A Moment With Jacqueline Harvey
My writing day varies depending on where I am in the world. When I’m at home in Sydney I usually work in my study. It looks out onto two sunny courtyards and across to the upper storey of a beautiful Queen Anne style home. Some days if I’m editing I might walk up to one of the local coffee shops and work there – I like to be around the hum of people depending on what stage of the writing process I’m at.
I start my day with a skinny latte but try to limit myself to one coffee, so after that I’ll have one or two cups of tea.
I’m usually at my desk by 8am and often work until 6pm. I’ve only been writing full-time for two years and one thing I’ve found problematic is my lack of movement! I have to make sure that I get up and walk every half hour or so. To that end I investigated a brilliant standing desk arrangement last year. It has a large flexible arm to hold the computer screen and keyboard so you can adjust it to a sitting position and then push it up so you can stand. The negative impact of sitting for long periods is frightening, apart from the inevitable weight gain, so I hope the standing desk will work for me.
by 
Writing Room: Party
Writing Room is our online writing group.
We post a prompt. It could be a first line, a suggested exercise to work on plot or characters or it could be about writing about a situation. Once you’ve written your piece, post it in the comments box below. Anyone is welcome to take part and it’s an opportunity to post work plus give and gain feedback.
Today’s prompt: Your character is about to enter a party where they don’t know anyone. Using only dialogue, they meet two new people – one of which they like a lot and one they instantly dislike. Where this party is, the age and gender of your character is up to you. Write between 500 – 750 words.
by The Rosie Effect Book Tour
Graeme Simsion plans second UK bookshop tour.
Graeme’s novel, The Rosie Effect is due to be released by Penguin on 26th February 2015.
The Rosie Project tells the story of socially challenged Genetics professor Don Tillman and his unique challenge to find a wife and how his life is upheaved when he meets a girl called Rosie. It’s sequel, The Rosie Effect carries on and focuses on his life as he settles into a big city.
‘The Rosie Project has touched the hearts of millions worldwide with its irresistible blend of comedy, romance and poignancy. But it’s Don Tillman – a truly memorable creation who can proudly sit alongside Adrian Mole and Bridget Jones – who steals the show and we are thrilled to be reuniting him with thousands of readers and booksellers this Spring,’ says Maxine Hitchcock, the Publishing Director of Michael Joseph
by Author Interview: Julie Shackman
Hello Julie, thank you so much for joining us. Can you tell us about your debut novel, Rock My World and how did the idea originate?
Ruby Cameron is an ambitious reporter for a local paper where she is fed scraps of news, and lives with a man whose “idea of living dangerously is to leave the heating on when we pop out to the shops”. But after catching her squeaky clean boyfriend in flagrante delicto she ups sticks and moves into her own small home, only to discover the ghostly presence of a cheeky rock star who becomes her confidant as the dynamics of her small town, and her feelings about her dashing new boss, begin to throw up more questions than she can answer. Will Ruby discover who she really is, and perhaps more importantly, who she wants to be? I love music, especially rock and have to have music playing whilst I’m writing and the idea for Rock My World just came about from that.
Do you cast your characters and if so, did you have someone specific in mind for Ruby?
Yes, I tend to! I think my dream cast for Rock My World would be Santiago Cabrera for Stevie, my ghostly rock singer. He’s very attractive and has stage presence. For Ruby. someone lovely and passionate like Natalie Portman and for Matt, it would have to be the wolfish Bradley Cooper with those eyes of his!
What’s your writing process like – do you plan, edit as you go?
I tend to make sketchy notes before I start and read over the previous day’s writing to polish it a bit before starting the next chapter. Then once I’ve finished my novel, I’ll go over it again a few times to see where I can improve it.
by Quick Spotlight: Real Monsters by Liam Brown
Real Monsters is due to be released by Legend Press on 1st March 2015.
‘Real Monsters is the story of two young lovers with a war wedged between them; a surreal and ferociously recognisable allegory for our war-torn times,’ says the author, Liam Brown.
It is the debut novel from Liam who is also the lead singer and guitarist for the band, Freelance Mourners.
It will be available in paperback and eBook formats. Click here to view the book on Amazon UK.
About Real Monsters:
We are surrounded by monsters. The lines are now so blurred, no one knows who the real enemy is anymore.
by Book Club
