I only re-sparked my passion in writing a couple of years ago when I moved to my lovely country town outside of Canberra. Long cold winters by the fire provided plenty of time and ambience to work on my manuscripts.
It's no coincidence that my character (Kitty Walker) finds herself moving to a small country town in DOG SHOW DETECTIVE. I wanted to share the awe of driving pass cows in the morning, something that only a city-raised kid could understand.
The kids in my high school have been great inspiration for me too, country kids have a certain quirkiness and brashness that is endearing. I've been lucky enough to have a great writers centre not too far off in Canberra (ACT Writers) and many of you know I attend workshops religiously.
If this were a story it'd be time to shake things up. So we will.
Twice now I've flown up to Brisbane when the annual CYA Writers Conference, and I've made some good friends. So, although I hate change (here comes the inciting incident), when hubby was offered a position he really wanted at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, I wasn't too horrified.
I'll miss the cows, the country kids and the wide spaces, but I'll love being close to my dad (also a budding writer) and joining in the writing activities with Queensland Writers Centre (I've become a member already!). I can't wait to find a critique group to join too :)
My plan next year is to cut back on my teaching hours and step up my writing schedule. I is gunna be a real writer!
Do you (will you) and your dad exchange manuscripts? :)
ReplyDeleteChange can be a bit scary, but very exciting too :-)
ReplyDeleteSometimes we need a bit of change to mix things up and get the creative juices flowing. Sounds like a great idea!
ReplyDeleteMy main part of the book went thru at least 5 facelifts, but it is the best part!
ReplyDeleteChange is also a great inspiration....
ReplyDeleteChange can be so good! I bet this one inspires you to fabulous new heights!
ReplyDeleteIt will be fun to follow along with you on your fresh start. (Thinking longingly of an uninterrupted day or so writing by the fire...)
ReplyDeleteNot easy, but change can often bring us a whole boat load of new inspiration. Wishing you a great transition :)
ReplyDeleteMake that double what Joanna said.... and I would love to sit by the fireside with a glass of wine, writing...mmmm sounds nice.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for dropping by my blog.
Good plan, Charmaine. Everytime I go to Canberra for work, it's either raining for very cold. So I prefer to stay in Sydney.
ReplyDeleteEvery Savage Can Reproduce
Them cows 's gunna miss ya morning greetin's.
ReplyDeleteI hope the change brings a lot of luck.
A change is as good as a holiday. Welcome back to holiday state central! It'll be good having you here Charmaine. PS QLD has cows too...used to hang out in Queen Street Mall...
ReplyDeleteHi Charmaine, dog & cat detectives, that sounds awesome! I teach too, and I only teach part-time for that very reason. Need writing time!
ReplyDeleteQueensland has the best writing community of all Australia too. They are the most advanced in terms of tech and adjusting to the recent changes within the publishing world. It will be a great move for you, I think.
ReplyDeleteYour future sounds very very exciting to me! Congrats on the fun changes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog!
Your changes sound exciting and fun! Good luck! And I can't wait to read Dog Show Detective, so I hope someone picks that up soon :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your move is going to great. I don't think you have to aspire to be a real writer, I know that you already are.
ReplyDeleteI love change, though I think I've had a little too much of it down the years. :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your writing plans!
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Join me at the Rule of Three Writers' Blogfest!
Have to say the weather would be better in QLD than Yass...but then I'm not a big fan of the cold!
ReplyDeleteHope the move does bring wonderful things in terms of renewal to your writing life. Sounds like this is a change that you're welcoming, rather than dreading, and that's all to the good. :-)
Hi Charmaine, It was fabulous meeting you in person at the CYA conference this year.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for you to move to Brisbane so we can hang out as writers more.
Book launches,Festivals and more :))
Sounds like exciting changes are coming! Good luck with the move!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joanne