your buddy’s full name and email address and we’ll be on our way.

Jo X

Three Great Writing Resources

Gratitude for Millie and Stella (kids lit, middle grade)

The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Writers Festival (my workshop for kids)

Write Your Novel (hybrid course – 2 for 1 deal! Bring a friend free!

The Artist’s Way (creative recovery for all, 12 week course, live)

Write Your Novel & Bring A Friend for Free

Yes, it’s true! You can claim your spot in this year’s Write Your Novel cohort AND you can bring a friend for FREE!

Share the cost, or gift the whole thing to friend, or divvy it up like a lob-sided pizza share… whatever works for you.

WHY AM I GIVING AWAY FREE PLACES?!

Well, a few reasons:

Life is just better with friends by your side! (It’s entirely possible that I might still be a little bit giddy with joy after making friendship bracelets this weekend just gone while celebrating the release of Millie and Stella .)I ran a “Bring a Friend for Free” promotion for my Summer of Short Stories workshop earlier this year and it made people happy (which makes me happy). Also, I saw two of those people at this weekend’s release celebrations and it reminded me, again, of how lovely it is when we get to help others feel happy!Forming writing buddies, sacred circles (more about that in The Artist’s Way course) and accountability to other people is a BIG part of being able to sustain a writing practice. You’ll likely form connections even if you join in the course by yourself, but again, it always helps to have a buddy by your side for that extra bit of courage and persistence.

So how about it? Got a friend, sister, brother, neighbour, parent, grown-up child, cousin, work buddy or exceptionally clever talking parrot? Go ahead, make their day! Invite them to join in and let’s help you to Write Your Novel this year.

All you have to do is sign up for yourself, then email me with your buddy’s full name and email address and we’ll be on our way.

Jo X

Release Your Novel: Master the Essential Storytelling Techniques

Do you want to write your novel this year? (Or, you know, sometime in this lifetime…?) Then, let’s get it done!

Join me in this six-month course, starting 18th May, and I’ll take you through all the different elements of story writing, including building great characters, how to change points of view (and when you should and shouldn’t do it), and how to make sure the ‘internal wiring’ of your novel’s story will actually work and light up your reader with joy, shock, or inspiration. We’ll cover dialogue, pacing, conflict (what does that mean, anyway?) and how to set the stakes and then how to raise them.

Maybe you’ve ways wanted to write a novel but don’t know where to start (or how to stop). Maybe you’ve tried to write a novel but you got lost along the way. Whatever stage you’re at, I can help!

This year, why not start (or try again) with a group of like-minded fellow writers? This course is perfect for you if you want the flexibility to learn how and when it suits you, while still progressing through the stages together. You’ll have options to receive feedback each month, and the ability to watch the videos when and where it suits you. Then, jump in to the monthly, live catch-ups, while also receiving email support in between.

Join now to take the first steps to make your writing dream come true. Head to the Awesome Workshops for all details and bookings. I can’t wait to help you get started.

The Journey of Millie: From Dream to Book

Sometimes, stories and characters take many drafts and years to come to fruition. They’re like a friend you’ve had for 10 years who finally shows you themself in their ‘natural’ state — dressed in medieval role playing outfits. Other times, though, characters turn up like they opened the door, walked in, sat down and told you their life’s story. Millie is one of those. 

Roughly 15 or so years ago, I had a dream in which I was in labour and gave birth. I reached down and picked up a little girl who (in perfect dreamlike fashion), was about the size of doll, with long dark hair. She smiled at me and said, ‘Hi, my name’s Millie’, and I remember it clearly to this day. 

Fast forward a couple of years and I was pregnant. Millie! It must be Millie! But my little Millie wasn’t destined to stay. It was early in the pregnancy and I knew something had changed before the bleeding started. I lived in a tiny rural town and as it was still early enough (and, presumably, services were limited) I was sent home by myself to deal with the lengthy, unsupported and agonising passing. Time moved on, I had a baby boy, I got a book deal, I relocated to the coast. When my son, Flynn, was four-years-old, I was already contracted and scheduled to write big, adult fiction books, for years into the future. But I’d had a long-held dream to write children’s books, and I especially wanted to be able to get one out into the world while my son was still small enough to sit in my lap while I read it to him.

I committed to writing a terrible first draft (because you must allow yourself to write a terrible draft if you want to get to the good draft) and I would do it in 20-30 minute stints first thing in the morning. (I adapted practices from The Artist’s Way which I’d completed with a group of creatives 25 years prior.) They weren’t ideal writing conditions, but I had to do it anyway.

The summary is that over the next eight years the story went through multiple upgrades, variations, re-writes and changes in the cracks of time between my big book commitments. Now, to my rather excessive delight, I can share that IT IS FINALLY coming out into the world bigger, better and brighter than I had initially imagined it, and I couldn’t love it more!

Additionally, I can’t tell you how much deep joy it has brought me to ‘see’ my little Millie running around on the page, hanging out with ponies and puppies and chickens and her best friend, Stella, and dancing and drawing and reading and loving cheese and paella with her loving family. I truly feel like she has indeed come through me and now lives very much in these stories, right where she’s meant to be. I hope you love her as much as I do. And I hope you love her best friend, Stella, just as much, because it was actually Stella’s character’s energy that got this series up and off the ground in the first place. And when you meet both Millie and Stella, you’ll understand why.

P.S. I’ve told my now 12-year-old that he still needs to sit in my lap while I read him this story… Stay tuned for those pics!

Join the Fun with Millie and Stella’s Pony Adventures!

Friends, I am so delighted to reveal my brand new children’s series (yes, a series!) that has been eight years in the making! Please, allow me to introduce you to Millie and Stella, Best Friends Forever.

Millie and Stella’s very favourite thing is riding their ponies together. But gates are being left open in their paddock, and Millie and Stella are being blamed! Can the girls figure out who is behind the mischief before their beloved ponies are put in danger?

Join best friends Millie and Stella for a week of friendship, adventure and a little bit of mystery . . .

This is the first book in an uplifting and inclusive series that celebrates friendship, family, neurodiversity, creativity and a love of animals and books. By the bestselling author of The Tea Chest and The Wonderful Thing about Phoenix Rose.

And, yes, there’s a pre-order competition!

Pre-order gift pack prizes include:a one-of-a-kind collage artwork, featuring a purple hoof print from my Sparky pony (who is also a character in the series), dried lavender flowers from my property, and other floral features to symbolise the glorious ‘mindful walk’ garden at the entrance to Millie and Stella’s school. a postcard of Sparky and myself, signed on the back (and snuffled-kissed by Sparky),a Millie and Stella bookmark, andoptionally, if your young person would also like a lock of Sparky’s mane, I’m happy to provide that as well, but I do appreciate that non-horsey people are not always fond of locks of hair… If you win, you can let me know.How To Win a Prize PackPre-order a copy of Millie and Stella, Best Friends Forever (The Lost Ponies) before 15th April, 2025 (pre-order links below, or order from your local bookshop).Email a copy of your receipt (along with your name) to: submittojo@outlook.com 

That’s it! I will draw five winners out of a jar on 16th Apri!

(Limited to Australian postal addresses only.)

Write Your Novel

Have you always wanted to write a novel, but just haven’t found the right time or motivation? Maybe you’ve tried before and found it too daunting or you’ve got so many ideas, you don’t know where to start. If this sounds like you, then I invite you to Join Me on Sunday, 18th May, 2025, for a transformative journey where we’ll take your ideas and bring them to life.

I’m Here to Guide You Through the Process

Writing a novel can be a challenging task. It’s not just about stringing words together, it’s about creating a world, developing characters, and weaving a story that engages and captivates readers. It’s a craft that requires skill, patience, and a whole lot of creativity.

That’s where I come in. With years of experience in the world of fiction writing, I can guide you through the process of turning your ideas into a compelling novel. Whether you’re a first-time writer or a seasoned veteran looking for a fresh perspective, I’m here to provide the guidance, feedback, and support you need to bring your novel to life.

And…

Over the course of our journey together, we’ll explore the fundamentals of novel writing, from character development and plot structure to pacing and dialogue. You’ll learn how to craft a narrative that not only tells a story but also resonates with readers. By the end of our time together, you’ll have a solid foundation in the craft of novel writing and the confidence to take your work to the next level.

Book now! Places are limited, so be sure to secure yours early. I can’t wait to see what stories we’ll bring to life together.

What a delight to have met you and participated in your wonderful course. It was so helpful in many ways, and seeing the other participants once a month, hearing about their stories and nutting out our ideas and processes together was really special.

JK – Write Your Novel participant

Writing a novel is a journey that requires passion, commitment and, importantly, guidance from an experienced author. Don’t put it off for another year! Let’s embark on this adventure together and make 2024 the year you write your novel. I look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve your writing dreams.

Jo x

The Last Days of Summer

Right now, the participants of The Summer of Short Stories are finishing up their final peer reviews and receiving feedback and celebrating wins and making plans to write on. I just love this course. It is ‘the fast and the furious’ and it is the perfect way to kick off a new year, full of ideas, immediate wins to set yourself up on a high, and the perfect playground to try new things.

Here are some of things that made me smile this year…

One participant was certain she could only write 300 words in a week (our maximum story length was 1,000 words). ‘Okay,’ I said, ‘Do that!’ Can you guess what happened? She wrote 1,000 words.

One participant had never written anything before. She said: Thank you Jo. I’ve never written anything so your feedback means the world to me. I enjoyed the challenge and now don’t want to stop.

Another participant rediscovered her joy. I finally feel excited about writing again… This is the most engaged I have felt about writing in a long time.

Oh, my heart. These little (big!) wins, these moments of transformation and revolution and rediscovery, are exactly why I teach. And as any teacher can tell you, when you teach, you receive and learn. I am enriched so much by all the moments that made up our intensive month of creativity, bravery and joy.

Thank you, to all who joined me, you have helped me to think deeply, to question what I want to know more about, to continually improve my methods and processes, and to make more neural connections and interpersonal connections each time we’re together. I love our community.

Finally, and definitely not least of all, I want to say a huge thank you to Sarah, who has worked so diligently behind the scenes to make sure everyone’s stories and reviews have been shuffled and posted through the email boxes between participants as efficiently as possible. (It’s a lot trickier than it sounds!) You are my new hero!

Love, Jo X

p.s. If you missed out this time, The Winter of Short Stories (the genre edition) starts 4 August, 2025.

John Marsden’s Reading and Parenting Advice To Me

Years ago, I asked John Marsden for advice, and I’ve had many opportunities to recall it since. Given I was a newly published author in the country, and we were appearing at the same festival, it would be reasonable for you to assume that I asked him for writing advice. Trust me, I wish I’d ask him that too. But at the time, my writing wasn’t the thing that was worrying me most – it was my three-year-old son. His response surprised me.

Like so many writers and readers around Australia, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of our greatest authors. As an aspiring writer and young English teacher in my twenties, John Marsden’s work knocked me sideways. I’d never read kids’ books like So Much to Tell You, Dear Miffy, or Letters from the Inside – books that were real, gritty, deep, shocking and spellbinding. Then, I found the Tomorrow When the War Began series. To this day, I think about moments in those books, probably more frequently in the past year, with the amount of war horrors around the world, and the number of children caught up in them. I have often thought, I wonder what Ellie and Homer and Lee would do, or Fi and Robyn.

I clearly remember the agony of waiting for release day for the final book in that series – The Other Side of Dawn. As soon as my local bookshop opened, I was there. I got the book, drove straight home, and threw myself into bed and stayed there till I had read it cover to cover. It took me weeks to process the finale because John Marsden doesn’t leave you with happily-ever-afters. He leaves you with real, unfinished, messy, complex conclusions – just like life.

But on the day I spoke to him at the Brisbane Writers’ Festival, I knew I wouldn’t have enough time with this ‘rock star’ to ask and say all the things I wanted to, so I asked about my pre-schooler. You see, I was an avid reader, an avid writer, a communications specialist and English teacher, and I did all the things you’re supposed to do with babies and toddlers to raise enthusiastic, literate, happy readers. We read five books a day, we read in bed at night, we went to the library, we went to rhyme time, there were books in every room, there was always a book in the car and one in my bag.

But then, between the ages of three and four, something changed. He didn’t like books, anymore. He actively rejected them and alarm bells rang, loud and long. So, I asked John Marsden – teacher, principal, male role model, literary giant.

What should I do?

The first thing John asked me was if I thought I was pushing my son too much. That was unexpected (but upon reflection, likely a typical John Marsden response, I imagine – something along the lines of ‘the kids are alright, it’s the adults that are the problem’). It gave me pause, for a moment, and I considered it. But I genuinely didn’t think that was the case. I was providing all the things I was ‘supposed’ to do, sure, but forcing anything on anyone is simply not in my nature. I’m more likely to retreat, think about it, then try something else – in this case, asking John for his opinion.

John scratched his chin and looked off into the distance, thinking. Then he spoke a bit about his stepchildren – all boys – and how some of them were avid readers and some were simply not. He stressed that if kids weren’t natural readers of books, that our job was just to help them find the things they enjoy and are good at and to build skills – practical skills – in other areas. They would still build literacy through other avenues. He also said that if a kid wants to read, but can’t read, that’s a problem. But if a kid can read, but just doesn’t want to, that’s not a problem. The key is to figure out the difference.

But most of all, he assured me that my son would be just fine.

I think I expected him to give me a list of ‘to do’ points – a plan to follow, a thorough covering of all bases, the magic ingredients. But he didn’t give me that. What he offered was total acceptance of the situation, total acceptance of my son, total acceptance that I could let go… and my son would be okay.

Given the tricky, patchy schooling experience we’ve gone through over the past seven years, I’ve more than once entertained the idea of moving to Victoria to enrol in one of John Marsden’s schools. Failing that, though, I’ve had cause to recall our conversation many times – like a touchstone to remind me of what’s true. I’m deeply grateful for John’s advice that day because, of course, my son is just fine.

Vale, John Marsden, and thank you.

[A shorter version of this article is published at Mamamia.]

Last Hours to Book Early Bird Price Courses

Last call to book your place in the Summer of Short Stories or Write Your Novel for 2025.

Early bird registrations close midnight tonight, 30 November, 2024 (AEST).

Start your new year on the write foot. Join the fast and the furious in the four-week short story writing course. Finish the month with three short stories to pitch or enter into competitions.

Then, follow on with Write Your Novel. Over six months, we’ll coax that story out of your head and onto the page.

Let’s go!

Jo X