Amra Pajalic

Read Felicity Pulman’s first two novels in The Janna Mysteries-Rosemary for Remembrance and Rue for Repentance. A young adult novel set in medieval times featuring a 16 year old maiden who solves mysteries. A meticulously researched period novel it has a great sense of atmosphere. At first it felt a bit slow moving but the adventures that Janna undertakes really get the reader absorbed in the story.

Some things that I quibbled with was Janna’s emotional reactions to certain events. For example her mother dying one day and her absorption in her crush the next. But these are necessary ploys to keep the momentum of the story.

There is a love triangle that got my attention and I’m barracking for Godric to win and am desperately hoping this plays out more in the third novel.

Pulman did well in the set up of the series and the scope of what she can explore. Janna is an extremely likeable character who is flawed, which is the way I like my heroines.

Read the first two back to back and wanted so desperately to get back into the world but don’t have the third one right now. Will track it down in short order because this is one series that has really got me hooked.

Michelle Cooper’s The Rage of Sheep is set in 1984 in a small rural town and Hester’s battle to decide whether she wants to be a sheep who follows, or a goat that charts her own path.

The Rage of Sheep made me realise something fundamental about my novel. Some feedback that I’ve received has suggested that it feels dated as it’s set in 1994 and therefore the references to that period date it. Reading Rage of Sheep made me realise this is an astute observation.

While the story was extremely absorbing it did feel dated. In retrospect I don’t believe that there would have been any reason for this novel not to be set in contemporary times. The story would have remained essentially the same.

The problem with setting a novel in 1984 or 1994 is that it’s not far enough in history to have landmarks to establish it as a period piece, but readers who aren’t familiar with the period feel adrift at the references to popular culture. Still loved the novel and will be following on Cooper’s future work.

An author that I have discovered and am absolutely in love with at the moment is J.C. Burke. Have read quite a few of her novels, The story of Tom Brennan, Red Cardigan and her latest, The Starfish Sisters. I cannot say how much I love her. Burke deals with deep emotional issues, drunk driving and the consequences for a family in Tom Brennan, a paranormal story in Red Cardigan and surfing chicks with drug addicted fathers, self-mutilation and boyfriend issues in The Starfish Sisters.

While her novels are deep they are never less than entertaining and engrossing. Well developed characters with grit and reality, but also likeable and sympathetic. I am absolutely in awe of her and the way her writing and what she engages with has developed.

The Red Cardigan, an earlier novel, was disappointingly short and wasn’t developed enough, but it’s dear to my heart because I love paranormal stories. While Tom Brennan and Starfish Sisters do not put a foot wrong.

Reading all this young adult fiction makes me feel even more committed to the young adult genre. It has an incredible range in terms of scope and possibility. I also love being in the mindset of young adults and living voraciously through their adventures. Possibly wanting to re-live my frustrated adolescence?

Other young adult novels still on my reading table Skinny by Ibi Kaslik and Will by Maria Boyd.

Been listening to Mika all week. Love so many songs, but really got inspired by Happy Ending and have a great idea for short story.

Been so consumed with The Wog Manual that short stories have fallen by the wayside. Usually I’m always working on something and submitting stories on a merry-go-round, but haven’t had energy for two things at the one time.

We’ve had gorgeous weather this weekend in Melbourne. Yesterday I sat in my backyard reading the newspaper and it was just one of those perfect moments. Been feeling on a high since. Makes me realise I need to take these small moments of grace. Or really make time for these small moments.

Things bubbling along for The Wog Manual but nothing I can talk about right now.

Read some great books that I need to highlight. Alice Pung’s Unpolished Gem. Alice was brought up in the Western suburbs and her memoir is absolutely beautiful. Such clear writing and great build up.

Also Lloyd Jones Mr Pip. Set in Bougainville during the 1990 blockade it explores the way a white teacher’s reading of Charles Dickens’ to his young students causes tension in the village. Got a bit pile of books to read, now it’s just a matter of deciding what’s next.

Went to the Victorian Premier’s Awards dinner last night and I didn’t win in my category. Instead this guy did.

Had a great time at the dinner. Jodi agreed to come with me and we had a lot of giggles.

The absolute best moment was when the main meal was served.

Jodi said: If I wasn’t vegetarian I would be now.

Penny said: I don’t know whether to eat it or put a nappy on it.

I took a photo and sent it away.

But it wasn’t such a bad thing. It meant I had more space for dessert. And boy did I stuff my face.

In other news had a meeting with a publisher. Hopefully by the end of the month will know what’s happening.