Books - Ondine Series
How many books are in the Ondine series?
There are currently two books. Book one is "Ondine: The Summer of Shambles" and book two is "Ondine: The Autumn Palace". Some booksellers list the first novel simply as "Ondine" - this is in fact "Ondine: The Summer of Shambles". This is further confused by the different book cover artwork for the Australian/New Zealand release - making it look like there are three books. A few other booksellers leave off "Ondine" in the title altogether - just to keep everyone guessing!
Specific FAQs for each book are here:
Ondine: The Summer of Shambles FAQs
Ondine: The Autumn Palace FAQs
Writing
 Where do you get your ideas?
From everywhere. I take a notebook with me because ideas are always floating around and I need to catch them. A comforting smell can trigger a feeling or memory. A twisted tree makes me think of people climbing it. A rude person makes me wonder what went wrong in their childhood to make them such an idiot. The truth is, ideas are like a rising tide. They surround and drown me. Ideas are the easy part. It's what I do with those ideas over the following months of writing that are the hard work.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
Join a writers' group in your area. Regularly meeting with other writers to critique work, learn techniques and discuss the industry is a great way to treat writing as a serious pursuit and keep yourself motivated. Join a writers' organisation. Oh yes, and read, read, read and then read some more.
Can I send you my writing for your thoughts or suggestions?
I'm really sorry, but no. I am so busy I honestly don't have time. I do my best to be polite as much as hormonally possible, but if I receive unsolicited material (i.e., things I haven't asked for) they will be deleted immediately or thrown in the recycling, unread and unopened. This makes me out to be a grizzly meany guts, so I'm saying it up front to save us crying into our keyboards later.
But I have something finished already, and I need someone to read it and give me feedback ...
Then join a writers' group in your area or join an online critique group. That is one way to get valuable feedback and develop your skills.
Are there any books you recommend for aspiring writers?
Yes. Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, Story by Robert McKee and Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies by Leslie Wainger. There are thousands more, but these three gave me the greatest number of 'light bulb' moments.
|
 |
Ferrets
Do ferrets make good pets?
Depending on your personality, ferrets could make a great pet. The only thing you really need to get started is an escape-proof cage. Unfortunately, I don't believe these cages exist.
Do ferrets smell?
Yes. But so do humans. Regular bathing and good grooming can help. That goes double for the ferrets.
Are all ferrets salad dodgers?
Absolutely. Ferrets cannot digest vegetable and fruit proteins. Sultana binges put them in a coma. It's meat, meat and more meat with these fellahs. That Atkins bloke probably got his diet idea from researching ferrets. Of course, I could be completely making this up.
How many ferrets do you own?
Not a one! It probably wouldn't be a good idea to start getting them now. I value my furniture. And my sanity. I have met ferrets and found them to be utterly charming and am always happy to hand them back.
For more information on caring for ferrets go to the Victorian Ferret Society. |
