In which I met Melina Marchetta

So! Yesterday was Melina Marchetta day at the booky nook! 

Let me say that again: Yesterday was MELINA MARCHETTA day at the booky nook!!!

There, can you feel my excitement now? 

I was excited (that was for those of you who couldn't feel my excitement). I have been reading Melina since I was knee-high to a grasshopper (I am now elbow-high. It's a much better view from up here), and also since I thought you pronounced her name with a "ch" as in "chickety-china-the-chinese-chicken", when it's actually pronounced "ck" as in "karma-karma-karma-karma-karma-CHameleon".

I know. Everybody already knew that. But I am from Wynyard, Tasmania. We don't know much stuff down here.

But I digress.

Melina came. She was lovely - softly-spoken and very, very pretty and she had on the BEST SHIRT EVER.

I had to introduce her and I was a tad nervous, but I think I may have just pulled it off. Hurrah!

Then, Melina talked. Melina talking was much more interesting than me talking (note to self: become interesting before book launches). She talked for about half an hour about her new book, The Piper's Son -  which, is, just by-the-by, so complex and poignant and raw and real and incredible - and the books the preceded it.

Then, she answered questions about teaching (never again - the marking, THE MARKING), and whether there will ever be a sequel to "Alibrandi" (probably not).

Then, she answered questions about her writing. I was secretly hoping that somebody would ask her questions about her writing. I wanted to know (and, possibly, STEAL), her secrets.

Refreshingly, she didn't claim that her writing was a magical, mystical process, whereby she dreamed the plots to her books and woke up to find them all magically typed out for her by some whimsical writer sprite, who also left a cup of steaming coffee and a bagel for her to eat while she edited.

Instead, she actually admitted that there is a FORMULA, and that she PLANS AND PLOTS AND MAKES MANY, MANY NOTES BEFORE SHE STARTS WRITING, and that SOMETIMES SHE STEALS IDEAS.

This is why I love Melina. Not only is she supremely talented, she is also honest, humble and giving.

One day, even if I only get the last three qualities, I want to be a lot more like Melina Marchetta.

I also want her shirt.

In which ... Squee! I have a (sort of) fan!

So, it's happened.

It's official.

The first ever person to ask for my book at my bookshop has come. And asked. At my bookshop. Squee.

And my book isn't even out for another six months!!!

And, okay, okay, I know the woman was my former High School SOSE teacher, and I KNOW she asked for "the book by little Katie Lovell" (*maiden name*), and it WAS kind of embarrassing cos she asked my manager, and he didn't have a clue what the HECK she was on about, but still!!!

Word, at least in my teensy home town, has got around.

I am a writer. People are asking for my book. I think this may be the third or fourth happiest day of my life (after my wedding, the day I got an agent, and the days I found out I was getting published).

So, Derris Wood, hats off to you. You have just got your PhD at the age of 69; you are a teacher extraordinaire, and you are my first fan. Big, big love!

In which ... New Day, New Post ... :o)

This is going well! It's day two of my bloggy odyssey and look! Hurrah! Am still here!

And today I am glowing.

I did my first about-to-be-an-author thing.

And it also has to do with blogginess! 

The super-duper wondersome author Steph Bowe has let me guest blog on her blog.

Squee!

The topic is me the writer and me the bookseller and how the two me's work together (they are really very good friends and productive colleagues). Steph asked for 600 words. In usual Kate style I provided her with double that (this is why I am not a haikuist), but she said that was fine! Hurrah!

And so I am a writer. I am a writer OTHER writers want to write FOR them. About ME.

Yes, I do feel a celebratory chocolate break coming up. At this rate, by the time I actually get a book in my hands, I'll be the size of a house!

In which I introduce ... Me

 

This is me. Yes, I always look ever-so-slightly insane.

... and this is my first attempt at an actual, proper blog post. Apparently, I been doin' it WRONG.

I have written about the girl in the shop next door, and a superhero called Superfluous, and steampunk bunnies and big red candles and my funny colleague, Robbie, and Balinese bicycle bells, and puddings called Wilbur. And I was having the BEST time doing it but, apparently, this whole time I was meant to be talking about ... me.

Hmm. Not so easy! But, evidently, the purpose of a blog is to act like an online diary. So I'm going to give that a go. 

My name is Kate. I'm 27. I have a book coming out this October called Three Things About Daisy Blue, and I'm working on a gothic paranormal trilogy about shapeshifters in Tasmania. When I'm not writing, I am reading, or playing in a lounge-room metal band with my husband and my cat. My husband (the bear), wants to call us Reckless Self Medication. I want to call us Reckless Faery. Mephy (my cat), wants to call us Give Mephy More Crunchies (he is very into subliminal messaging).

I am also a not-so-closeted geek, a movie buffoon, an eater of much gluten free cake, a maker of silly pictures (see Wilbur the pudding), and a resident of my head.

There. That wasn't so hard. Now, to keep it up! All encouragement gratefully received!!!

Steph Bowe's lovely comp

Superhero YA blogger and author, Steph Bowe is taking time out from her busy general-awesomeness-and-how-the-bejeepers-does-she-fit-so-much-into-her-tiny-young-life schedule to run a confettity (my new favourite word for awesome), competition. You can win GREAT STUFF, including a blog makeover, which I would give my right bunny foot for! Enter, and marvel at the confettiness that is Steph!

Bargain Girl discovers the meaning of life

BG: It's all about Wizz Fizz. Did you see the chicken thing? Yes. I'm hungry.

No more needs to be said, people. Douglas Adams obviously had it ALL WRONG.

Bargain Girl strikes again

Two visits to the magical land of Bargain today, so two whimsical and worrying exchanges with the town ... strange person ... AKA "Bargaingirl".

Number One:

ME: (Buying Coke) G'Day.

BARGAINGIRL: YUMMY! Oh, I meant the Coke! Not you. I'd like to eat a Coke right now.

ME: ????????

Number Two: 

ME: (Buying a Glue Stick) G'Day.

BARGAINGIRL: GLUE!

ME: Yes.

BARGAINGIRL: I'm sorry. I've got the funnies.

ME: That's no good.

(Silence while Bargain Girl scans the glue)

BARGAINGIRL: Well, enjoy your glue day!

ME: ?????????