Zeus and Us (Let's Talk OUT ALL ON ITS OWN)

THIS IS POSSIBLY THE GREATEST INSIGHT you'll ever receive on writing.

(If I do say so myself - Seriously)

Every wondered what it takes to be a legendary writer's dog? (i.e. an exemplary dog that belongs to a writer). If you know talented author Helene Young then you know Zeus.

There are no other words to describe Zeus - except - LEGEND.

With many appearances on Helene's blog (including being a judge for some of Helene's giveaway opportunities) and his spicy zest for life, my mutts, Nero and Bunson Battistel couldn't help but want to interview Zeus. 

The Battistel mutts take over gabbawrites to enjoy a nice sit down, drop, stay and roll over with Zeus to discuss things like general magnificence, inner and outer charisma and GMC.

Zeus and Us - Meeting the Legend...

Zeus - LEGEND (wish we could make the pic bigger)

We're sure you'd agree that being handsome helps with being a good author's dog… What is your secret to retaining your inner and outer magnetism?

Zeus with Capt G

Nero and Bunson, you’re too kind. I think all dogs improve with age and I’m just fortunate to have good genes. I’m a little embarrassed to say I have heard Capt G say I have a face only a mother could love. It’s fortunate Helene loves it!

How do you contribute to the writing process? Does your writer run plot ideas past you? Does she sometimes stand in front of you, sip hot beverages and stare blankly in your direction? (ours does, we understand she's thinking about writing)

I think it’s very important that a writer should stretch every hour or so. I find depositing a suitably slimy tennis ball in Helene’s lap is a highly effective way of promoting this.

She’s also a little prone to reading her work aloud. I have been known to groan if it’s getting really boring and she usually takes the hint…

And yes, the ten-mile stare can be a little disconcerting but I soon learned not to interrupt.

Workshopping it

You were a major part of your author's presentation at the RWA 2012 conference. Were you a diva during your photo shoot or was the photographer too easy to work with thus making the shoot a breeze?

You know I find it very easy to be natural in front of the camera perhaps because I’ve had a lens shoved in my face from a very early age…

Occasionally I have to decline Helene’s crazier ideas. I mean why would a dog want to wear a bee keepers outfit? But I did have fun posing for that workshop.

What books has your author got coming out … latest release? What are her other titles and where can we get them? What's her website address?

Helene's latest ... FETCH!

Her latest release is Half Moon Bay and it’s being released on 22^nd May 2013. I love this story. Something about the hero, Nick, used to make me sit up and pay attention when Helene was reading it out loud. He’s this really cool guy who’s been to hell and back having to pretend to be a sleazy developer. You just know underneath that stern exterior he’s a marshmallow who’s so in love with Ellie.

You can find all the details at www.heleneyoung.com and of course there are links on her web to facebook and twitter.

Are you a kibble or a can food kind of guy?

Kibble for me – same boring diet for the last 12 years but it says it makes my coat shiny and I guess they aren’t exaggerating.

When considering the moments leading up to meal times, can you describe you inner and/or outer GMC? What of your resolution moment?

Well see, there’s a problem here. Being an only hound my food bowl is always topped up so I can graze when I feel like it. What that does mean is there’s plenty of opportunity for suspense and tension but I’ll have a stab at GMC.

Goal - leave enough biscuits to appear cool.

Motivation- it’s all about appearances.

Conflict? They taste soooo good! Why leave any at all!

- Zeus

What's the best thing about being your writer's dog?

We have adventures! I mean how many other dogs do you guys know who got to drive from Cairns to Brisbane to Cairns to Brisbane then sail a boat back north again! I was a valued member of the crew and provided plenty of encouragement when the going got tough. And I get to write the blog when Helene’s a bit snowed under!

- Zeus

See? Told Ya... Legend.

* * *

And thus, dear reader, I ask you... Have you ever read an interview more articulate, informative, insightful?


Don't forget to read about Helene Young in my Author Talkee post. She's a multi-talented, multi-award winning Australian Romantic Suspense Writer with a lot of wisdom.

For those curious enough... below are the Battistel Mutts. Bunson on the left and Nero (obviously on the right)

Go to my Support Universe Page for all the details on Helene. QUICK!

CHEERIES ALL

Helene Young and Me (Let's Talk Part 6)

Going over and beyond with the fabulousness of my latest Talkee, Helene Young.

This lady is jammed pack full of wisdom and as a romantic suspense writer, has hit the target with readers winning awards many times over (but don't let me distract you with that now, read more about it in my Support Universe Page.

It was indeed my pleasure to have spent time as a mere participant in a workshop at the RWA 2012 conference where Helene spoke of that all important engineering tool of writing. GMC - Goal Motivation and Conflict.

I really don't want to say much more, this lady is self-explanatory.

I have got a lot out of all my author talkees. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. And I'm quite tickled pink to have this one as part of a great line up.

Meet Helene Young...

Helene Young

What was it that made you sit down and write your first book? How many titles have you got out now? How long did it take you to be first published?

I’d always been a bit of a dabbler and loved English at school, but it wasn’t until we moved to Cairns for my job with Qantaslink that I found myself with time on my hands and decided it was now or never. That first manuscript will never see the light of day. I liken it to the first table a carpenter builds – legs not quite straight, bit wobbly, needing a touch more sanding and smoothing, but still a necessary achievement. I completed another four manuscripts before I was fortunate enough to be offered a contract with Hachette Australia for Border Watch/Wings of Fear. That was a ten-year journey with a lot of learning along the way!

Romantic suspense… quite the senses teaser… What makes a good romantic suspense?

I reckon Romantic Suspense is the best value read around  - it’s two for the price of one! A good romantic suspense story will ensure that the suspense is helping to drive the relationship between the hero and heroine, but it also needs to be complex enough to stand-alone. Australian Romantic Suspense is not as well known as its American counterpart. That’s a shame as we have wonderful authors like Bronwyn Parry, Shannon Curtis, Lee Christine and Sandy Curtis pushing the boundaries of the genre with rich Australian settings. Check them out. They all have new releases this year!

You conduct writing workshops for various groups/learning institutions…if there's one message you could leave with an aspiring writer, what would it be?

It’s my mantra – ‘Rules are for fools and the guidance of wise men. Be wise, be guided.’ By that I mean that while the rules of grammar and spelling are pretty much set in stone so many other ‘rules of writing’ don’t work for everyone. I’m a dyed-in-the-wool panster and my stories stall if I try and plot them. I have good friends who need to plot before they can start writing. There is no right or wrong way to write. But as the saying goes ‘ a blank page does not a story make,’ so get typing!

What was the best craft tip you ever received?

Conflict is king. If the conflict between your characters is not sustainable you’ll run out of pace after the first four chapters.

How long does it take for you to write one of your books?

I can write a first draft of 100,000 words in six months. The editing process then takes anywhere up to another twelve months, including all the work with a publisher. The pace of writing is fairly erratic though, driven by the demands of work and how much time I spend procrastinating on social media.

Many unpublished writers aspire to be in your "position" - to make it where you are. Your tips for their achieving that goal?

Be determined, learn from criticism but keep it in perspective – it’s one person’s opinion. Remember that while writing is our passion, being published is a business. Lay the framework for that small business early and you’ll be able to enjoy your writing.

- Helene Young

You have a very close affinity with aviation working as a pilot. Can you compare any similarities between the job of a pilot and an author? (perhaps one has to make sure the resolution in your story is as sturdy as your aircrafts' gearing in its landing gear upon flight's end? Or perhaps your gauges in the cockpit are looked at similarly to your plot points - their needing to be effective, accurate and reliable?)

I love your analogies, Gabrielle. I used to think flying with all the checklists and standard operating procedures was the opposite of my often chaotic writing style. The more I write, the more I realise the same attention to detail that’s required to safely transport my passengers around Australia is required in my writing, especially the editing phase. It’s also a team effort and communication is so important when you’re working with a publisher.

I know you have a fabulous dog named Zeus. A bit of a fun qu for you… When it comes to writing dialogue, do you believe dogs deserve quotation marks?

Of course they should have quotation marks! Zeus often has an opinion and woe betide me if I don’t take him seriously! He’s part of my training courses and delivers most of the good lines… He’s also has a devoted blog following that far eclipses mine…

And now, dear reader the good stuff on Helene and her latest title ready for release on the 22nd of May 2013. Read more (GO ON!)about how you can contact Helene, connect on Facebook and twitter. Do that by going to my Support Universe Page.

Ellie Wilding has been running from her past, but when the residents of Half Moon Bay call for help she knows it's finally time to return home.  As an international photojournalist, she's used to violence in war zones, but she's shocked when it erupts in the sleepy hamlet on the north coast of New South Wales, threatening all she holds dear.

Battle-weary Nicholas Lawson walked away from his military career leaving unfinished business. In a coastal backwater, that decision returns to haunt him. He remembers all too vividly his last lethal assignment in Afghanistan when Ellie's sister, Nina, was shot and killed. Ellie's been in his dreams ever since, even if she doesn't remember him…

As a storm rages and floodwaters rise, Ellie struggles to save her community. But who can she trust? Nick Lawson, the dangerously attractive stranger with secrets, or an old friend who's never let her down?

Don't let me leave you with this mere snippet about Zeus, dear reader. If you want to me choose THE BEST AND MOST VALUABLE INSIGHT EVER TO COME FROM MY WRITING WORLD - and I really do mean THE BEST in all of my writing world, then read my next post. IT'S A MUST MUST MUST READ. Clickety Split!(Don't forget to comment on this and Zeus's post BTW - Feedback is great for all writers!)

Ann B Harrison and Me (Let's Talk Part 5)

Having a great time with my author talkie series dear reader and I hope you are too.

Ann B Harrison

My talkee this time is someone I'd chatted to online. Funnily enough, we happened to have passed by eachother in the walkway at the RWA 2012 conference. I immediately said; "Ann! It's me, Gabrielle." We embraced. It was nice.

Miss Ann has a title out at the moment. Now, let me say this folks... you'll read in this post here that Ann took a while to get published. It was great to see a recent facebook post from her that said:

"I can't believe I have just released my seventh book in 18 months. Bit stunned by it all to tell the truth. Head down and going for it kind of seemed unreal but today it has hit me."

Neat eh? 

Let's Meet Ann B Harrison...

In my journey I’ve learned that writers should ‘write the story they have to write,’ the story they needed to write. You’ve written a few books now but what was it that made you sit down and ‘have to write’ your first book?

It actually took me a long time to write my first book. I didn't know how to start, thinking I had to have it all plotted out when all I had were the same few paragraphs running through my head. It took me quite a while to realise I am a pantser.

How did you feel writing those immortal words: “the end.” Sad to see the characters go? Perhaps you were happy it was finally done? Your thoughts?

Funnily enough I never write that on my manuscripts. I give my characters all they need so it's an easy parting in a way, but I know the story is done and that's enough for me.

- Ann B Harrison

What was your greatest challenge as an aspiring published fiction writer? Frustrations? And now as a published author, is it a little different/easier?

My biggest hurdle was getting a contract. It took quite a few rejections before I happened on the right person to tell me I was doing something wrong and in my case it was the structure of my story. I love that my family and friends like my work but they don't see the same things an editor does. Once I had that problem under control, it was the inbox stalking to see if anyone wanted to contract me. Luckily they did but I still inbox stalk. Maybe not every ten minutes like the first time though.

The greatest craft tip you received was?

Place, grabbing the reader and taking them with you.

The greatest tip I received was “Show don’t Tell (very valuable) I put the challenge to you … describe how you felt when you saw your first cover (and indeed subsequent titles) for the first time. Come on, you’re a writer SHOW ME how you felt (Don’t tell me)

I hesitated to open the email from our cover artist. Just one click and I would see what she had designed hopefully with my comments in mind. My pulse jumped up a notch as I hesitated. Nothing for it, I clicked. My heart pounded and I held my breath. I sat with my hands clenched together, my gaze glued to the screen as the picture came into focus. My eyes filled with unshed tears. Standing in front of me was Nathan and Libby, both looking sexy in a white singlet and wearing Akubra's.

What is it you enjoy from your novel writing? (i.e. what do you get out of it?)

I think it's the ability to let my imagination run wild. I can do anything and be anyone when I write and that is a terrific freedom you can't find anywhere else.

I’ve read on your website that you live in the middle of the desert. Are you geographically isolated and is that a help or a hindrance to your creativity? How to you keep your creative spirit alive and bubbling?

Yes we are in the middle of the desert and I love it for various reasons. The beauty of the outback, you just can't beat it with it's vivid colors. It's also good for creativity, especially in my Outback series. I know the desert and the life out here as well as being brought up on greener farms. It gives me a great scope to pick my settings from.

It’s often said entering comps is a good learning curve. Your take? What did you get out of entering?

It was practise for me and I got some great feedback from New Voices which was encouraging.

How did you pitch your first book? Comp, pitch session at a conference, accidently run over an editor in the street? Perhaps purposely stand next to them in a line-up for a takeaway coffee? What clinched the sale for you do you think?

I wasn't brave enough for a face to face pitch. I queried on line for my first book and when I had the chance to query my first publisher face to face last year I was a nervous wreck. I practised over and over to get it to her in three sentences. It must have worked because she asked for it. I hope I never have to do that again. Me and public speaking do not go hand in hand.

And finally for a bit of fun … I’ve heard you have a Black Labrador named Hugo. A quick pet lovers question for you then… when it comes to dialogue, do you think dog’s deserve quotation marks? “ “ ???? Why?

I would swear it was ???? some days but I think Hugo understands me quite well. Generally we can get away with "". It must be his Guide Dog training.

Now, dear reader, I've seen a picture of Hugo, he' a legend!

And so, of course, here's the good stuff on Ann B Harrison's release:

Libby is set on taming the outback as she takes over Quincy Station, but can she tame her rough neighbor, Nathan's, hardened heart as well?

Nathan Miller rattles Libby's nerves more than she cares to admit. He is the one person that stands between her and the family home that has been left to her. So why then does the man stir her up to such an extent, her body pulses with the need to have him? They do nothing but clash and snap at one another, and he makes no bones about the fact she shouldn't be Quincy's Station's new owner, but back in the city where he thinks she belongs. Having had an unpleasant clash with a "city girl" once before, Nathan does not think Libby has it in her to stick it out. He refuses to give in to his urges. But when Mother Nature brings chaos to Quincy Station and threatens Libby's children, he'll either be proved right in his assumptions or find his barriers taken down by a stubborn woman and her kids.

Read more about it (and get it) here:

http://www.amazon.com/Taming-the-Outback-ebook/dp/B0091NYCVU/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367289306&sr=1-3

Now get to my Support Universe for more on Ann B Harrison - CLICKETY SPLIT!