ARRC17

Last Chance Country authors' raffle prize and winner

The Australian Romance Readers Association held a convention in Melbourne recently and I went along. Jennie and Lisa had been to the 2015 one and had had a fabulous time and insisted that I join them at this one. I'm a bit weird in that I like my own company, so I'm perfectly happy at home doing my thing, but I can socialise when I need to and when I do, I'm a joiner. I don't see the point of going to/doing something if you aren't going to put in your all.

The joiner thing clashes with CFS, so after many years of failing spectacularly, I'm beginning to learn where my "all in" limits are. I can help out, talk, do things...but then I need to hide, relax, be alone. And I can't do days of one and then expect to pick up with days of the other - I need to balance that by hours, not days. And I think I did a not too bad job at this balancing act!

Thursday and Monday were travel days. I was a passenger in a car with a 9 hour drive, but it was pleasant company and lots of chatting and hassle-free, so that was a good option.

On Friday I'd planned a day of writing but ended up helping out and this was fantastic because I met people, chatted and laughed, while we worked not too hard. I ended up helping out on the Rego Desk, so I met more people as they checked in. (This forced meeting while doing other things is great for introverts!)

I spent Friday evening having a wander around Exhibition Gardens and the gorgeous building and then got room service. A perfect offset to the busy day.

I was right for Saturday then when I listened to Courtney Milan's keynote speech (she was way younger than her prolific writing made me expect!), then watched the documentary Love Between the Covers. Quiet, peaceful events to stimulate my brain. The afternoon was opposite.

Me at the Book Signing

At lunchtime I participated in a Narratives Project, where I read some of my story, The Healing Season, to be recorded and used for radio purposes if picked up. It was supposed to be 5 minutes but it turned out to be longer. It was a very interesting experience and I was glad that in the past I'd (a) learned to read for church, (b) learned public speaking, (c) read to my nieces, nephews, and various other kids, and (d) done it on the spur of the moment so I had no time to panic!!

Our table for the Awards Dinner

Later in the afternoon I spoke on a panel and then participated in a book signing event, followed by a group photo and then the Awards Dinner. This all happened consecutively and I had no time to think between moving from one thing to the next. I fell into bed exhausted.

Speed dating room

Sunday morning, before the keynote speech from Kylie Scott, I chatted with an author I'd been too nervous to approach. Why? I wish to heck I understood myself. I considered her too good for me to approach, and yet she was gorgeous, fun, and exceptionally easy to talk to. Sometimes I could kick myself for being an idiot!

All I had to do on the Sunday was speed dating, and it was much more fun than I'd expected and by now most of the people coming to chat were friends, and not strangers. I then spent the next few sessions sitting in the audience soaking up the energy of the place, before listening to Kristen Callihan's keynote and then the closing of the convention.

What did I learn?

• If I balance active time with quiet time, I don't wear myself out
• That everyone is human, no matter how high I pop them on a pedestal
• That dreams can come true - you just have to keep working at them
• That the energy from a group of people with a common interest can be addictive
• That readers are accepting, regardless of what I write
• It doesn't matter if I don't fit into a specific niche or group; I can fit into the wider group and mingle
• Even if you think you're an idiot, just do stuff because it can turn out awesome 
• You can be a hermit; but sometimes you need an extraverted recharge
• Readers appreciate authors



Me at speed dating

• Acceptance can soothe your soul

2016 RWA Conference Report

Stamford Grand

I'm just home from the 2016 RWA Conference held in the gorgeous Stamford Grand in Glenelg, South Australia.

Glenelg Jetty at Sunset

I attended an agricultural conference in the exact location in 2002, and I loved it then. I think I love it more now. There are many more shops (eateries, coffee shops, plus general shops) within short walking distance. The beach and park are still beautiful. The Stamford Grand is still spectacularly elegant. I'm so very glad I went again - and my memories weren't let down one bit :)

I've attended the RWA conferences from 2009 - 2014, and each time I've overdosed. For an introvert who works at home, with CFS, being at a conference with 300+ is not the greatest place to be :)

I've always done conferences wrongly, and in 2014 I came home so sick, I swore I'd never go again. But it's isolating when you don't attend because there is no other way to get industry news. Publishers say things at conference that you don't hear otherwise. Early this year, I found myself incredibly frustrated about the things I didn't know. So I went this time, determined to do it differently and remain well.

Heart sculpture on the foreshore

Instead of jamming everything I could into a few days, I was extremely selective about what I did. I stayed off-site so that meant I had to go outside and walk in the fresh air. This worked, because my brain wasn't hurting from overload, my eyes and ears weren't throbbing from being over-stimulated by colours, people, sounds. And I wasn't always tempted to be there, doing something, seeing someone, talking.

I focussed on what I needed to do - I met with my collaborators (Jennie and Lisa) and publishers (Harlequin Mira and Escape). I spent time with people I 'work' with, look up to, or find inspiring. I didn't see everyone I wanted to. I didn't attend every session I wanted to. I didn't even attend the Sunday of the conference, and I skipped the late night parties (oh, how I missed them!). I skipped late night chats (missed those too).

Love this view

I think I may be onto something. Although, I've had some mega sleeps since coming home, and I have the twinges of a cold, I don't feel as zonked or washed out, or shattered as usual - that's a huge win!

I'm hoping I may have got it right this time. And I'm trying to think that getting to some is better than missing it all!!

Here are some photos of the fun.

Lisa, Jennie and I - taking terrible photos :)

Goodies in the Conference Bag

Lisa, Me and Jennie - celebrating with another bad photo

Last Chance Country in the Harlequin display

Me enjoying the Harlequin Author Party (Lilia Kanna took this for me)

The Healing Season & Agronomists

In The Healing Season, Alicia the main female character, is an agronomist in the Dulili Ag Store. I wanted her to be working in agriculture but running a farm was a little unlikely because she was young. I could have had her managing a property after her parents' death, but I used that in another story, so shied away from it. I decided that she worked in the business of agriculture instead, as an Agronomist.

I haven't been an Agronomist, except for a short fill-in stint I did, but I've worked with them and have friends who are Agronomists. I knew the job, I knew what they did, and so I used it to create Alicia.

I didn't think of the impact that has on people reading the story.

I caught up with a friend who had read the book. She's an Agronomist and she was so thrilled that Alicia was one too. She told me parts of the story (like when Alicia is surveying the paddocks mentally doing a nutrition assessment of the pastures/crops) where she became excited because Alicia thought like she did.

The story took an extra dimension because it related to her on such a personal level. It reaffirmed her job/life/thoughts.

I hadn't considered that before. Or not as a writer. As a reader, I have had that thought but maybe I haven't verbalised it or thought it through.

It was amazing to be shown how powerful a seemingly innocuous choice can be to a reader.

I know there aren't going to be scores of people in the rural careers I choose for my characters, and some may find the choices odd, but if I can validate one person's career choice by including their job in a work of fiction, then I think that is wonderful.

I want to write to bring an awareness and understanding of agriculture to readers. I was a city girl who loved the country, and went to work in agriculture. I grew to love agriculture even with a very green background...and a huge array of stupidity and mistakes! I love being able to share that love.

So, to all the agronomists out there helping with the science of farming - my thanks!

I'm in the spotlight!

Over on the Australian Rural Romance website, I'm in the spotlight this week. You can find it here:
http://australianruralromance.com/spotlight-catherine-evans-healing-season

It's a great spot to find all your favourite rural romance authors and check to make sure you haven't missed any books :) You know, a book addicts website!

Reviews & THANKS!

One of the 'guidelines' you get as an author is that reviews are for readers. There's some discussion about whether or not authors should comment/like/read reviews, or whether they should just remain untouched by authors.

I thought it was a bit rude not to like/thank someone for a review, so I thought I'd do that. But then sometimes people don't leave a written review, just a number of stars out of 5. What do you do with stars? Do you thank/like them too?

I'd heard that you shouldn't read negative reviews because they could be harmful to your writing...but I found reading positive reviews stopped me writing. No one told me that!

I wish I knew why they affect me, but I suspect it creates that 'am I good enough?' question. In my case, it's 'am I good enough to do this again?' If I write another book will people like that too?

There's something about creativity and insecurity going hand-in-hand. I put so much of myself and my deepest thoughts into a story, and that leaves you vulnerable to criticism. Don't get me wrong - I don't write true events, the characters aren't me, nothing in the stories actually happened - but I tap deep into myself to create each story, each character.

While I love receiving an email/note from a reader (which for some reason makes me happy and not scared), I don't go looking for reviews. I know they can help people pick a book to read. I know they're great for on-selling. I know I should be doing so many things...

So today I went to have a look and see how The Healing Season, Honey Hill House and A Heart Stuck on Hope were faring in the review (written review) and rating (no words, just stars) stakes. On Amazon AU, there are:
4 x 5 stars reviews for The Healing Season
2 x 5 stars reviews for Honey Hill House
8 reviews for A Heart Stuck on Hope; 6 of them are 5 stars.

On Goodreads, there are:
37 ratings, most being 4 and 5 stars for The Healing Season
49 ratings, most being 4 and 5 stars for Honey Hill House
73 ratings, most being 4 and 5 for A Heart Stuck on Hope
5 ratings, 3 being 5 stars for Last Chance Country. 

So, today, I'll be unable to write but I'd love to give a huge THANK YOU to all the readers who have read and enjoyed our books. 5 stars are incredible and to have so many blows my mind.

That people take the time to leave a written review is also incredible and many thanks if you have!

I'm quite blown away that my story could resonate with others. It makes me a very happy writer.

Many thanks for your encouragement and support. I'll have to get a thicker skin so I can check these out more often! :)

Interviews and posts

I have a couple of things up today on other webpages.

On the Australian Rural Romance website, I'm taking you on a trip to Tibooburra through time. You can see it here: http://australianruralromance.com/changing-scenery-tibooburra-catherine-evans

And on With Love For Books, Suze Lavender does an interview with me about writing and life. You can read that here - http://www.withloveforbooks.com/2016/05/a-dollar-for-dream-interview-with.html

Things have started to return to normal for me, so I hope I can begin to regularly post.

Library Talk

I'm off to do my first Author Talk tomorrow.

Nowra Library at 1 pm.

It's exciting as it's been on my 'wish list' for a while now and I can finally cross it off!

My talk is done. I have some photos to jazz it up if needed/technology allows. I've got bookmarks, pens, magnets, mugs.

Dymocks Nowra will be there to sell books, and Miranda will be doing that. I love the staff at Nowra Dymocks, they're always so friendly and helpful (as a reader) so I'm stoked they can come and support me as a writer.

My Dad's arrived to come cheer for me. So I'm almost set. Just have to get biscuits/cake tomorrow.

I'll let you know how it goes!

(And I've been saving all my energy beans for this. I've been knocked about by a gastric flu a fortnight ago and every day I'm getting a bit more energy, but man, most days I'm still struggling! Hope I survive tomorrow - then I can sleep all the rest of the weekend)

Thursday Thoughts - THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

It seems so inadequate. I should have words at my fingertips to explain any situation - but I don't.

What words can I say to let you know how much I appreciate your support - every single one of you. People I know, have known, and those I don't know yet or may never meet.

Each person who bought a book (electronic or print). Shared my happiness. Read a word, or the whole thing. Wrote a review. Told me how they enjoyed it. Shared something on social media. Smiled at my silliness.

Every time you thought of me and helped me achieve and celebrate my dreams.

I don't know how to say how special that's been. Humbling and exciting all at once. Thrilling and terrifying.

It's been the most amazing rollercoaster - thank you for joining in and giving me the ride of my life!

Print Release Day

Happy Release Day!!!!

 

Trasure Hunt

To celebrate the release of Last Chance Country we are giving readers the chance to participate in an exciting Treasure Hunt! Go on the hunt for the answers to the questions below to be placed in the draw to win a number of great prizes!

The prizes
We’re giving away a rare print copy of Last Chance Country signed by all three authors to one lucky reader!
Another reader will win a full set of the A Dollar For A Dream mugs. That’s four mugs – one for each of the individual stories in the series and a beautiful mug featuring the cover of Last Chance Country.
In addition to this we have more bookmarks to give away!

The Questions
1. Jennie Jones writes feel-good fiction with romance and a touch of ... (what?) at heart.
2. Lisa Ireland writes romantic fiction where city meets ... (what?)
3. Catherine Evans writes about Farming, Fiction and ... (what?)

How to enter.
Find the answers to the questions above (HINT: you’ll find the answers on our websites – addresses listed below!)
Send your answers to Lisa at lisa.ireland66@gmail.com
Please put TREASURE HUNT in the subject line!!!

One correct answer will give you one entry in the draw, two correct answers gets you two entries and three correct answers gives you three entries.

The winners will be drawn randomly from those with correct answers!

The websites
http://www.jenniejonesromance.com
http://lisaireleandbooks.com
http://www.catherineevansauthor.com/
 
Competition closes midnight (AEDST time) Sunday March 27 (Easter Sunday)

*****PLEASE NOTE COMPETITION ONLY OPEN TO READERS WITH AN AUSTRALIAN POSTAL ADDRESS****

Thursday Thoughts - my character development

When I started writing The Healing Season I didn't have a lot of ideas about the story or the characters - that's usually how I start, so I wasn't worried.

Jennie, Lisa and I had come up with our town and we'd decided to have a newcomer for each story. I immediately decided my local would be the woman, and she'd be a farmer. Jennie and Lisa both had their female characters as the newcomers - which suited me, I like being different.

And that's where the story started. I have to write to find my story and my characters, so I began here.

My mind churns over questions and ideas. It's sort of planning without actually planning! And this must happen before I start a story, although I'm often not conscious of it, but it continues as I write.

The questions I asked were things like - as a farmer, how does my female character work? If she's young, how could she own/manage a farm? That seemed a little too difficult to explain, plus I have another story with a young male farmer, so it was a bit too similar. Scrap that plan. What else could Alicia do that kept her with agricultural knowledge and a local?

An agronomist. In the local produce store.

But the town was small, how does it have a produce store? Maybe she could have a franchise and work as part of a larger network. Maybe she's always dreamed to do this...yet something's making it difficult for her. Maybe her folks don't want this life for her...but that seemed kind of odd...but not if she was emotionally battered in some way and they were trying to 'do what was best for her'.

Alicia and her grief was born.

For my newcomer, he had to somehow understand Alicia's grief. He had to be a deep enough character to see her, feel her pain and loss, yet never try to take that away from her. He had to be a friend, not a romantic interest. Why? I don't really know. That's just how my mind worked, and how I saw her accepting another man in her life.

I wanted him to come to town looking for roots but scared about the decision he was making. He had to want to stay...but also be reluctant to give the town his all. He had to hold something back, so that Alicia could draw something from him as she began to open up.

The lead male and female in a romance have to have personality traits that complement and/or antagonise each other. As a reader, to keep your interest in the romance, there has to be a push-pull effect between the couple. You can't read and just 'know' that they're going to be together - you have to question 'how' they're ever going to get together.

I'm hopeless at doing opposites who antagonise each other - I just don't understand that attraction and so I struggle to write it. I like sameness, but that can be quite boring because they do gel together so well. So my question became - what same values could these two have, which would also keep them apart?

Grief and the aloofness that grief can bring seemed to be the way to keep Alicia and Lachlan apart, yet trying to be together. Their friendship could be a slow burn towards love, catching them almost unawares.

As I wrote, Lachlan had all this depth and a scary past that kept coming out ever so slowly. He'd been badly hurt and poorly treated...but how on earth had he changed? He changed because he wanted to. He knew he had to break the cycle. He had to get away from his past. He had to make a decision to be the best person he could be and start fresh.

And Alicia and Lachlan developed.

I don't sit down and plan this first. It happens as I write. As I find the story and discover the characters, the words appear. It's an amazing thing, my mind. And just a bit scary :)

If you're a writer - how do you develop characters?

If you're a reader - what sort of character(s) do you enjoy reading about most?

My Day!

Happy Release Day!!!

Last Chance Country - in the 'flesh'

I got author copies of Last Chance Country today - and I am totally useless at selfies - but here it is, with me!!

Lisa's Day

Happy Release Day Lisa Ireland!

 

Jennie's Day

Happy Release Day Jennie Jones!

Print Book Announcement

The fabulous Escape Publishing and Harlequin Australia have decided to bundle up Jennie, Lisa and my books into print.

Last Chance Country will have all three "Dollar For A Dream" stories - Jennie Jones's A Heart Stuck on Hope; Lisa Ireland's Honey Hill House, and my The Healing Season.

I think I might have to stake out my local bookshop until I get to see me on a shelf!

Release date is 1st April (but it's not an April Fool's Day joke...well, I hope not! ;) ) and they tell me it might be in shops from 21 March.