Today, I have all my family home (which doesn't happen so much any more) and my September book is selling well and I now have a first scene. It isn't brilliant but it is workable and that's all I need to be away and writing on this book. You know what it took? A change of occupation for the heroine! That gave me a whole new slant on her character, a new layer of conflict, and I was away. So, my life is kissy-kissy sweet again. I hope yours is, too!

Yesterday, I struggled with the opening to my latest story. Today I'm up for more of the same. This isn't anything new, BTW. I always find nailing the opening chapter the hardest, most frustrating, most time-consuming part of writing a book. It is so important to get right, seeing as how it can "sell" a book to the reader (not to mention the editor I need to sell it to first!) And getting it right is a tricky combination of starting with action and forward story motion, while introducing the characters and providing enough information so the reader isn't confused about what they're doing, while intriguing the reader with WHY this is so important so she/he will keep turning the pages. Oh, yeah, and if you can come up with a unique, hooky, attention-grabbing first line (or first page, or first scene, even) then you score extra bonus points! So far I have written ten novels and one novella. So far I haven't come up with an opening I really, really love. Maybe this time...although right now I'd settle for one I just like!

Today, I have nothing (not even the first line to my new book!!!) but I did find this cute piece of fruit. It made me smile. Hope it does the same for you.

Today, I was looking at the title of my work-in-progress. "Strangers" is derived from the original working title "Strangers in the Night" which pretty much described my story idea. Several months later, the story has evolved. It's nothing like the original idea (well, maybe, something like) and so the title doesn't fit. The thing that made me go hmmmmm is that I didn't notice this before. I kept calling it Strangers because that's its name, even now it doesn't fit. Sort of like when you name a puppy when it's all new and cute and small, and then it starts to grow into its feet (which you didn't notice were THAT big) and you realize that Muffy no longer fits. But you've been calling the muttster Muffy for so long that it's a tough job changing to something more fitting.

Something else that made me go hmmmm: recently I was brainstorming with the most brilliant Emilie Rose. I was having complete nightmares about the direction of this proposal. Like, I had this great situation and scenes so vibrant in my mind I could touch and taste and breathe them. But then the story petered out and I was having conniptions about how I could make it work all the way through. After much angsting, and much idea chewing, and about, oh, a hundred of Emilie's rapid-fire questions ("But why would she do that?" "But why is this important?" "But why?" "Why?" "Why?") and right when I was tearing my hair out, E. said: "You know what your problem is? You have all this internal conflict forcing them apart and nothing external keeping them together."

So, okay, this was more a duh moment than a hmmm one. My problem was the fundamental relationship between external (bringing them together) and internal (keeping them apart.) Why hadn't I seen that???

Later -- after the aforementioned Most Brilliant Emilie suggested I turn the first meeting around thus changing the whole dynamic AND providing an external situation AND re-energizing me -- well, later that night it did become a hmmmm moment. I pondered why I'd missed the blinking obvious. Was I so blinded by the bright lights and razzamatazz of my original first-chapters that I couldn't see beyond? Was I so enamoured with that situation that I couldn't see any other direction (or fundamental plotting problem)? Yup and yep and sigh.

Another hmmm discovery: when things go pear-shaped, it's easier to start over in a new direction than trying to fix the unfixable.

PS: hair torn out does grow back, right?

Today, I am home from my weekend away. Trip highlights:
1. I survived being driven around Sydney by 20-y-o son. And by "survived", I mean barely. If the uni course/professional career thing doesn't work out, we figure he could make a living as a cab-driver!
2. the yummo pasta/pesto dish my sister made us for dinner. (Okay, the company was pretty nice too, but I do love my food!)
3. in a nailbiting match that went extra-time and still ended in a draw, son's football team became joint premiers and got to hold the shield aloft. Go, Uni!
Now, I just pray that he survives that worst of Aussie traditions, Mad Monday, where footballers celebrate their end of season with much men-behaving-badly behaviour. Ugh.

Today, I am leaving on an away trip for a couple of days. The end result is watching #1 son play his football grand-final in Sydney on Sunday, but first we're driving #3 son halfway across the state in the opposite direction. One of the social events on his calendar is a picnic race meeting. Quick explanation: picnic races are a bit of a social event in the bush. Huge crowds gather to eat, drink and make merry. The socialising stretches way after the nags stop running. Most of the huge crowd, I swear, wouldn't even know there were nags running! Anyway, this particular meeting is at a place called Come By Chance, which is one of the cooler place names I've come across. So there's the question I'll leave you with until my return: what's the coolest/most unusual/funniest place name you've come across in your travels?

Today, we hosted a farm visit from our middle son's school. This is a special needs school, and so plunking a dozen students in a strange (as in different, just so you know that our place isn't strange strange) environment is never predictable and always...well...interesting. At least half a dozen times I asked myself why do we do this again? and the answer is a no-brainer. It's the expression on a little face when a child is hugging a pony or touching the wool on a sheep's back or sitting in the seat of a tractor or signing thank-you at the end of the day.

It was a glorious spring day and while walking with the group along our creek I took this picture of a river red gum. It's such a gorgeously gnarled old character and if I weren't so old and gnarled myself I'd hanker to climb it. Notice the grass, too. The drought is over!!! Anyway, the kids have gone now and I've kicked off my walking (and chasing kids) shoes. I'm thinking about opening a bottle of wine.

Or maybe I'll open another box of Tim Tam Balls instead. Whaddayareckon?

Today, I discovered Tim Tam Balls. Essentially they're small chocolate biscuit balls (how do they make those, do you suppose?) coated in chocolate. Here they are sitting next to my computer. The box is now empty. That's all I'm saying.



(P.S. I did buy another 4 packets as giveaways. Hmm. Should I give them away or should I eat them myself. Give them away, eat them myself, give them, eat them, give, eat... Anyone care to help me with this very important decision???)

Today, I have (for your viewing pleasure, but mostly for my own isn't-this-cool excitement!) that aforementioned Australian cover. My novella, OUTBACK REUNION, is the "extra" in Sandra Marton's The Disobedient Virgin and in case you're wondering about the excitement factor:
(1) I have been a BIG fan of Sandra Marton since back in my pre-pubbed days
(2) When I started writing, M&B Sexy (HQ Presents in America) was the line I targeted, hence...
(3) My first dreams of becoming a published author featured one of these sexy red covers!
So, I'm kidding myself that this really is my Sexy debut! :)

How about you -- have you ever dreamed of your very first cover? And, in that same dream world, whose book would you love to be an "extra" in?

Today, I was asked when my PRINCES OF THE OUTBACK books would be out in Australia. In case there are other enquiring minds, I decided to answer here. I believe the trilogy is scheduled for January, February, March 2006. Why the delay? Because the wonderful folks at Harlequin Australia are printing OUTBACK REUNION, the series prequel I wrote as an on-line serial for eHarlequin.com, as a bonus extra in a December Sexy! When I have confirmation (and a cover) I will post them. In the meantime, I am thrilled that the short novella will be available in print form and that readers "down under" will get to read it as an appetizer to The Rugged Loner, The Rich Stranger and The Ruthless Groom.

Today I thought I'd devote to the hero of my new book (out now in North America, hint, hint.) The Rich Stranger is the second of my Carlisle brothers' books. If you've read The Rugged Loner you probably remember Rafe, the one with all the swagger and lines. It goes without saying that I had a ball writing his book. It goes something like this:

When Rafe Carlisle, charmer, gambler, womaniser, falls out of the sky (literally) into her outback paddock, Catriona McConnell becomes his reluctant rescuer. But Rafe needs rescuing in more ways than one, and in Cat he finds the perfect savior and the perfect challenge. All he needs now is the perfect game of seduction.

Here's a little sample:

Cat was smoothing the bottom sheet and pretending not to notice the lingering warmth from his body when she sensed or heard...something. Slowly she straightened and turned and there he was. Standing in the bathroom doorway, watching her. Wearing nothing but the gleam of residual moisture from his shower.

She didn't think about looking away. Rafe Carlisle was, after all, something to behold. And she was, after all, completely beholden.

Then he cleared his throat and she realized how long she'd been staring and gave an apologetic caught-out shrug. "I brought your luggage." She moistened her dry lips and gestured behind her, to where she'd left his bag. "From the plane. I thought you might appreciate some, ah, clean clothes."

Despite that pointed comment, he took his own sweet time reaching for a towel and wrapping it around his hips. He seemed as comfortable in the altogether as she was in her Wranglers. That, she supposed, came with the territory when one possessed the body of a Greek god.

"Thanks." His big smile matched the body. Perfectly. "For bringing my bag."

She probably murmured, "You're welcome," or something equally asinine.

Or she might not have, since she'd become totally involved in watching him rake his hair back from his face as he strolled out of the bathroom.

Read the rest here and if you'd like to win a copy, leave a comment in any of my blog posts over the next few days. I'll be drawing a winner on September 20.

Today, I was working. Quietly. In my office in the corner of the house. It might be pertinent to mention at this point that my current book is not going well, as in I can't nail the opening and when I can't nail the opening I find it difficult (aka impossible) to keep writing. I return and chew over the opening scene, changing and deleting and rewriting. Anyway, this afternoon I'm brainstorming alternate openings and I have one of those eureka moments. I swear I was grinning and even bouncing (just a little) in my chair when outside, in the orchard just beyond my window, I hear the laughing cackle of kookaburras. Koo-koo-koo-koo-kaa-kaa-kaa-kaa, they mock. Until that moment I thought my new opening idea was brilliant. I swear, everyone's a critic these days!

(Oh, and P.S.: today, I am guest blogger here.)

Today, I found a bird in my bathroom. I also found a lot of bird poop. In the shower, the basin, down the wall and the back of the door. I mention this because the bird (a Willie Wagtail) couldn't have been in there for long (maybe an hour or so?) And it was such a lot of poop for such a little bird. (Also a vivid illustration of the euphamism "droppings"!)

Note to self: must remind husband not to leave bathroom window open unless he fixes the screen.

Bron's Bird Fact #1: Willie Wagtails (or rhipidura leucaphrys if you want to get fancy)have this white streak over their eyes, which looks like a white eyebrow. According to my dh's Field Guide to Birds in Australia (!) this eyebrow changes with a bird's sex/status/emotional condition. Not surprised by the sex and status differences, but who knew you could predict a wagtail's emotional state by its eyebrows?

This Willie has made itself at home on our veranda, by the way, and apart from using my bathroom as a loo, I'm pretty happy about that. I love the sound of its prettylittlecreature, mammawannakissya call in the morning. She always sounds like she doesn't have a care in the world but in future I'm going to pay more attention to her willie-waggling eyebrows!

Over the last day or two, a certain e-list of caring, sharing authors have swapped their favourite warm-up exercises -- you know, the kind you do to warm up your brain before launching into writing for the day. That's how I discovered that evil crack of games, Sporecubes. Today, I caved and checked out a minor diversion supplied by another friend (let's call her, say, Trish Morey, for the sake of the story.)

Here is the preamble:

She has flowing hair, smooth skin, languid eyes, and she's completely naked. Are we discussing here a star of one of the approximately four hundred thousand single-, double-, and triple-X-rated films out there, or one of the approximately four hundred thousand different "My Little Ponies" they flooded toy stores with in the Eighties?

That's what we're here to find out. Below is a list of names. Each name belongs to either a porn star, or a My Little Pony. Your job is to try and tell the fornicator from the latter. Supine or equine? New Wave Hookers or new-agey hoofers? You make the call.

Here is the website. My score? 3 out of 12. Which only goes to show how little I know about porn stars!

Today I discovered a new procrastination tool, courtesy of Anne Gracie. Anne, always kind and sharing and helpful, decided that she shouldn't be the only Spore-cubes addict on the block. Gee, thanks, Anne!

PS: While on the subject of games, have you done the jigsaw on my For Fun page yet? For the full experience, make sure you have your speakers turned on.

Today I googled myself, a concept that never fails to amuse me. Juvenile, I know, and my only excuse is I am the mother of teenage boys. They still snicker every time we pass a local-landmark building named Weedon Court, same as they did at six and eight. I rest my case!

So, I own up to googling my name on occasion. It' a way of finding reviews of my books I wouldn't have otherwise known about. I've also found foreign editions this way. And today I found a fan-site with a page of autographs collected in books, bookmarks, cover flats and photos.

And there I am, right underneath Fabio. Now there's something I never imagined myself saying...

Click here and then scroll down 8 pictures to see me and my (cough) new best friend!

Before I started this page, I dipped my big toe into the blogging pool at eHarlequin's Look Who's Blogging. And became instantly enamoured. Then I started my own blog page here and left my previous love languishing, sadly alone and neglected. (Aren't I just a shallow floozy? :)) Well, I have remembered my first love and today I posted about a Katrina effort that really struck a chord with me. Read my post titled Project Katrina here.

This weekend I spent in Sydney, visiting with #1 son who is studying (at least, I like to think he does study, sometimes, in between the many social activities) at Sydney University. As I've just driven home and I'm beat, this will be short. Firstly, I didn't get lost, not even once. (Missing the occasional turn does not count as lost.) Secondly, I didn't do any shopping (a good thing, since I over-shopped my budget on both conference trips.) Thirdly, my son's team won their rugby semi-final and went straight through to the grand-final in a fortnight. YAY!!! Fourthly, I enjoyed the college parent-son dinner, Sunday brunch, and meeting the girlfriend. All in all, a successful trip. Especially if I forget about calling the gf by the ex-gf's name.

Soooo, today's question: have you embarrassed one of your children recently?

Thanks to everyone who wrote and requested one of my UK editions. All have now found new homes and I'm only sorry I didn't have enough for everyone. For more chances to win my books visit Access Romance this month or Mary Gardner's Spotlight Contest and Recommended Reads giveaways. Oh, and I will have more giveaways of The Rich Stranger here, this month.

...remembered why I'd originally called my weblog "Today." Those of you who've been visiting and reading a while (yes, both of you!) might remember me musing a week or two back about whether a blog needs a name. At that point I couldn't remember why I'd put "Today" at the top of the page and in my navigation bar, so I changed it to "Blog." Now I remember that I'd intended starting each entry with "Today, I..." (Yes, my memory is shot, thanks for asking.) I might change the title back. Or I mightn't. It's quite possible I'll simply forget. Meantime...

Today, I received copies of the UK edition of one of my backlist. According to my contract, I should get three copies of every foreign edition "if available". I still get excited when I open these padded envelopes and see the books, even though I can't understand anything other than "that's my name, right there on the cover!" I get double excited when I'm in a duo with one of my favorite authors (how cool is that???) And I'm a bit of a collector, so I keep one copy of each edition which is why I really don't like when some editions aren't "available." You can see some of my foreign editions here.

All this is leading up to a point. I have a spare UK edition of several of my backlist. If there's one you haven't read and would like a copy of, email me with the title and your mailing address. I'll let you know if you've won!

I'm grinning like a fool at that label, taken from a review of The Rich Stranger just posted at Cataromance Reviews. Don't get me wrong, I'm grinning because I like it. And because the royalty thing melds nicely with my PRINCES OF THE OUTBACK, yes? Here is the full review, by Kelly Bowerman:

Bronwyn Jameson, unheralded queen of steam and one-liners, delivers a truly satisfying read in 'The Rich Stranger'.

Catriona 'Cat' McConnell was fighting a losing battle of debt and drought on her outback property. So the last thing she was expecting was the answer to her prayers to literally fall out of the sky and whisk her away to Las Vegas.

Rafe Carlisle and his two brothers must produce a baby or they lose their outback property. Choosing his Ex as the mother of his child, he takes off to convince her when his plane crashes almost in the lap of Cat McConnell. As soon as he sets eyes on her he know she's the right woman for the job, but can he persuade Cat of that? Will these two ever listen to their hearts?

The Princes of the Outback is an enthralling series that peeks into the lives of an outback dynasty. Bronwyn Jameson has married sexy, humorous one-liners with steamy emotion. I thought the original premise of marrying to produce a baby an outdated one. But as with the first book in the series 'The Rugged Loner', this second outing has managed brilliantly to make the plot sound believable and real. As mentioned I loved the snappy comebacks and the heat generated between the hero and heroine. I really related to the heroine; she was strong, gusty and blunt.

The author has really triumphed in bringing the reader a humorous, steamy love affair that appeals to all walks of life. I look forward to the next book in the series. 'The Rich Stranger' by Bronwyn Jameson, worth a read.

If you would like to win a free copy, email me with the answer to this question: where did "The Rich Stranger" whisk Catriona away to? The first correct answer wins a signed copy.

UPDATE: WE HAVE A WINNER. CONGRATULATIONS MAUREEN AND COMMISERATIONS TO ALL THOSE OTHERS WHO WERE SO QUICK OFF THE MARK! I WILL CONTINUE TO RUN SPOT GIVEAWAYS SO KEEP VISITING AND KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN.

I love first-sale stories and today I'm smiling THIS much because of not one but TWO first sales by members of Romance Writers of Australia.

Last night Fiona Lowe sold her first book after ten years of writing and learning and fine-tuning her craft. I love hearing about such determination and eye-on-the-prize persistence when so many lesser souls would have given up. Well done, Fiona. Congratulations and I look forward to reading your book, Pregnant on Arrival (Harlequin Mills and Boon Medical Romance) in 2006.

Now, I just have to share a cute little side-story that accompanied this sale story. Yesterday afternoon the redoubtable (and previously mentioned) Anne Gracie, replied to a post on our Romance Australia e-list praising some recent fabulous books by Australian authors (including her own The Perfect Rake) thus:

"There are so many wonderful RWA authors -- and fingers crossed -- many more waiting in the wings. I adore hearing about newly-contracted authors, so get cracking you lot!"

So, this morning Fiona pops up on the list to say she has obliged Ms. Gracie, in most cooperative fashion, by selling her first book. Gotta love an author who responds so well to the crack of that whip! :)

And just now, the list is hopping again with news of another first sale, this time an outback historical by Heather Garside. Titled The Cornstalk Heather's book has been contracted by Wings Press for a 2007 release. Congratulations, Heather. We see so few Australian-set historical romances that I know you will have a ready audience!

I love first-sale stories, don't you?

A wee while back news spread through romance lists and blogs of the win by a team representing the Romantic Novelists Association (UK) in a round of the prestigious TV quiz show University Challenge. (If you're unfamiliar with this show, we're talking seriously brainy.) In that early round the romance novelists defeated a team from the world famous Wisden Cricketers Almanac.

A report of that drubbing appeared in the sports pages of the Times on July 14 and included these pearlers:

"In a humiliation that will have been felt keenly across the world of cricket, a team representing Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, the bible of the summer game, was given the mother of all quiz-based kickings on University Challenge by a side drawn from members of -- of all things -- the Romantic Novelists' Association."

"...the Romantic Novelists were widely regarded as the fancy dans -- hopeless romantics, indeed. Call that a job? Whereas the Wisden team would be bringing to the table the rangy, all-encompassing worldliness that arises from following cricket more closely than any people on earth follow anything.

As such, one fancied the Almanack lads to get among the romance writers from the off and, in all likelihood, have their bodices well and truly ripped before tea."

Well, it wouldn't have been a report on romance novelists without a reference to bodice-ripping, would it?

Anyway, in news just in, and reported by Anne Gracie, the exceedingly brainy and brilliant romantics won last night's semi-final, beating the team from The Economist. (The words "thrashing" and "wiping the floor" may have been used in said report from someone watching the show!)

Now it's on to the final for those brilliant brains of romance.

Today I realized it is September. With so much going on lately, is it any wonder the changing of months (and seasons, even) slipped by without notice? Along with spring, an 18th birthday, Father's Day and school holidays, this month also sees my latest book go on sale in North America. I had a grand old time writing The Rich Stranger so I'm especially chuffed to discover anyone who enjoyed reading it. Like this reviewer, for example. And because she did such a terrific job of summarizing the premise, I'm including the whole review by Diana Risso, Romance Reviews Today.

THE RICH STRANGER - Bronwyn Jameson; Princes of the Outback, Book 2
Silhouette Desire #1680
ISBN: 0-373-76680-7
September 2005
Contemporary Series Romance

Catriona McConnell is horrified when she sees a small plane landing on her broken down airstrip. If the pilot is crazy enough to put the plane down here, he must be in trouble. In her old truck, driving on a prayer, and with barely enough fuel in the tank; Catriona bumps over the last rise and drives up next to a downed Cessna. She pulls the unconscious pilot out of the cockpit and manages to get him in the truck, back to her house, and tucked into a bed. She wonders what such an important man is doing here, on her station. He's drop dead gorgeous gossip material and a member of Australia's elite, the Princes of the Outback.

Rafe Carlisle is immediately captivated by this angel of mercy who keeps waking him up to check for a concussion. Patient and persistent, she's beautiful and kind. Now, if only he can persuade her to lose that flashlight and leave him alone in peaceful slumber! After spending a few days under Catriona's care, he begins to think of her as the solution to his problem. He needs a child, and to that end, a wife, thanks to a clause in his father's will that brought him and his brothers, Tomas and Alex, to some hard decisions. They have twelve months to produce an heir or lose their inheritance. Bucking the odds, they vow a pact to succeed -- whether it means one baby or three, they will not lose their empire. Rafe has the money and the power to solve Catriona's financial problems, and he believes that his offer of marriage is a fair exchange for bearing his child. However, Catriona isn't interested in all the clothes and baubles his money can buy -- she wants to save her land, but not at the expense of her heart. All it will take is one lucky spin of the roulette wheel...

THE RICH STRANGER is Rafe Carlisle -- the strong and confident hero, suave and savvy, caring and loving. He and Catriona are caught up in a battle of wills, each one struggling with their emotions versus their desires. Passion and lots of sexual tension go hand in hand as the reader follows their story from Australia to Las Vegas, Nevada and back. Rafe speaks of love in a language that Catriona hears as practiced lines. She wants to have his child, but she will settle for nothing less than his love. And Rafe is losing his heart to this exceptional woman, who is unlike anyone he's ever met.

THE RICH STRANGER is the second book in the Princes of the Outback series. Each novel stands alone, and this story follows brother Tomas's story, the RUGGED LONER (July, 2005); Alex's story, THE RUTHLESS GROOM (November, 2005) wraps up the series. Rafe Carlisle is a hero guaranteed to melt your bones. I know you will want to take him home with you, but do the next best thing -- buy the book instead!


Or, if you would like to win a free copy, email me with the answer to this question: where does the story move from Australia to? The first correct answer wins a signed copy of The Rich Stranger.

Today I thought we could all do with a great big smile. Isn't this one contagious?

I am a writer--a writer whose books are built around capturing emotional responses-- yet today I feel totally inadequate in finding words to describe my emotions when watching the telecasts of the damage and the suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina. No words can do justice. I have donated to the Red Cross Appeal and will participate in the auction for Larissa Ione. This morning I heard about another Hurricane Relief Fund to help romance authors in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama with their immediate needs: cash for food, clothing, medication, gas, phone cards etc. If you'd like to help the romance community, specifically, then check out the webpage link (Hurricane Relife Fund, above.) There is also a fund for helping pets displaced by the hurricane. By PayPal a donation is a very easy process.

Today we had some very sad news in our family and I feel old, heartsick and in need of a smile.

GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD
1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
2) Forget the health food. I need all preservatives I can get.
3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
4) Its frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
5) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.

L-R: Robyn Aldridge, Emma Darcy, Anne Gracie, Trish Morey, the nominees for the Romance Writers of Australia 2005 Meritorious Service Award. These women selflessly devote their time, effort and wisdom to help others, to enrich the organisation, and to raise the profile of romance novels and novelists. Love your work, ladies, and I thank you, plus all the committee and behind-the-scenes workers at RWA, for all you do. Every year.

And the 2005 winner is...drumroll...Emma Darcy.

For the past 11 years this remarkable woman has encouraged new writers to finish the damn book through her annual Emma Darcy Award, providing incentive, critiques, advice (and let's not forget prizemoney ;)) to the winners and placegetters, many of whom are now forging their own successful careers as romance authors. These include Tracy Cooper-Posey, Sandy Curtis, Fiona Brand, Yvonne Lindsay, Ashleigh Bingham, Nalini Singh, Trish Morey, Melanie Milburn, Laura Gale, yours truly, and, oh, I am sure I'm forgetting several people I should not forget. Please let me know if that someone is you!