Well, what a year this has been! But let’s jump right to October – because that’s when the action is!
Last Saturday (here in Oz), I launched my novella, The Colours of Orange. It is my maiden voyage into the world of Women’s Fiction.
As some of you may already know, I started off writing for children, with a self-published children’s novel and, more recently, a traditionally published picture book. Many writers focus on writing within the same genre, and have been very successful doing so. I would have loved to have built a strong following within a genre first. But you’ll soon learn that my mind is a bit more … shall we say, topsy-turvy! I have story ideas popping in my head at any given time, that may be for that picture book I’ve been trying to finish for about five years now, or the opening scene from a YA (young adult) novel … or even a quirky adult novel. (By adult, of course, you know I mean non-children … and not adult in the sense that you, um, don’t want someone else knowing what you’re reading!)
An author by the name of Judy Blume is one of my biggest inspirations as a writer. I remember reading Superfudge when I was nine years old. I think it was then that I started writing, not just telling, stories. As a young adult, I was introduced to Frank Peretti, Jerry Jenkins, Francine Rivers and Nicholas Sparks. I didn’t get out much so I read a lot!
During my struggle with depression, I couldn’t handle reading (or watching) anything too suspenseful, sad or scary. So, I relied heavily on funny movies, and I renewed a love affair with rom-coms. Nowadays, I can read most things again but I have a special place in my heart for romances – clean and sweet. Hence, I have started writing a few of these, and I hope to finish each one of them (big dreams right there!) But when I read the book of Ruth, I was so intrigued by the many aspects woven into the story of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz … and how the choices of a foreigner helped shape something of a pretty amazing future. During my book launch, I hoped that I was able to acknowledge all the experiences and thoughts that shaped my story, and the people who helped me craft and deliver it. I also hope that readers will be able to capture even a snippet of the awe that I felt when I first met Orange.
Of course, a big THANKS to all of you for subscribing to my newsletter. And welcome to the first of, I’d like to think, many entertaining, uplifting and – maybe even useful – updates from me! (You know, you may unsubscribe at any time. But I hope you won’t!)
As a way of saying “thanks”, I put together a “Book-Beads-&-Bathbombs” prize pack for one subscriber who was present at the Live. I also drew two other names who will each get a copy of Colours. So, congratulations:
Jo-Anne Berthelsen (prize pack)
Carolyn Miller and Josephine Griffiths (book each).
(Don’t fret, this is not the last of the giveaways!)
So, here’s to October! And here’s to US!
Thankful for you,
Jacquelane
*This is a copy of my first newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, click here.