So... I know it has been a long time; honestly, I don't know how people keep up with everything. But so many exciting things have been happening. The biggest is the release of my new series, The Road to Wauchope.
These books mean so much to me and shares some of my experiences moving to a new country and trying to figure out what the 'servo' is. It's a gas station.
Buy Links for The Road to Wauchope: A New Beginning
I've wanted to write a story that takes place in my new home country, but I wanted to make sure that I could do it justice. While the States and Australia share the English language, it is so different. I'm very good at picking out the accents in the US, down to what Southern region someone is from, but not here. I'm still trying, but so far I can only detect those in the Northern part of the country, mostly the eastern side, but the rest... Pfft, nope.
What cracks me up is some of the slang that is used here. Some you can distinguish as coming from England, and then some are just... who knows. Some I've been able to research where certain words or phrases come from, and then there are some that baffle me. Like 'Out beyond Whoop-Whoop' or something similar.
What cracks me up is some of the slang that is used here. Some you can distinguish as coming from England, and then some are just... who knows. Some I've been able to research where certain words or phrases come from, and then there are some that baffle me. Like 'Out beyond Whoop-Whoop' or something similar.
When I first started writing The Road to Wauchope series, I had flashcards that I'd been given as a gift the first year I was in Australia. I used those and other words or phrases I've learned. What I really had to concentrate on was the difference between what an Out Back person would say as opposed to what a capital city dweller would say. And yeah, they are different. I actually added a glossary at the beginning of the books. When I had to do some edits, I cracked up laughing.
I've never been one to write a series. It was a daunting task, and I was always afraid that if I wrote the first one, would the others be as good. However, these books practically wrote themselves. The cast of characters became real to me, which makes them real on the pages. Yeah, the two main characters carry the bulk of the weight; the secondary characters pulled their own weight as well. I did fall in love with these people.
I hope everyone will feel the same after reading all five books!
While The Road to Wauchope is a nice snapshot of Aussie life, Mattie's Diner has the warmth and charm of my Southern roots. With a new cover, courtesy of the amazing AJ Corza, I hope that everyone can enjoy some biscuits and gravy with some good ol' chicken-fried steak. There is so much of my life as a chef in here; it scared me a little.
Buy Links for Mattie's Diner
Time to rack up some of the Karma Coins, folks. If you can do one little thing, or big thing, for someone else, you will be rewarded. Trust me, it is such a great feeling to make someone feel better about themselves, or see a smile.
Now, go on, I have work to do!
