When two worlds collide
April 26th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
I love being at home with bub. In general writing and motherhood go well together. At the moment I’m handwriting my next project in a notebook as I breastfeed and fitting in other stuff on the computer when she’s playing.
On Thursday I had a photo shoot with a local newspaper for an article they’re featuring me in. Usually this wouldn’t be a big deal, but unfortunately one of my cats got sick so I had to a trip to the vet on Thursday morning, with the bub in the pram and the cat in a cage, then drive home, quickly change and lob at the photoshoot. No time for a shower or make up. I at least managed to brush my hair-which is more than I do some days.
So I’m feeling really tense and stressed. The vet gave me some bad news that my cat will have to get some teeth pulled at an astronomical fee. Plus I’m all stressed because I’d been running around all morning.
Like most people I hate having my photo taken, but this morning I’m feeling even worse, especially cause I’m paranoid that I have that lovely sour milk smell from dripping boobs because I didn’t have a chance to shower.
The photographer keeps trying different locations and poses. I’m trying to smile and relax, but I feel like a corpse that’s going through rigormortis and my face is stiff and not cooperating with me.
I get home and give my husband the low-down. ‘Did you wash your hair?’ he asks in horror. At the moment I have to write notes in my organiser about when to wash hair because otherwise I’ll get around to it when my scalp starts itching. ‘Yes,’ I reply. I’d put on a note in the diary for the day before so at least that’s one less thing to worry about.
So now I’m waiting for the issue to come out. I have this horror image of how I will look. The only good thing is I’m pretending to read my novel so hopefully that will take focus away from my face.
My First Review
April 19th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
I just had my first review and I’m walking on air. It was very positive and was just what I needed today. Have been very anxious and on edge about my debut so this is giving me a little more confidence.
My favourite paragraph was:
Reading list
April 14th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
I’m on a panel at the Williamstown Literary Festival on 3 May with Lia Hills and Sofie Laguna so I read their books to have a feel what they’re about.
Sofie Laguna’s Surviving Aunt Marsha
This is a children’s book and Sofie has written one adult book. Bettina, Vince and her brother Aidan are cared for by their Aunt Marsha for three weeks while their parents go on a trip to Paris to find their romance. Aunt Marsha knows how she wants things done and is trying to put the kids and house in tip-top shape, while the kids are trying to survive Aunt Marsha. This was a really enjoyable read. It was about the importance and resilience of family, and not being caught up in misconceptions.
Lia Hills The Beginner’s Guide to Living
Lia is published by Text also. Seventeen year old Will is coming to terms with grief and life after the death of his mother. This is a dark novel, but beautiful and poignant. Will is forced to confront his mortality and the meaning of life, at a time when most teenagers are thinking they’re immortal and getting up to mischief. I found that through Will’s journey I ruminated on my own mortality and purpose in life. I so highly recommend this novel and have to say that the cover is amazing too.
Rant: Madonna’s adoption
April 5th, 2009 § 3 Comments
So the news is all over Madonna’s adoption bid of a little girl called Mercy from Malawi. The adoption was refused by the court and the singer is now appealing.
The news is all about her trying to get preferential treatment when the law states that none residents cannot adopt. The news reporters are full of glee about her embarrassment about being refused with a footage taped a few years ago of the little girl in question and I feel sick.
Everyone is enjoying cutting down the tall poppy, but no one is taking a moment to think about this little girl. How is she going to feel growing up knowing she was so close to being adopted and having a real home and a parent?
There is debate about whether Madonna should be adopting at all as a single mother since her divorce, yet this question is not posed about the capability of any other celebrity.
Don’t get me wrong-I’m not here to protest Madonna’s treatment, I’m just bemused by the hypocrisy taking place, but mostly I’m horrified.
If this adoption bid fails the child is the one that will suffer and yes, technically Madonna is at fault for applying for an adoption that she has to fight for, but how could she not. She saw a child in need that she connected with and wanted to make a difference in her life. And perhaps she’s also thinking about the little boy she adopted and about him having a sibling he has shared experiences.
Personally I’m barracking that this story has a happy ending. It won’t be the news that the reporters want, but it would be the best news this little girl could receive.
PS-Just watched the news and saw that the little girl has a grandmother who is opposed to this adoption. Makes me re-think this whole debate. The critics from child welfare agencies oppose the adoption because taking a child away from its cultural heritage robs them of their identity. This story raises the whole issue of western imperialism yet again. With children being adopted by westerners who can provide them with the material wealth, at the cost of their cultural identity.
Just one question-why doesn’t this come up with Angelina Jolie or other celebrities? I know they probably don’t have any extended family to oppose the adoption and raise this question, but Angelina’s whole obsession with collecting kids from different countries is just disturbing and the whole trend of celebrities raising black or brown babies to show how humanitarian they are is sick. If this whole debacle does one thing it might bring some much needed critique of this whole trend, still it’s a shame it’s at the expense of one little girl’s emotional wellbeing.
In my hot little hands
April 2nd, 2009 § 4 Comments
Well after nearly two years since the signing of my contract I held my book in my hot little hands yesterday. It’s almost like giving birth, this whole build up with revisions and the publishing process, then when you finally hold it in your hand you can’t believe it came out of you.
My box of goodies
It looks so much better than I could have ever imagined. I’ve avoided thinking about the reality of it being on sale and whether people will like it or not, but now it’s upon me and I can’t avoid it anymore. My publicist is sending out a press release to media contacts so we’ll see what the reception will be.
