Purple Roads and Gavin, Friend or Foe?
Writing often takes a turn the author doesn’t expect.
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Fleur McDonald is one of Australia’s leading rural literature authors, with her books becoming best sellers almost as quickly as they hit the shelves.
Having sold over 500,000 copies of her books, she has solidified her position as one of the country’s favourite storytellers.
Hot, hot, hot…
I’m not sure if I’ve ever told you all, but I am NOT a summer girl! I don’t do heat and at the whiff of a 35 degree day, I promise myself I will shift to Tasmania. Yesterday it was 45.6 degrees on our verandah. In the bloody SHADE! I can’t tell you how ‘ugh’…
Purple Roads in my hand
Monday was an exciting day. After much hard work, a few little hiccups and the wonderful input from all at Allen and Unwin (namely Siobhan Cantrill, Louise Thurtell) Purple Roads arrived in my mailbox. You know, it’s funny. I thought I’d rip off the mailbag, tear open the packages and stare at it. I…
Food Security isn’t just for Australia, it’s a Global issue…
Introducing Tahna Jackson. A South Australian by birth, Tahna is now the Regional Manager for AgForce Queensland. 1. Summary I grew up on a dairy and stud Charolais beef operation on the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. My childhood was idyllic, on the weekends playing netball and going to the footy (AFL) with my parents…
“I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you…”
I grew up surrounded by music. My Papa sang in a beautiful rich voice – I still get shivers when I remember he and my Uncle Grant singing The Old Rugged Cross, in Church. Mum sang beautifully, although she would say she didn’t, all my cousins play the guitar, drums, sing and write songs; one…
Sardine Fisherman are pioneers, innovators & visionaries
Introducing Executive Officer of the South Australian Sardine Industry, Paul Watson. Paul was a prawn fisherman for many years before taking on this role in the Sardine Industry. His passion for sustainable fishing is clear and I thank him for being a part of my blog. 1. Summary of the Sardine Industry Port Lincoln…
Food: Are you paying for it? By Corey Blacksell
Introducing Corey Blacksell. Corey is the fifth farmer I’m featuring in my quest for 52 farmer stories in 52 weeks as a part of our celebration of the Australian Year of the Farmer! 1. Summary of your family and farming enterprise Together with my wife Tiffany and children Brandon (14) and Lauren (13) we…
Rain and Reading Piles
I know I’ve been a bit quiet on the farming blogs lately – sorry about that! I’m sure you understand getting kids on holidays and then getting them back to school. Covering books, naming clothes, making sure school uniforms fit and all of those sorts of jobs. My kids were so excited to be…
Guest Blog: Lisa Heidke on her new book, Stella Makes Good
I asked Lisa for the back story behind the novel – how she got the idea, if she was plagued with demons while writing, how long it took… Thanks for having me over Fleur! Stella Makes Good came together fairly easily for me.
A cooking school ‘on steroids’ planned for Lantana-Land
Introducing John Beesley. John is working hard to make a difference in his own small way. His story whilst unique, is one of a growing number popping up across Australia. John is fairly modest in his blog here, but you can read more about him on his own blog, Lantana Land
Purple Roads
I’ve been hanging out to show you the cover for Purple Roads and here it is! Isn’t it beautiful? Lisa White, one of the amazing Allen and Unwin designers, has excelled herself, once again. There is also a book trailer to whet your which you can take a look at here: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5R0uAYwmkk[/youtube] April 2 is…
Australian Farmer of the Year – A Farmer’s story, No. 4
Introducing Lynne Strong from Clover Hills Dairies, NSW Firstly I would like to thank Fleur McDonald for giving me this opportunity to share my story and congratulate her for taking the lead in Australian Year of the Farmer by sharing 52 farmers’ stories. For too long food has been about cooking and eating and…
And the sun sets on Purple Roads
I feel sick. I’ve got butterflies and the shakes. And on top of all that, I’m nervous (and a worrier!). Purple Roads is heading to the printers on Monday. That’s it. Done. Finished. There’s nothing more I, nor my editor, can do. The sun has set on this journey. I get like this any…
The National Year of Reading – escapism
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! — When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” ? Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice Do you love going to a movie…
Australian Year of the Farmer – A Farmer’s Story – No. 3
Introducing Ben from Bond Springs Station, NT 1. Summary of your family and farming enterprise My Family started in the Flinders Ranges, and then in 1959 my Mum moved to the NT as a School of the Air Governess. She loved the Red Centre so her and Dad purchased Bond Springs Station in the…
Guest Blog: Louisa Deasey on her first book, Love and other U-Turns
Risk New York was on my turning 30 list, along with writing a book. In October 2007 I was 30 + 6 months and I’d done neither. The prods were getting stronger – not least of which was an ironically-titled writing commission; ‘Things to Try Before You Die’. It was big – 5000 words…
Australian Year of the Farmer – A Farmer’s Story – No. 2
Introducing Angus Whyte from Wyndam, North of Wentworth, NSW 1. Summary of your family and farming enterprise My name is Angus Whyte I live with my wife Kelly and 8 year old son Mitchell at “Wyndham”, a 12,500ha pastoral property on the Anabranch River 85km north of Wentworth NSW. We consider ourselves “graziers”, in…
Guest Blog: Jessica Rudd
As the first guest blogger for 2012 I’m over the moon to have the witty and gorgeous Jessica Rudd. You can follow her on Twitter @Jess_Rudd or on Facebook here. Jess, 27, had three career changes in as many years—law, PR, politics—but is now going steady with her life as a writer. She hopes…
A week of wonders!
Yesterday we woke to our hill being shrouded in heavy, low cloud and gentle showers pushing up from the coast. It was a beautiful way to start the day, especially after the pounding we had on Thursday evening. It was the most incredible thunderstorm I have ever seen and we netted a whopping 46mm…
Australian Farmer of the Year – A Farmer’s Story – No.1
As I said in my first blog for 2012, it’s going to be a busy year! The Year of Reading, Year of Silver Gums (that’s my own ‘Year of’ for writing) and the Australian Year of the Farmer. A bit about Year of the Farmer from their website: Australian Year of the Farmer…
The perfect Christmas present
Sometime people get Christmas presents just right. My brother and his wife has just returned from about six months overseas and they did their Christmas shopping at Harrods of all places! Anyone who knows me well knows I panic easily – at the drop of a hat really and I turn molehills into mountains…