Writing Quote of the Day - Oscar Wilde

'There is no such thing as moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.

- Oscar Wilde

Friday Fiver - 5 Creative Ways to Kill Time

At work

I tend to tune out at work with my ipod. I'm lucky enough to be able to be left alone to do with my work and do it with music. It makes the day go a lot quicker and allows me to listen to music while I'm at it.

Waiting in line

It depends how big the line is. I usually just check facebook, read messages or text or if it's a super busy line, ipod. My ipod really is my best friend.

Riding in a car/public transportation/etc.

I carry my kindle everywhere. If I am on a train, that and the ipod comes out. It gives me something to do. Either that or I will write notes on  my phone about chapters or things I need to add to my novel or write down novel ideas. I've lost track the amounts of time I've got inspired on public transport. Don't ask me why!

Waiting for your date (this can be anyone you are meeting) to arrive

Ipod and kindle. Really not much more to say on this. They are my lifelines sometimes.

At the airport waiting for your delayed flight to arrive
I hate to sound like a broken record but ipod or kindle and lots and lots of coffee. I get jittery before flying and delayed flights are the worst, especially if you have a connecting flight.

I also tend to cruise the shops, work on my laptop -because yes, I am one of those people who does take their laptop on holiday and do anything to waste time.

Writing Quote of the Day - Tennessee Williams

My work is emotionally autobiographical. It has no relationship to the actual events of my life, but it reflects the emotional currents of my life. I try to work every day because you have no refuge but writing. When you're going through a period of unhappiness, a broken love affair, the death of someone you love, or some other disorder in your life, then you have no refuge but writing.

- Tennessee Williams

Writing Quote of the Day - Stephen King

Let's get one thing clear right now, shall we? There is no Idea Dump, no Story Central, no Island of the Buried Bestsellers; good story ideas seem to come quite literally from nowhere, sailing at you right out of the empty sky: two previously unrelated ideas come together and make something new under the sun. Your job isn't to find these ideas but to recognize them when they show up.
- Stephen King - On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft 

Writing Quote of the day - Franz Kafka

I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound and stab us. If the book we are reading doesn't wake us up with a blow on the head, what are we reading it for? . . . A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us.

- Franz Kafka - Letter to Oskar Pollak (27 January 1904)

Author Spotlight: Melissa White

Melissa is both a writer and a very talented musician. Since 2009 she has been writing a series that mixes her love for travel with her love for food. 

She sat down with me to discuss life as a writer. 

Firstly, when did you realise that you were a writer?

I loved it when my mum brought me books back from the library. I loved record books, pop-up books- you name it- and an endless imagination from as young as I can remember. I was determined to learn to piece sentences together in my early childhood years at school and loved Enid Blyton books. It was between all of these moments and inspirations that I wanted to pursue writing, and became a master of it.

Do you have a specific writing style?

Not particularly. I like to let myself flow in the way I feel a story needs to be told. And each story is different, you know. Each chapter in your life for that matter and the books you read for that matter are different and I guess I go through the motions of these and stylize accordingly. Also it can vary from main character to main character.

Can you tell me a little about the current projects you are working on and what stage of finish they are at?

Up until 2009 I had been working on a novel which ties in my love of food. The heroine is much like myself in many ways, so I got to live vicariously through her if you may. She travels the world. I will start to bring her back to life again shortly as I embark on an overseas adventure to get the creative juices flowing. Other than that I have freelanced for a few publications, and for a few years was a regular writer for Aqua Pulse Magazine (based in Canada) and got to interview the likes of well-known swimmers Michael Klim and Stephanie Rice, as well as some great local swimwear designers such as Flamingo Sands, Seafolly, Jet and We Are Handsome.

Is there a specific genre that you prefer to write for, and if so what is it and why?

Not necessarily. I’m a very sensuous writer inspired by sight, touch, taste, touch and sound. The same can be said by many, but it is through sense that I am inspired to write- which means it can draw me in any direction. If I had to choose though, I’d say surrealist. It has a great limitless sense of provoking imagination and yet conveying many messages that provide food for thought- which is what I am all about in general as a person.

When did you start playing with the idea of writing a novel and what inspired it?

I was eight years old when I started playing with the idea of writing a novel. My stories had to have unique characters- usually leaning towards humorous sorts! They needed big adventures. But I also knew what kids my age liked so I did cutesy stories about my dog and other such stories with messages that we were accustomed to be read to as kids at school. I think I puzzled some teachers with the fervor and conviction I had at that age, a right nerd I was…some thought I’d copied my stories and writing from elsewhere. But I’d just become so inspired by other stories and books that I felt the need to try it out myself!

How hard has the journey been - both emotionally and mentally, on yourself as a writer?

I guess to be a writer one tends to romanticize, and at first I certainly romanticized the outcome of the fruits of my endeavours. The truth is is that you don’t necessarily have to be good to be well known and just because you’re good doesn’t mean you’re going to get opportunities all the time. I’m fairly optimistic, but realistic at the same time because over the years you learn that you really have to create your own opportunities, keep writing, freelance and nowadays blog- basically create a constant energy with your work so people will appreciate what you do.

Life in general can have a huge influence on the way you convey stories and characters. Sometimes the more you’ve bled, the more intricate your writing can get…that’s not to say that that should be the life of a writer, though- but having that experience under your belt regardless of what life is for you in the present, a few (or way too many) falls, scratches and slashes to the heart strings and ego even can really be channeled for use as tools of your trade.

Can you tell me what you've learnt so far?

The more you let yourself loose the better the results! So sit down with a glass of red and go for it.

Some writers prefer to write in the morning, locked away in the study, others at night. What is your own writing process and are there certain quirks you have that are uniquely you?

My favourite time of year to write is winter, because you want to stay in doors and keep warm. And I’m a summer person- how peculiar is that! There is absolutely something moody about that heater blazing, a hot cuppa, glass of wine, the thunder rolling the lightening flickering…I love mood. I love to write in a cozy, somber mood. And another great trigger for writing is music- for me it’s jazz that works my writing rhythms every time.

Which writers inspire you?

I’m hopeless when it comes to following authors. I tend to get drawn to stories more than authors as strange as that may sound.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging when writing (Research, psychological, literary etc?

Yes usually when I’m writing something that’s set in a period where people talk differently or country where I’m not so fluent in the language. But I see it as an opportunity to broaden my skills and knowledge as time goes by. The challenge though is finding the time!

In your opinion what makes a book worth reading?

A really poignant point of interest that makes you want to read on and on and on…

As a writer, the changes to technology have both open and closed a number of literary doors. What do you think are both the good and bad points of the introduction of e-books?

E- books…great to store all your favourite books on when traveling. Bad because frankly I love the smell of books, the touch of them…flicking through them as I read. It adds to the experience. And what if all of technology went down? We’d be scouring around trying to find the hard copies, right?

And last Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

In a happy place where I get to work on music and writing on a more full-time basis.

Writing Quote of the Day - Carla Iacovetti

To write well, one must utterly abandon oneself to it. You cannot keep secrets or hold anything back. You must spill your heart out on paper.

- Carla Iacovetti

Album Spotlight : Dire Straits - Money For Nothing

Have you ever found yourself listening to an album that you first bought years ago, and haven't listened to in a while? Did the memories of why you love the band, and the album just come rushing back? This happens to me every once in a while. Take Kiss' Creatures Of The Night or AC/DC's Back In Black.

This time around it was Dire Strait's Brothers In Arms. I've had this album in some form or another, since I was eight years old. Listening to this CD tonight, the memories just came flooding back. Not just the memories of 'Money For Nothing' - the very bad video-clip, which was very good at the time, but the memory of how much I love this album. I remember when I first bought it on cassette, I played it over and over and over again until my dad threatened to throw the cassette in the bin if I continued to do so.

So what's so special about this album? Is it Mark Knopfler's gruff vocals or brilliant guitar playing? (Not in the same brilliance that I would class Hendrix, Frehley, Vai, or Satriani, but it's definitely right up there.)

Maybe it's the memories of how 'Money For Nothing' was the 'it' video-clip at the time, despite the fact it was taking a major swipe at MTV, and mocking the way we are obsessed with an evolving popular culture. I think, perhaps, it is all of these things and more that makes this album so special.

Each song on this album is diverse and eclectic. From the Caribbean-feel instruments in 'Ride Across The River' to the sax in 'Your Latest Trick'. Then there are the much-used synthisers in songs such as 'Money For Nothing', and 'Walk Of Life'. Who, but Mark Knopfler could write an album in the Caribbean filled with such desolation, war, love-gone-wrong mixed with the blues?

Probably one of the standouts for me on the album is the title track 'Brothers In Arms'. From the beginning of the song it captivates with the thunderstorm opening, the haunting guitar solos and the whispery vocals.

As Knopfler sings an ode about ancient Scotland and war, there is a strong interplay between his vocals and his guitar. If you close your eyes, you can almost imagine them as one. The imagery Knopfler weaves is so powerful.

This is an album all lovers of fine guitars and even finer lyrics should have. It was the most successful studio album for Dire Straits, and it's not hard to see why it was also one of the biggest selling albums of the 1980's.

There is no point saying which song should not be missed, because none of them should be. Brothers In Arms has stood the test of time and is arguably one of best rock albums in history.

Listen to it loudly, and enjoy it. 

Writing Quote of the Day - Robert Frost

No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.

- Robert Frost

Writing Quote of the Day : F. Scott Fitzgerald

Writers aren't exactly people.... they're a whole bunch of people trying to be one person.

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

Album Spotlight - The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Thirty Six years ago The Rocky Horror Picture Show crept into movie cinemas and slowly took the world by storm. For fans of the cult classic, the soundtrack is an absolute must-have for their collection.

Since it’s release, it has been released in many different forms (Including the 25^th Anniversary) and tributes (The Rocky Horror Punk Show), and is still a favorite among musical lovers.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show threw a young Susan Sarandon together with Tim Curry, Meat Loaf, and Barry Bostwick and produced a gaggle of cult songs include ‘Sweet Transvestite’, ‘The Time Warp’ and ‘Hot Patootie’.

One of the aspects I love about this soundtrack is that, like the film, it was never to be taken serious. If anything it is a parody of the 70’s with its cheap movies, sexual tones and rock n roll stance. 

Tim Curry is simply brilliant in his smoldering, swaggering Frank N Furter on ‘Sweet Transvestite’. His sexual pomp could have given Queen’s Freddie Mercury a run for his money.

One of my favorite tracks from the album, no one can pull off Frank N Furter as well as Curry, despite there have professionals who have taken on the role many, many times. Curry made Frank N Furter….well Frank N Furter. It’s a role that he will forever be associated with, whether he likes it or not.

Another classic favorite is, what would have to be the most recognizable track from the film, ‘The Time Warp’. Always a party favorite, there’d be few who did not know the movies or who hadn’t danced it at a party (drunk or sober).

Patricia Quinn as Magneta is the real star of this song, and you can’t help but mimic her, as she works her magic.

 

You even have to admire Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick for their contributions to the soundtrack. Although both stars have no real singing talent, the soundtrack would be naked without them. Their characters helped to make the film what it was, so their songs on the soundtrack were crucial.

In fact Sarandon’s ‘Touch-a Touch-a Touch-Me’ is kind of endearing with its sugary vocals.

Another listen to is ‘Eddie’, which is performed by most of the cast.  There’s almost a rock feel to this track, and listening to it, you automatically visualize Meat Loaf in his role as the punk rocker Eddie.

It’s hard to name one song on this soundtrack that I hate. It’s just brilliant, and still one of my favorite musicals to date.

Ironically The Rocky Horror Picture Show was originally not a success, until 1976 when New York Cinemas started playing it on Saturday and Sunday nights. From there the cult following grew to what it is today.

It’s hard to believe that a hairdresser from Hamilton, New Zealand managed to put together, not only a cult classic, but such  brilliant set of songs. You can’t help but wonder if Meat Loaf and his lyrical counterpart Jim Steinman didn’t add their touch of magic to some of the songs.

A Must Have for anyone who’s a fan of the Cult Classic.

Tracks not to miss: You guessed it ‘The Time Warp’, ‘Sweet Transvestite’, ‘Touch-A Touch-A Touch-Me’, ‘Eddie’, and ‘Hot Patootie’

Writing Quote of the Day - E.L Doctorow

Writers are not just people who sit down and write. They hazard themselves. Every time you compose a book your composition of yourself is at stake.
- E. L. Doctorow

Writing Quote of the Day - Peggy Teeters

The only way to learn to write is to write.


- Peggy Teeters

Friday Fiver : Travel

What is your favorite way to travel?

I love roadtrips. We're talking getting in the car and going anywhere. Especially in summertime. There's nothing better than putting the top down, hiking the music up and just driving. I've done a number of different roadtrips and always had a blast in the past.

The other form of travel I enjoy is flying. It doesn't bother me. Mainly because last year I had days where I spent more time in planes than I did out of them. I figure once you've flown for over 27 hours, flying really isn't going to faze you anymore.

Who is your favorite person to travel with?

Definitely my partner. He's the best person to travel with for a number of reasons. He's experienced. He's seen the world, speaks a few different languages and makes the experienc more enjoyable everytime. Most of all he gets me.
What is the best vacation you've ever taken?

The best vacation I had was last year. I spent months traveling around Europe before flying to the States and spent a few more months traveling around the States. I danced in the streets of Barcelona the night Spain won the world cup. I ate snails and drank champagne in Paris. I got ridiculously drunk in New Orleans, partied like a wild child in Vegas and spent a whole day touring Graceland. I met some crazy people, a few I will consider friends for life and other's I'd rather forget but I wouldn't change it for the world.

In all it was a learning experience and one I'll never forget.

Where will your next vacation be to?

Back to the States. It's my home away from home and the plan is to eventually settle there. I just have to finish the novel first, get an agent and get published. Hey, no one said life was easy.

If you had the time and money to go anywhere you wanted, where would you go?

I'd go to Egypt to see the Valley of the Lost Kings. I'd go to China to walk the Great wall of China. I'd travel through every US state and write about the experience. I'd go back to Dubrovnik, Nice and every other place I fell in love with in Europe. I'd go to Russia....hell I'd go anywhere and everywhere.

Writing Quote of the Day - Scott Adams

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.

- Scott Adams

You say it's your birthday

Tomorrow I turn 35.

Looking back on my life, I'm pretty damn happy with everything I have done and seen.

I've experienced the kind of love every girl should experience at least twice. I've had my heart broken. I've cried more tears than anyone should ever shed.

I've had a mixture of different careers fom Journalist to TV Producer/Director/Webdesigner/Writer to Public Relations Bitch to Administration.


I decided when I turned 32, I'd try my hand at writing novels. I'm still working on that one. I'm ok with not being published yet. Being a writer is a career that can last a lifetime and will.


I've battled an eating disorder - anorexia to be exact. Ok, it's one I'm still battling and always will. I'm ok with that too. I've realised I'm too much of a perfectionist to let that issue go away anytime soon. I've also realised I'm too much a fighter to let it beat me.

I've gone to University. I've worked hard and have three degrees to show for it. I don't regret any of them or the lessons they've taught me along the way.

I've seen the world. I've traveled right throughout Europe, para-glided off some of the highest alps in Austria, whitewater rafted through Colorado and Austria, taken a early morning balloon ride through Albuquerque, New Mexico, danced in the streets of Spain when they won the World Cup and ate snails in Paris.

I've traveled extensively through the US -which is still the country of my heart and where I oneday hope to retire. Everytime I go back, I fall in love all over again.
I've lived in so many different places my head spins with each and every one of them. Some have been brief stays and others much longer.

I've met some amazing people along the way - each who have helped shaped me into who I am and some, whom I don't see often but are always close to my heart. I love each and every one of them.

I've learnt so much about myself in the past 35 years - some lessons I've learned harder than others. I've learnt that when the chips are down, I am a survivor. I can take criticism. I won't like it but I'll take it on the chin. And you can bet your ass I have a voice and if I don't like something, you'll know about it.


Some people see turning 35 as the beginning of the end. I see it as a new chapter in my life. One I can't wait to grab onto with both hands.

Where do I see myself in the next 5 years? Firstly, not just finishing the novel but getting it edited, agented and published. The second and third novel will also be in the works by then.

I see myself living away from Melbourne. Most likely the states. Home is where the heart is and the heart has not been in Melbourne for a long time. I do like the idea of roaming the world, but we'll see.

Yeah, I'll be older. But you know what? It's not the end of the world. Life is what you make it and someone once told me you should live your life, like it's the last day of it and that's what I'm going to do.

So, turning 35 is not a curse to me but a blessing. If I hadn't reached this age, I wouldn't have realised that become a fiction writer is what I want and need to do with my life. I wouldn't be who I am now and I wouldn’t have met the amazing people in my life.
Here's to turning 35 everyone. May you all experience it once...or for some people I know twice.

Album spotlight : Dolly Parton - The Very Best of

With an artist like Dolly Parton - one who has performed well over 3000 songs and had hit after hit, how do you manage to release a very best of and choose simply the best, without disappointing fans?

In Parton's case, it's to release Greatest Hits/Best of's every couple of year and hope it satisfies her fans.

Already owning more than my fair share of Parton Compilations, I was interested to see whether or not this Very Best of was any different from the others.

This time around, I was pleasantly surprised. The album actually does span her long career and capture the essence of her as a country singer.

On most Dolly Parton Best of's, there is always going to be the songs that are almost a requisite, so it was no surprise to find 'Jolene', '9 to 5' and 'Coat of Many Colors' but this time around you also get hidden treasures like Parton's first hit 'Dumb Blonde'.

'Coat of Many Colors', 'I Will Always Love You' and 'Jolene' capture the writing talents of Parton, who has penned nearly every song that she has written.

'To Know Him Is To Love Him', 'Romeo' and 'Silver Threads and Golden Needles' shows that Dolly’s talents at harmonising, and see her team up with country legends Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, and Linda Ronstadt during the 80’s.

The Very Best of, brings out old gems like 'Old Flames Can’t Hold A Candle To You', 'Applejack and 'Potential New Boyfriend'- tracks you don't hear much on Dolly Compilations but are always a treat.

Like all Greatest Hits/Best of , there are going to be the die-hard fans who will grumble about what should or should not have been on this album. That’s fair enough, but for new comers of the brilliance that is Dolly, this is a nice treat and introduces them to not just her bigger hits, but some of her older songs.

The Very best of defines the ups and downs that have come with Dolly’s music - how she has managed to rise up against all odds - and still be the most recognized female country singer of all time.

Tracks not to miss: 'Baby I’m Burnin', 'Islands In The Stream', 'Potential New Boyfriend', 'Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That' and 'Coat Of Many Colors.

The Journey so far.

I've lost count of the amount of times, over the years, people have asked me why I write and what do I hope to achieve from it. I've had people tell me to give it up. I've had people tell me it's only a pipe dream and I am not going to get anywhere with it.
It never fails to amaze me the amount of people who are not willing to believe in the same dreams I believe in. Nor the lack of support for writers. Not just from community but friends and family. My own family have told me it will not take me anywhere and I'm dreaming if I will make a living off it.

Doesn't that just make you feel warm and fuzzy inside? It took me a long time to realise that their negativity came from their concerns for my future. I don't think my parents ever thought I would throw away a Journalism career for a job that will free me up to write fiction. Although my father once told me I should give up on being a Journalist and study Psychiatry instead. It made more money, you see.

The stigma from being a writer often irks me. However, it's one I understand. I understand I will have family and friends who are always going to worry about the decisions I make. They will worry about writing consuming me and they'll continue to worry about me forgetting to do the normal things like interact with people who aren't writers and well, eat.

So, here's the thing. All of the above, are who I am. I didn't decide one day I wanted to be a writer. It was built within me. I've written more stories than I can keep count of. Some I have shared with friends and others I have kept private. I've written fan fiction. I've written original stories. I've written for television (I even had my own TV show on Channel 31). I've written for magazines. I've written for newspapers. It's what I do. It's who I am.

It always saddens me when some people ask if I am doing it for the money. The answer is always an emphatic, no. I'm not going to lie and say the appeal of being a world famous published author, making bucket loads of money does not make me smile and say "Hell, yeah."

I'm not going to deny that there are writers out there who will do it for the money. In fact, I can think of a couple I'm pretty sure have sold their soul to the devil to get published. They churn books out one after another like a well oiled machine. It sounds like a wonderful idea to be able to churn out three books a year, but then I stop and wonder how good the quality of the writing actually is. I wonder whether the plot is actually plausible and enough to keep the reader enthralled.

Of course, I'd like to make money from my writing. I doubt there isn't a writer that wouldn't love for this to happen to them. I'm not going to deny I have goals or that my ultimate goal is to be published. I want an agent. I want to be able to walk into a bookstore and see my book on the shelves.

But it's not why I write. I write because I don't know how not to. I have written for as long as I can recall. The first story I remember writing was 8 pages long and about the Smurfs. I was 6 years old. I have not stopped writing since. It's a part of who I am. It's as crucial to me as breathing.

I write for enjoyment. I write because I have stories within screaming to be told. I have characters within my head, constantly asking me 'What about me? When will you write about me? I want to be seen. Write about me NOW'.

I am in the process of finishing my first novel. I have written 95,000 words. That's about 287 evenly spaced pages. I'm aiming for 120,000 words. I'm almost finished. It's been a long process. I've written half of it and then gone back and rewritten. I've self-edited. I've been brutal and cut chapters I've felt have not been working. I've stripped it back and I've added padding.

I'm not going to deny I'm scared about what comes next. I have not let anyone read the full novel. I've shown people bits and pieces. I've had really great feedback. It's been exciting to share this with people. The scary part is showing it to an editor. One, who is going to help me reshape it into something spectacular.

It will mean listening to someone say 'Look this is not working' as well as 'I really like this bit but maybe you could add this'.
Editing is about finding someone to entrust your baby to and preparing yourself for some seriously tough love.
It's like standing naked and exposed in the front of a classroom and praying to hell your peers do not laugh their asses off at you.

There's always going to be people who believe this is a pipe dream. By all means they can go ahead, believe that. It may be an illusion to them, but to me it's a reality waiting to happen. I know I sometimes lack motivation. I know there are more times than not I lack courage.

Here's the thing though. I also know I am strong. I know I can write. I know I have stories locked within me just waiting to be released. I know they are stories worth reading.

Now when people ask me why I do it and what I hope to achieve, I just smile and tell them the truth.

Writing is not a lifestyle choice. Being a writer is who I am. I don't know how to do anything else, nor do I have the desire to.

As for achievements? To get published. To get an agent. To make a living from my stories. All of the above.

However, the biggest achievement of all is to simply share my stories and characters with people and have them laugh, cry, get mad and share all the emotions each one of my characters convey.

To a writer, the biggest achievement is the knowledge that their stories have made people feel all of those things and much, much more.

As a writer, it's the biggest reward of all.

Writing Quote of the Day - George Bernard Shaw

The road to ignorance is paved with good editors.


- George Bernard Shaw

Album Spotlight: Duran Duran - Red Carpet Massacre

Red Carpet Massacre was the much-anticipated 2007 return of 80’s rockers Duran Duran. On first listen the sound of Simon Le Bon’s familiar whine is present, although the sound is surprisingly different.

For fans expecting Mach II of ‘Hungry LikeA Wolf’, and ‘Girls or Film’,  think again. While the first two tracks get as close to the old Duran Duran as possible, the rest of the album takes a different turn.

Fans of the band may be scratching their heads at ‘Nite Runner’ and wonder if they bought a Justin Timberlake album instead of a Duran Duran one. That’s not surprising since he wrote, produced and featured on ‘Nite Runner’ and ‘Falling Down’.

The same can be said for Timbaland with ‘Skin Divers’ and ‘Zoom in’, two songs he wrote, produced and featured on.

The truth is, adding these two brilliant artists to a Duran Duran album was not particularly a savvy idea by the band, as their strong dominance complete overshadow Duran Duran.

Duran Duran seemed more concerned with being a hit with the younger generation, which may be one of the reasons they have brought in Timberlake and Timbaland. They definitely have some catchy club tunes, and replacing Andy Taylor with electronic beats is an interesting decision

That’s not to say I don’t like this album, I do…as long as I listen to it without thinking of classic Duran Duran. That, or concentrate too hard on it.

For those who are die-hard fans just take away the tracks Timbaland and Timberlake contribute to, and the distinct vocals of Le Bon are loud and clear.  The only difference is that these days Le Bon’s whiny vocals have been altered electronically on some tracks, and on others left well alone.

Personally, I’d say, to most Duran Duran fans and newcomers, save your money. Red Carpet Massacre is not worthy it, and certainly a huge disappointment for such a highly anticipated comeback.

Writing Quote of the Day - Samuel Johnson

It is advantageous to an author that his book should be attacked as well as praised. Fame is a shuttlecock. If it be struck at one end of the room, it will soon fall to the ground. To keep it up, it must be struck at both ends.


- Samuel Johnson

Free Books for Your E-Reader.

One of the highlights of having an e-reader is the compactability of it. It's easy to carry anywhere and you can have thousands of books at the touch of your fingertips. For an avid reader, it's heaven on earth.
Another highlight is the many free books available for downloading. I'm not talking about the ones that you can download from demonoid or other pirating sites. They're actually not free. I'm talking about the ones that are released officially by sites like Amazon and Kobobooks.

Downloading free ebooks allows you to discover obscure authors you may not have heard of - and we're not just talking about indie authors, but also represented authors. It also allows you to rediscover the classics like The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Great Expectations and other literature masterpieces.

With most free ebooks, there is usually a limited amount of time to download them and they will be ever changing. I always find it's a good idea to bookmark sites that offer free books and go back once a week to see what's new.

Here's a list of books that are free and worth checking out:

(Remember with Amazon it depends on the country, so please check to ensure that the price is $00.00 before purchasing. The same goes for other book sites)

Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels

Alexander Dumas- The Count of Monto Cristo

Samuel Taylor Coleridge - The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Rhonda Nelson - Double Dare

Grimms Brothers - Grimms Fairytales

For the romance lovers out there, Harlequin almost always has free ebooks to try. You can check out some of the latest free ebooks available.

Writing Quote of the Day - Harlan Ellison

Thank your readers and the critics who praise you, and then ignore them. Write for the most intelligent, wittiest, wisest audience in the universe: Write to please yourself.


- Harlan Ellison

Final Goodbye...

She stood in front of the mirror, staring at the image she presented. Smoothing an imaginary wrinkle down the front of her white dress, she took a shaky breath.

This was it. Today was the day she kissed goodbye to her past and took a step towards her future. It should be the happiest day of her life, yet she couldn’t shake the heavy sadness within her heart. She loved him. She loved him more than she could ever remember loving anyone. One thought echoed through her mind and it was the one thing that broke her heart. She loved him more than she had ever loved M.

She knew deep in her heart it wasn’t true.  She knew she had loved M with every fiber of her being and his death had almost killed her. But, here she stood, staring in the mirror at the women in front of her, and she couldn’t remember feeling that strongly; feeling as she did now.

Every now and then fragments of her past with M filtered through. Snapshots of her past with him- threads barely held together by what now felt like distant memories. Her heart ached because she didn’t want to forget him, but now she felt like it was all slipping through her fingers and he would soon be a distant memory; just someone she used to know and love.

She moved away from the mirror, turning to sit at the vanity table. Her eyes shadowed with the grief that still was locked within her. She felt guilty. Part of her wondered if he would be happy with the choices that she had made; happy that she had ended up with him.  

She sighed heavily. She wished she could regret the choices she had made, but if she did then she would not be where she was now. She had a man who loved her for her, someone who knew her pain, knew her ghosts and still loved her all the same. She wouldn’t give that up for the world.

But she still felt guilty.

She pasted a bright smile on her lips when her best friend sauntered into the room, holding her satin red bridesmaid dress delicately in one hand. She couldn’t help but smile at the ladylike behavior she was projecting. It almost made her laugh. Her best friend; since she was 19, Allie was never one to act like a lady. She did what she wanted and said what was on her mind. It had caused her a lot of heartache in the past, but today she was making an effort. She was doing it for her.

She dropped her finger to her right hand, gently caressing the single gold band that she still wore. She’d promised herself she would take it off. She had sworn that when she stepped down the aisle towards him she would not be wearing another man’s ring. She twisted it gently, reluctant to remove it from her finger. He had told her it didn’t matter if she kept it on. He knew that it was a part of her past that she found extremely hard to let go.

She shook her head. She had to let go. It was time to let go. So, why was it so hard? Why did the thought of saying her final goodbyes scare her more than anything else that lay waiting ahead for her?

Taking a deep breath, she pulled off the gold band, all too aware of Allie’s eyes on her. Gently placing it on the vanity table, she looked down at her right hand, closing her eyes at the pale strip of skin marking the 4 years she had worn his ring on her right hand.  She could still remember the heart-wrenching decision to remove it from its rightful place on her left hand. The hours she had cried over such a simple gesture of swapping it to her right hand.

She sighed shakily. She missed M. She missed him so much and in the last few months it had felt like the pain of losing him was fresh all over again. She knew it was because she was closing such a huge chapter on her life.  Saying goodbye had never been easy for her. In most cases, she had always ensured that she had left before she could but with M’s death, she hadn’t had the chance to walk away. She hadn’t given it a second thought. Instead of her walking away, it had been M that had disappeared forever without either of them getting the chance to say their final goodbyes. It was something that weighed heavily on her mind.

She knew most men would be worried. Most men would not accept that her feelings still run deep and her grief was still fresh but he was different. He had promised her that they would never spend a night apart whenever they had the chance to be together and he had vowed that the night before their wedding day they would break with tradition and spend it together.  He always knew what she was thinking and feeling. Sometimes it annoyed her that he was that it tune with her every thought and emotion but at the same time it left her with a calamity – he eased her pain, her anxiety and every single one of her fears.

Taking a deep breath, she vowed she would be different this time. Less fearful of the future, less unsure of what lay ahead and she would be stronger than she had ever been.

Lifting her head, she tilted it towards the sky.

Today was her wedding day…

First Kiss

They were just friends. She kept telling herself. The chant ran through her head over and over again, as she watched him, inconspicuously, beneath swept eyelashes.

Watching him lean back on the couch, his body relaxed and a smile curved on his lips, she closed her eyes shakily. Opening them again, her eyes were drawn to his mouth. 

She wondered what it would be like to feel his lips against her. What would it feel like to have his mouth moulding hers, his tongue thrusting…She shook her head, wishing she could banish the thoughts running through her mind.

Inwardly she groaned. Why now? Why was she feeling all those intense desire? Taking a gulp of the wine, her grip on the glass stem was so tight; she wouldn’t have been surprised if she had broken it.
Her body hummed with feelings she hadn’t felt for in a long time. She moved restlessly against where she sat on her side of the couch, her eyes returning to the movie. 

She couldn’t prevent the sigh that escaped from her, at the absent touch of his hand rubbing against her leg. Tearing her eyes from the movie again, she studied their positions. She sat on one side of the couch and he sat on the other. He had his legs stretched out in front of him, resting solidly on the coffee table. Her legs were resting across his. It was a move that they had repeated time and time again, but usually in closer proximity. She didn’t know what it was about tonight, but she knew that something was different. She wished she know what.
She just knew she was more aware of the man sitting beside her than she had ever been in her life. And she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. Suddenly she liked what she saw and she didn’t know what to do.

Her eyes skimmed over his face, her lips curving into a smile at the enjoyment he was getting from the slapstick comedy. She could still remember the first time she saw him. Her first impressions of him had been less than desirable. He had been too intense, too larger than life and he'd terrified her. She’d found herself uncomfortable in his presence, filling out the lapses of silence with endless chatter. Anything to avoid the way he watched her, a secret smile on his lips, as if he knew something she didn’t and found it amusing. 

Unable to help herself, she let her gaze slide from his face to his body. He had a killer body. She’d always liked looking at him. He was all lean muscle. But it wasn’t just the outside that drew her to him. It was his inner beauty. 

After she had lost the man who had been the love of her life, he had been there. He had held her up when she was down. He had let her cry on him when she had just needed to cry. He had supported her through every insane decision she had made. He had listened to her tentative decision to date again; let her voice her fears that she was making the right choice.

He had gone from being a man who left her on edge; too aware of him and not yet willing to understand why, to becoming her confidante; a man she could speak to easily about anything and everything. She didn’t want to lose that. She couldn’t lose that. 

She closed her eyes again. This was why she had to stop thinking about him that way. She had to stop wondering what it would feel like to have his mouth on hers, his body on hers. Every dirty fantasy that played out in her mind could never become a reality. She could not risk losing what they had together. He was her best friend. He was the only one who understood the pain and who could keep the demons at bay.

Her heart constricted at the thought of losing all of this. Risking it all and gaining nothing in return but a moment of craziness was just not worth it. She couldn’t even begin to think of the ramifications if it ended badly for both of them.

She frowned, her attention straying towards the movie. She was letting her thoughts get ahead of her. He didn’t even want her that way. He would never seen her anyway other than what she really was- a family connection and a friend.

She smiled when she felt him lace his fingers through hers, looking at him. Her smile faltered when she realized he was watching her, his expression hooded. She’d noticed him watching her a lot lately. She wondered what he was thinking. The thought slipped out and he just smiled at her. 

It was a smile she recognized well. The- I know but I am not going to tell you-smile. She always had the urge to wipe that smile off his face. She briefly thought of the ways she could do so before closing her eyes again. She needed to get laid. That was the only reason she was thinking the way she was. It was why she’d suddenly developed a healthy interest in his body. That was it. It had nothing to do with the fact he was gorgeous. 

She was startled out of her reverie, when he leant over and pulled her closer to him. She tried to ignore her pounding heart, as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. 

Those attracted to one another did not kiss the top of one’s head, an act that resembled of a parent to a child. It did nothing to soothe her raging hormones. It was bad enough she had the sudden urge to pounce on him and ravage him on the spot. Tilting her head, she closed her eyes when he rested his chin on the top of her head, his fingers sliding soothingly down her spine. 

She had drunk way too much wine tonight, she conceded. That was the real reason her head was spinning. Feeling him move, she opened her eyes, tilting her head even more and her lips opening slightly when she realized she was staring straight into his eyes and there was no mistaking what she could read there.

Desire. 

She gulped; her mouth dry even as she realized he was going to kiss her. Seconds later she felt his mouth on hers and she knew nothing was going to be the same between them ever again.

Writing Quote of the Day - Mark Twain

Get you facts first, and then you can distort 'em as you please


- Mark Twain 

Album Spotlight: Marilyn Manson - Eat Me, Drink Me

Marilyn Manson hit the headlines in 2007 for all the wrong reasons. A divorce, a relationship with the much younger actress Evan Rachel Wood, and an art opening set the scene for the release of Eat Me, Drink Me, which was his first studio album in four years.

How times have changed for the singer who once was headline news for his controversial behavior, outrageous comments, and live performances. After the success of MechanicalAnimals everything seemed to go downhill for Manson. The music became predictable, and he became a tad cliched. 

Eat Me, Drink Me sees Manson steering away from the over-produced, highly-glossed studio albums and back to basics. Recorded in his home studio with only bassist Tim Skold, Manson delivers his most personal statement yet with Eat Me, Drink Me. Completely stripped down, each track is so raw that there is almost an unplugged feel to the album. While his previous attempts since Mechanical Animals have had more filler than substance, each track on Eat Me, Drink Me stands alone.

Manson is well known for his outstanding covers such as 'Sweet Dreams' and 'Tainted Love', but one thing that can never be doubted is his own lyrical talents. Whether it is Manson infusing his own feelings of pain, anger, hurt, love, or hatred into his songs, or just the uncanny ability to write extremely well on these topics, it has saved him from seeing as another cliched has-been.

Whether it is the militant-rhythmic 'The Red Carpet Grave', the blustering guitar-leaden 'You AndMe And The Devil Makes 3”' , the Lolita-Style 'Heart-Shaped Glasses”' or the heart-felt “If I was your vampire”, they are all songs that are worthy.

Add guitar-soaring solos, catchy hooks, and a consistency and earnestness that has been lacking on previous albums, and you have Marilyn Manson in top form. 

A Bonus for Australian fans are the two, heart-thumping remixes of his first single, “Heart-Shaped Glasses”.

Writing Quote of the Day - Louis L'Amour

If you’re going to be a writer, the first essential is just to write. Do not wait for an idea. Start writing something and the ideas will come. You have to turn the faucet on before the water starts to flow.


- Louis L’Amour

Friday Fiver - 'Tis the Season

What’s your favorite holiday album?

My favorite Christmas album at the moment, is Michael Buble's Christmas album. I'm a sucker for Buble as it is, and Christmas songs delivered in smooth, elegant way is more than enough to make me go *squee*.

What song’s lyrics, title, or theme best expresses the positive aspects of your general mood at this time of year?

Band Aid's  'Do They Know It's Christmas?' highlights everything that is Christmas to me. It's not about gifts or the commercialised bullcrap that we are forced down our throats. It's about forgiveness, charity, family, and taking time out of your every day  life to help out those who are in need.

What song’s lyrics, title, or theme best expresses the not-so-positive aspects of your general mood at this time of year?

Bob River's Parking Spaces. I loathe Christmas time for shopping alone. I am not a huge fan of shopping malls as it is but I find at Christmas time they are worse than usual. You get the people who think they have the right to ram you with their prams. The people who think they can push in front of you in lines, or those who don't understand that Christmas time doesn't mean you can forget your manner. It's a time where people overspend on items that they can ill afford and parking spaces are hard to find.

What’s your favorite song about a non-December holiday?

I don't really listen to any other holiday music.

What holiday song makes you want to cover your ears and flee?

Try the whole Christmas album by Bob Dylan. Nothing horrified me more than having to sit through Bob Dylan singing Christmas songs. No one should be subjected to that. Bob, sold out the year he made that album.

Writing Quote of the Day - Cormac McCarthy

I never had any doubts about my abilities. I knew I could write. I just had to figure out how to eat while doing this.


- Cormac McCarthy

5 Non-Alcoholic Christmas Drinks

Christmas is approaching fast. You’ve got all your gifts brought, your tree up and you’re starting to organize one of your famous (or maybe infamous) Christmas parties.

You’ve already got the liquor cabinet stocked and ready but you’re scrambling your brains about what to do for the friends of yours that won’t be drinking.

It’s always a great idea to serve a variety of different non-alcoholic drinks and it doesn’t need to be just soft drinks, coffee or tea.  Below are 10 non-alcoholic drinks that will appeal to not just the designated driver or someone looking for a tasty drink without the side effects of alcohol.

Mock Champagne Punch:

Ingredients:

1 Litre chilled sparkling mineral water

1 litre chilled ginger ale

3 cups chilled white grape juice

Preparation:

In a large glass jug or carafe, combine sparkling water, ginger ale and grape juice. Serve immediately in champagne flutes.

Non-Alcoholic Punch

Ingredients:

1 litre pineapple juice

1 litre apricot or mango juice

175ml Lime Juice Cordial

2 Litres sparkling lemonade

Preparation:

In a punchbowl, combine the pineapple juice with apricot or mango juice and lime cordial. Add the chilled sparkling lemonade and serve.

Magic island

Ingredients

75ml pressed pineapple juice

25ml pressed pink grapefruit juice

25ml coconut cream

Dash single cream

1 tsp grenadine

Preparation

Put all ingredients into a blender and blend together with crushed ice. Serve in large wine goblets.
Alternatively instead of using pink grapefruit juice, you can use apple juice.

Virgin Mimosa

Splenda or Sugar

¼ cup sparkling cider

¼ cup fresh orange juice

½ lemon (juice only)

1 lemon zest

Preparation

Pour the sugar into a saucer. Wet the rim a champagne glass and press glass upside down into the sugar, therefore frosting the rim. Pour the cider, orange juice and lemon juice into the glass. Garnish with lemon zest.

Christmas Smoothie (will serve 2)

Ingredients

10 chopped strawberries
1 large banana (chopped into 4)
1/4 honeydew melon
3-4 mint leaves (optional)
4 ice-cubes

Preparation:

Place strawberries, raspberries, yoghurt, milk, syrup and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth and frothy. Pour into glasses and serve.

Non- alcoholic Christmas buttered rum (12-24 servings)

Ingredients

1 cup of butter, softened

½ cup brown sugar

½ sifting powdered sugar

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 pt Vanilla ice cream, softened

1 teaspoon rum flavoring

Preparation

Cream together the butter, sugars, nutmeg, cinnamon and rum flavoring with an electric mixer. Blend in the vanilla ice-cream. Turn into a freezer container, seal and freeze it.

When ready to serve, spoon 2-4 tablespoons of mixture into a mug. Add ½ cup of boiling water. Stir well and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Eggnog (serves 12)

Ingredients:

4 cups of milk

6 eggs

¼ cup of Sugar

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Preparation

Whisk the eggs and sugar together in a saucepan. Using 2 cups of milk, heat the ingredients over a low heat until it reaches 160 degrees. (To check the mixture is at correct heat, test with a metal spoon. If the mixture evenly coats the back of the spoon, it has reached this point).

Remove from heat then add the remaining milk and vanilla. Whisk all ingredients together again and refrigerate for four hours. Serve chilled and garnish with cinnamon or nutmeg.

Beleini

Ingredients:

1 tablespoons of white peach puree

1 bottle of sparkling juice/non-alcoholic champagne

Preparation

Place 1 tablespoon of white peach puree into the bottom of a Champagne glass. Fill the glass with sparkling juice or non-alcoholic champagne. Serve Chilled.

Cranberry Punch

Ingredients

4 cups of Cranberry Juice

1 ½ cups of granulated sugar

4 cups of pineapple juice

1 tablespoon almond extract

4 cups of ginger ale or ginger beer

Preparation:

Combine the cranberry juice, sugar, pineapple juice and almost extract and mix with a whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved. Chill in the fridge for an hour.

Add the ginger ale or ginger beer just before serving the drink.

Wassail

Ingredients:

8 cups of apple cider

2 whole oranges

2 whole lemons

1 tablespoon ground cloves

1 tablespoon ground allspice

2 whole cinnamon sticks

4 cups of water

1 cup granulated sugar

Preparation:

Bring water to a boil. Slice the lemons and oranges in half, squeeze the juice into a separate bowl and toss the remainders of the citrus into the boiling water.

Add cloves, allspice and cinnamons to the water and leave to simmer on low for an hour.

Remove the citrus rind and pulp, add apple cider and bring to a slow boil. Remove from the heat and add orange juice, lemon juice and sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Keep the Wassail warm by leaving on a low simmer. Be sure to stir often to avoid it burning.