• Blog

    Overwhelmed and underachieving on Musical Monday

    9/21/2014

    Sleeping HippoIs it really Monday again? Did I really not put up a single blog post in a week? I guess that’s two yeses.

    I’m such a slacker! (That’s me in the picture!)

    Lately I’ve had that overwhelmed and underachieving feeling. I get it every now and then and I can’t quite shake it off. Sadly it doesn’t spur me on to do more it just kind of immobilises me.

    Little things and good intentions slip by unattended to, unfulfilled. Opportunities are squandered.

    It is very annoying.

    Maybe it is because the sun is finally out, after an insanely wet winter, but I feel like I started shaking that off again over the weekend. I made a few plans for myself. Plans that don’t require me to work in with others and that I can quietly look forward to.

    I’m a planner by nature, but I’m married to the man least likely to make a plan. His gravestone could read “Here he lies, he didn’t plan to die.”

    Don’t get me wrong I like to be spontaneous but I also like some structure. A girlfriend and I say we like “organised spontaneity”. I’m happy to go off on a whim but damned if I don’t want to take the bus schedule, some snacks, bandaid, some ibuprofen and a jacket just in case.

    Putting a few plans in place both for my work life, my writing and my home life help.

    Meanwhile I’m plugging away at Book 2 in the Upper Crust Series and deciding which book to write for NaNoWriMo in November. It will either be Book 3 in the series or the sequel to Mr Right and Other Mongrels (if you have an opnion, do let me know).

    This song is very much the soundtrack in my mind at least for Book 2 in the series. So it’s today’s Musical Monday offering. And it really is a beautiful song.

  • Blog

    Everything I know I learned on the Internet (well, most of it)

    9/9/2014

    Laptop and Coffee CupI wish that being an author was as easy as writing a book. That is not to say that writing a book is easy at all, because truthfully it isn’t. How many people have you heard say “I have a great idea for a book” or “I’m going to write a book one day”? How many of those people actually write the book? Not many.

    That’s not the point. If you want to write a book then you sit down and you write it. It might take you years, or even a lifetime, but in the 21st Century that is the easy part.

    These days you need to be a marketing expert to be an author, and it doesn’t matter if you are traditionally published or indie, you still need some marketing chops.

    You need to understand branding, author platforms, SEO, blogging, Tumbler, Twitter and Facebook to name but a few things. You need to be able to set up a website and a mailing list and perhaps even a Street Team. And algorithms – they’re going to come up a lot in conversations. (If you’re anything like me you didn’t become an author because you’re into algebra so yeah, what is an algorithm again?) It’s a lot to take in.

    You may not use all this information but you need to absorb it at the outset so that you can then decide which bits are for you and which bits you are going to run away from screaming. You don’t have to do it all but you do probably need to choose what you do wisely.

     

    And here’s the really super annoying thing. Just when you think you have it sorted, the rules will change.

    Here’s an example. When I published my first novel Mr Right and Other Mongrels back in May 2012 it was quite a thing to get people to tag your book on Amazon and to like those tags. I’d tag it as chicklit or fantasy or horror and then others liked/agree that the book was indeed in that category. That helped people find your book (visibility) in the Amazon shop. Yeah, that system doesn’t exist anymore. Hours wasted.

    Want another one? I have around 850 people who have liked my Facebook Author Page. That did not happen overnight and it did not happen by accident. That took a whole strategy. That took hours of time. I’m going to presume that at least half those people might have wanted to see what I posted from time to time. In 2014 Facebook has moved the goalposts. Now a mere handful of those people who signed up and said they were interested in my books and ramblings about coffee see my posts. You probably don’t see them most of the time. Now Facebook wants me to pay to send this information to people. And even then it doesn’t reach most of them.

    How did I know I needed to tag books? How did I know I needed a Facebook Author page? The internet. And how did I learn I needed to relearn this stuff, the same way.

    When I published my first book as an indie author I knew exactly NO ONE in real life, who had gone the indie route. I was alone in a big, book-filled universe flailing about for answers. I did pretty well considering.

    I found Facebook Groups to join who have given me advice and helped promote my books. I got myself on Twitter and learned the dos and don’ts of negotiating that space. I have a blog and I know about Price Pulsing as well. (It sounds quite sexy but it’s not.) I have finally got my butt in gear and I have a newsletter mailing list – man I wish I’d gotten onto that before Facebook changed things up.

    It’s tiring for authors these days. Lots of us are sweet, introverted people who like to read and drink beverages of the hot and cold varieties while chatting about said books. We can’t so mostly, they’re just like me and they keep pushing forward and adapting to the changes.

    I’m glad the internet is there to help me. Being a writer isn’t the lonely and isolated pursuit of sitting in a garret it used to be. Though, I will say, despite the success stories you read about (again more than likely on the internet) most authors, both indie and traditional, still struggle to make money.

    Some days I would prefer a return to the old days and but most days I take off my luddite hat and embrace the new opportunities out there.

     

    Comments

    Jessica
    9/9/2014 04:34:18 pm

    Wow!! I feel ur pain! I’m so super new to the world of blogging and it’s a major learning curve. Even having groups and communities with other bloggers it’s still all just one huge learning experience. Getting likes, having followers, learning about how to get authors to find u or up find them! It’s really fun, but it’s so much work!

    I tell people, for someone who doesn’t work, I sure am busy all of the time. My family assumes I sit in my room do online shopping or just play all day LOL haha haha. If only. I still don’t know half of what I need to! SEO, that’s super new to me, algorithm NOW U got me scared!

    I do product reviews as well and constantly people want to know how many unique visitors do I have lol. Umm well, I had 3500 page views last month does that count? Lol. Great post!! 😍
    Reply
    Monique
    9/9/2014 05:00:22 pm

    I know it does take hours and then you think hmmmm, did I actually achieve anything today?

    SEO is confusing. I think I’m getting more used to that but maybe I’m just fooling myself…;)

    I think that counts btw Jessica.

    Julie Valerie @Julie_Valerie
    9/24/2014 11:54:52 pm

    I couldn’t agree with you more!

    I just finished listening to a podcast about this topic while driving home from a school carpool. On the one hand, it’s great that the traditional barriers to publishing have been lifted, but yes, that comes with a whole host of things authorpreneurs have to do and learn.

    I think Facebook’s decision (post IPO) to monetize their site through advertising was a HUGE mistake for them. Why in the heck would I work my tail off to get “likes” (which I always felt was like being back in high school) when only a small percentage of my “likes” will even see what I post? I often think about posting a good-bye post to my readers on Facebook to announce I’m shutting down my presence there to focus on other things…

    Thanks so much for linking this blog post to the Hump Day Blog Hop (always the last Wednesday of the month). I read with great interest and totally agree 100% with everything you said. Loved it.

    Cheers!
    Reply
    Monique
    9/27/2014 10:47:02 am

    The whole Facebook situation is ludicrous to me. It has definitely had a massive affect on my book sales. I’m just not reaching people that I used to but I’m certainly not paying to get likes for a page no one sees.

    Thanks for organising the Hump Day Blog, Julie 🙂

    Lori Schafer
    9/25/2014 02:01:30 am

    Sometimes I feel as though being a modern writer is bit like being a parent – a thousand jobs rolled into one. And while it’s beautiful and heartwarming watching your little one learn to walk and talk and ride a bike and one day even drive, in the meantime you still have to change them and feed them and wash their clothes and make them do their homework and yell at them for breaking curfew. Rewarding, but exhausting nonetheless.
    Reply
    Monique
    9/27/2014 10:47:54 am

    It does feel like that – every time I release a new “book baby” I hope it will be liked and accepted and find it’s people.

    Winfield
    9/27/2014 05:46:32 am

    I can understand how you feel. I’ve only seriously started taking writing in the past 2 years. Since I’m not the most outgoing person in the world, it is difficult for me to get myself out there where all I want to do is read, watch, write and other individual activities. The amount of stuff that an indie author has to do if they do go the self-publishing route has made me nervous… I’m just trying bit by bit, not trying to rush things.
    Reply
    Monique
    9/27/2014 10:49:14 am

    Winfield I think that traditionally published authors find themselves in similar situations now too. They do get support from publishers but smaller authors still need to do lots of the heavy lifting themselves.

  • Blog

    Have Chick Lit, Will Travel Launch Day!

    7/24/2014

    Have Chick Lit Will Travel CoverI am very excited to be part of this lovely box set with authors Jennifer Gilby Roberts and Geralyn Coracillo.

    I’ll be featuring both ladies on the blog over the next few days so you can learn more about the women behind the stories.

     

    ***

     

    Have Chick Lit, Will Travel

    A new box set of three great summer reads from up and coming chick lit authors.

    Fancy getting away from it all this summer? The chick lit tour bus is about to depart!

    Calling at:

    * Los Angeles, USA, to stumble into some outdoor adventures in She Likes It Tough;

    * Sydney, Australia for a harbour tour and a trip to the beach in Mr. Right and Other Mongrels; and

    * London, England to enjoy Pimms, strawberries and, of course, tennis in After Wimbledon.

    But it’s not all about the scenery. There’s plenty of time for falling in love, tackling big challenges and finding the courage to go after what you want. Our three tour guides are pretty tough women – even if they don’t know it – so come enjoy the ride while they deal with men, media and mothers in this international chick lit boxed set.

    These three novels have a total list price of $8.97, but for a limited time the collection is on sale for only 99c!

    The set includes:

    SHE LIKES IT TOUGH by Geralyn Corcillo

    “Hilarious story that is well paced and very original. You don’t want to miss this sassy crazy romance!”

    Lost in Chick Lit

    When a freak fast-food accident almost kills scaredy-cat Lisa, she decides it’s time to get a backbone and really start living. But how is she supposed to get tough after a lifetime of watching from the couch?

    Jack Hawkins, that’s how. When Lisa finds out that the outdoor extremist needs a clueless urbanite to test his top-secret line of beginners’ adventure gear, she makes the most outlandish deal of her life: she will be his test dummy if he helps her become brave.

    But are there enough wild adventures in the world to help Lisa find the grit to pursue a career she really wants or the nerve to stand up to her bullying family? And what about going after the man who’s not afraid of anything… except falling for Lisa?

    Winner of Best Indie Book and Best Humor Book at the Rebecca’s Reads Choice Awards 2013.

    MR RIGHT AND OTHER MONGRELS by Monique McDonell

    “Truly loved every minute that I was reading this book!”
    Smitten With Reading, Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer

    Quietly and independently wealthy, Ally Johnson runs a charming second-hand bookshop in beachside Manly and is blissfully happy doing it. Heck, sometimes she even goes downstairs from her flat to run the shop in her Chinese silk pyjamas. It sounds perfect. But when dog-phobic Ally is rescued from an exuberant canine by Teddy Green, Australia’s hottest TV celebrity, her life begins to change dramatically!

    Despite her best efforts to resist his charm, Ally finds herself falling for him. Supported by her eccentric family and her fabulous gay friend Justin, Allegra embarks on an on-again, off-again romance with Teddy, complicated by his jealous ex-girlfriend, fashionista Louisa, and her own narcissistic hippy mother Moonbeam.

    Will Ally be able to overcome her insecurities and find happiness with Teddy, or will his celebrity lifestyle prove to be too much?

    AFTER WIMBLEDON by Jennifer Gilby Roberts

    “A sumptuous summer read that will delight everyone, even those who aren’t into their tennis.”
    Best Chick Lit

    After 12 years on the pro tennis tour and four years with her sort-of boyfriend, Lucy Bennett has had enough. She wants real life… and real love.

    Her life, her decision. Right? Well, no one else seems to think so. With opinions on all sides, Lucy’s head is spinning. And she’s stumbling right into the arms of long-term crush and fellow player Sam. Shame her boyfriend – his arch-rival – would sooner smash a racquet over their heads than agree to a simple change of partners.

    As the Wimbledon Championships play out, Lucy fights for her life on and off the courts. But what will she be left with after Wimbledon?

    ~~~~

    Each book is written using the language conventions of the author’s home country.

    One click this great romantic comedy box set now before the price goes up!

    Amazon: http://mybook.to/HCLWT

    Have Chick Lit Will Travel Box Set Image

    Comments

    Geralyn Corcillo
    7/24/2014 06:05:40 pm

    What a trip it has been putting together this box set with these two fantastic authors and their highly entertaining books!

    Jessica
    7/25/2014 12:29:52 pm

    ThNks so much for letting me be a part of your special day! Bought the book and can’t wait to sink my teeth in!! Wishing U guys much success!

    Jessica
    7/26/2014 04:57:17 pm

    Thanks so much! I can’t wait to read your book!! I have to admit, I purchased before skimming the blurb… I had already purchased and read Wimbeldon, so I figured any books paired alongside it should be up my alley! Now having read the blurb, can’t wait to dig in!! 😍. Congrats on your collaboration!

  • Blog

    Musical Monday – let’s talk ear-worm songs

    7/20/2014

    Have Chick Lit Will Travel Box Set ImageBefore we talk music let’s talk box sets and other things. Or more specifically let’s talk about this Box Set that Mr Right and Other Mongrels is being included in. It will be out this Friday and is called Have Chick Lit, Will Travel.

    I’m going to probably bore you senseless with the details this week but if you want to attend our online launch on Friday 25 July then pop on over to Facebook and sign up to attend.

    Also if you’ve signed up to receive my newsletter it will be in your inbox later today.

    Now on to earworm. as you are no doubt aware, earworm songs are those pesky songs you get in your head that you can’t quite seem to shake. You wake up to them, go to sleep to them and find yourself humming them on the train, in the supermarket and in the shower. The annoying thing about an earworm song is you probably don’t even love the song, sometimes they are even songs you hate.

    I played a song in the car back from our road trip two weeks ago and it has been in my head EVER SINCE (yes that is me screaming with frustration). What’s worse is my lovely husband who is currently renovating my kitchen (which is fantastic for life but not so much for writing) is whistling the song while he drills, saws, hammers his way through the day. Drilling and that song do nothing for my creativity.

    Over the years I’ve had some pretty annoying ear worm songs. I’m going to share a couple with you now – you can thank me later – and I would love it if you would share yours with me.

    First off we have Lady GaGa with Alejandro. I do not like this song. I do not like it in the car, I do not like it at a spa, I do not like it in my head, it makes me wish that I were…well not dead, but able to shake it for sure…

    Next up we have a lovely young man by the name of Taylor Henderson. He came second in Australian X-Factor last year, a show that I don’t even watch unless I’m reading in bed or am too tired to think. Somehow I had this little song stuck in my head for 6 months. Lucky me.

    It’s important to remember that almost always with earworm songs I have a key line wrong, usually the chorus, so that not only am I annoyed by the song the whole family gets to be annoyed as I sing in the car, kitchen or wherever it pops up.

    So today’s question is – what song is your current earworm? I need a new one – and DO NOT say Frozen, okay?

  • Blog

    Musical Monday and other news…

    6/22/2014

    Allegra Holding Books IllustrationIt’s Monday again. How did that happen? Where oh where did the week go? It’s nearly the end of June already…seriously where is this year racing off too and why is it in such a hurry to get there?

    News first…I REALLY am getting my newsletter happening this time. Mail Chimp and I seem to have formed a truce and I think I can actually manage to not just write the newsletter but send it out. Amazing!

    If you haven’t signed up you really should – there’s a little box on the right of this screen – I promise not to bombard you with useless information but I do have some exciting news to share in the next couple of months and this will be the best way to get it.

    Can you believe it is a year since I did my wonderful research trip to LA to get my mind sorted for the sequel to Mr Right and Other Mongrels? No. Me either. I haven’t written that book yet but I have the story sort worked out in my mind and I would like to get it out by Christmas or maybe early 2015. Stay tuned for that one.

    I’m taking part in an Indie Author promo and you can enter the competition here on my site or at any of the sites of the participating authors.

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Meanwhile for Musical Monday here’s a classic song that I have loved for years and I particularly love this version. It fits well with one of the books I am currently working on and ironically it was sent to me by an old boyfriend on a mixed tape way back when. (If you haven’t read Mr Right and Other Mongrels you might like to find out what Teddy uses as the modern equivalent of the mixed tape.) This is a very odd video if you haven’t seen it the song starts about 2 minutes in.

  • Blog

    Two years of blogging and what have we learned? ( including Musical Monday)

    5/11/2014

    Dog on Pile of BooksIt is now just on two years since I started this blog. That’s pretty amazing. The last two years have been a wild ride for me. There are lots of things I would have done differently if I had known back in 2012 what I know now. (As I don’t own a time machine that’s just bad luck isn’t it?)

    I know people who regret their publishing journey and I don’t feel that way. There are certainly things I regret (choices, actions and of course lack of action) but not the whole journey.

    I thought I’d make this post not about the publishing but about the blogging. What have I gleaned over this time period?

    1. Consistently coming up with content is hard.

    2. Many more people read blogs than comment on them – you do very often feel as if you’re chit chatting to your self.

    3. You can lead people to your blog, you can even get them to comment but if you have something to sell (eg books in my case) that doesn’t mean they will do so.

    4. Lots of people who you think in the beginning will read your blog do not.

    5. Having regular memes (eg Musical Monday, Writers on Wednesday) makes it easier for you to generate consistent content.

    6. As a writer hosting other writers, reviews or industry people is a great way to create blog content and hopefully draw new audiences to your blog. I am sure this is true for cooking, mothering and fishing blogs as well. Be generous and welcoming to others and they will reciprocate.

    7. Even though you may not think your blog impacts your business (see point 3) when you don’t blog you will see a downturn in sales. (I do).

    8. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

    9. Try and be consistent. Even if you only blog once a week do it regularly and like clockwork. (OK I don’t always do this but I have learned that I should 🙂 )

    Any other bloggers out there what do you think are the key rules for success?

    And for Musical Monday the lovely Norah Jones singing a song that was integral to the writing soundtrack and the story of my first novel Mr Right and Other Mongrels now celebrating it’s 2nd birthday.

     

    Comments

    louise
    5/11/2014 04:59:00 pm

    That’s honest, and sometimes number four is definitely true with me!
    I began blogging because I wanted to this author platform that everyone told me I needed, and somehow blogging has become part of my life. I love it, and I guess that helps.
    Reply
    Monique
    5/11/2014 05:15:45 pm

    I did the same Louise. I find there are times I love it and others it feels like just one more thing (as many things do on the writer’s journey). overall it’s a a great way to share who you are as a person/writer beyond your books.

    Jana
    5/11/2014 07:23:36 pm

    No. 5 sounds great 🙂
    My blog is new and I don’t post regularly, but I do believe that consistency is very important.
    Reply
    Monique
    5/11/2014 08:07:37 pm

    I think the best blogs are consistent (not citing mine as an example FYI)…lots of people I know only for one or two posts a week but they are for example every Monday and every Thursday and people know that and stop by then. Also it looks very efficient and organised.

    Courtney
    5/11/2014 09:58:57 pm

    I agree with consistency. People will keep coming back if you give them something interesting to read about and they know they’ll be something new and fresh up there the next time they visit. Happy Monday all!
    Reply
    Monique
    5/12/2014 08:55:09 am

    I agree Courtney. The challenge is to come up with that new content every time.

  • Blog

    Some thoughts on the writer’s journey and musical Monday

    4/27/2014

    Monique McDonell Walking Beach WalkIn a matter of days it will be two years since I published my first novel Mr Right and Other Mongrels. Two years! It feels like yesterday. It feels like a lifetime ago. It’s all very confusing.

    Of course that wasn’t where my writer’s journey began, or even my publishing journey, but it is when I officially became an indie author.

    Since then, as those of you following along at home will know, I have released four additional novels under my name and one under a pen name (Ok some of you may not have known that bit!) I think that’s a pretty decent effort overall, although I am way behind the goals I set myself.

    Oddly, it isn’t the writing that slows me down, it’s either the covers, the editing or the formatting that pushes the schedule back every time.

    I still find the hardest part of this journey the ability to maintain momentum. One week I’ll be on fire and the next completely deflated. There’s always a huge crash after a book releases. All that work getting it ready, setting up any promotional opportunities and then waiting. Will the reviews come in? (Probably not as many as you’d like) Will sales soar? (Probably not as many as you’d like.)? Will everyone who showed enthusiasm and said they buy it or read it do so? (Absolutely not. That lesson doesn’t get easier with time.)

    Then you just have to get up and get moving and put that behind you or beside you is probably more correct…it’s more like a shadow that travels with you. You can’t really put it behind you because it’s an ongoing project promoting a book, selling books and being an author.

    So you need to move on and get writing again.

    As an indie author they say books sell books and I’m sure that’s true. I look at some really prolific indie authors and wonder how they’re getting their books out so quickly, especially a few who have cracked it big in the last year or so. I think they set themselves a budget per book and are ready to spend it on editing and promotion in advance. I would suggest any new author does this. You can publish a book for almost nothing, but you probably shouldn’t. You also should have more than one book ready to go at the start.

    So I guess that’s my signal to get writing. I’m involved in an anthology that will be out in the next few days and I guess that’s the next step on the journey for me, followed by a novella I hope to release in June.

    Look out for this anthology in the next few days…I’ll remind you.
    Mad Courage Coming Soon - Promo

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    And for Musical Monday here’s today’s song. I watched How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (that Matthew McConaughey always cheers me up) and this is my favourite song from the soundtrack.

    Comment

    Sandrine Piat
    9/1/2015 05:14:06 pm

    It’s so true what you say about the ups and downs and also how you can’t just put it behind you and forget about it. It’s just always there now. I’ve only published one book so far and being the sort of laid-back dreamer that I am, I never ever expected it to be so hard to get people to buy my book. After a while, I was so depressed looking at my no-sales on Amazon that I decided to give it all up. But my wonderful sister was right there to boost me and tell me that I have to keep going. And I did. Now I just don’t look at the sales dashboard thing – not that there are any sales to look at – but it doesn’t matter. As you say, I just have to keep writing and get my second book out there and then keep going. Sometimes it’s so wonderful when someone tells you ‘hey I read your book, and loved it!’ It makes it all worth it doesn’t it. I just love your books by the way. My most recent one was Hearts afire! It was wonderful and I loved it.

  • Blog

    Musical Monday – songs that make you smile and tap your toes!

    3/16/2014

    A Fair Exchange - CoverAfter my week away I’m in a pretty good mood, even if it is a Monday.

    A Fair Exchange will be out on April 1st. That’s something to smile about. (And it has a fun cover too, right?)

    I’ve finished a short story for an anthology coming out in May, minus the polishing of course.

    I’m writing a novella that I hope will be out mid-year. For some reason this one is really flowing so I’m just going with it.

    And I’ve also started another novel that I’m really enjoying. The idea came before my strip and the location is the Whitsunday Islands so I got started on that when I was away.

    So on this Musical Monday here are a couple of upbeat songs to keep your toes tapping.

    This first song Groove is in The Heart, is an old favourite of mine. It reminds me of one of my most amazing friends (who I loosely based the character of Justin on in Mr Right and Other Mongrels).

    And another oldie – I’m a long standing Kylie Minogue fan and this song is just plain fun. (I may have owned gold hotpants back in the day, not quite this short though and ironically I wore them to see Madonna not Kylie, but that’s another story). Anyway I feel upbeat and productive so the lyrics to this seem to fit.

  • Blog

    Happy Galentines Day – #chicklitlove post…or the importance of friends

    2/12/2014

    ChickLitLove Promo Banner
    Today for #chicklitlove the theme is Galentines Day…what is this Galentines Day you ask? Ok, I’ll be honest I had no idea either but I’m totally loving it. Let’s get the fabtabulous Lesly Nope (aka Amy Poehler) to explain it to us.

     

     

     


    (For the record if Amy Poehler needs a new BFF I would be very happy to help her out.)

    So the idea is for me to talk about the gal-pals and BFF in my novel (s). This posed a problem for me because I love the female friendships in my books and so I really struggled to choose which book to write about.

    In Alphabet Dating Serena’s friends have seen her through heartbreak and through a terrible accident and then decide to set her up on 26 dates in a month in the hope she’ll find someone special based on the theory our friends know us better than anyone else. I really love her friends who all met at college and were part of an all-girl acapella group. (for the record I wrote that book long before the fabulous Pitch Perfect movie was released).

    In Mr Right and Other Mongrels Allegra’s friends are like a surrogate family for her. They’ve supported her through the difficulties of her relationship with her mother and the loss of her grandmother. These are friends who show up for each other no matter what. And the fact that they may have had a few drinks at some of my own favourite haunts just makes me love them more.

    Likewise both Holly (Building Attraction) and Cassie (Hearts Afire) have a best friend who is always there for them.

    I’d love to have a Galentine’s breakfast with all my female characters and their best friends. That would be quite the morning. I think we’d probably start with mimosas and breakfast would turn in to a very long lunch.

    In fact we’d probably end up here – a bar that features in Mr Right and Other Mongrels and that would be a fantastic day.
    Manly Wharf Night
    I try and create female friendships in my books that are real. Real friends do hang in there for each other through the highs and the lows. Real friends are your bridesmaids, your drinking companions, your shoulder during a break-up and the person you ring when you meet a new guy.

    I’m lucky to have had a great many friends like that through my life and I can’t imagine how empty my life would be without my gal pals. I don’t want to read or write about characters with empty lives and that’s why my books are full of wonderful female characters that you absolutely would want to split a frittata or a bottle of bubbly with!

    #ChickLitLove Monique McDonell Promo

  • Blog

    Character interview with Teddy Green from Mr Right and Other Mongrels for #chicklitlove !

    2/11/2014

    Jamie DurieToday as part of #chicklitlove we are getting to know Teddy Green, lifestyle TV guru, who recently had an unexpected encounter with Allegra (who you met on Monday) from

    Mr Right and Other Mongrels.

    ***

    Ok, Teddy, here we go…

    Celebrity you’ve been told you look like:

    Hmm there’s an Aussie guy I look a bit a like or so they say but I don’t see it. His name is Jamie Durie. (That’s him in the photo.)

    Naughty food you like to indulge in:

    I’m not one of these guys who watches what they eat. I work hard and I exercise so if I want a burger and chips at the end of the day I’ll have it. I like to eat healthy but I don’t sweat that stuff too much. Life is too short to deny yourself all the time.

    What you wear to bed:

    Well nothing is my preferred option or when I’m travelling which I do a lot, boxers, just in case. You only need to be scrambling for clothes in a dark hotel room when the fire alarm goes once to embrace the idea of sleeping in something.

    Favorite body part of the opposite sex:

    I’ve got to be honest with you, there isn’t much about the opposite sex I don’t like but if I have to pick one, I’m probably a boob guy.

    How many people you’ve said “I love you” to: Well now there have only been two now, if you don’t count my lovely mother.

    Relationship deal-breaker:

    I like honesty and I don’t like to be manipulated. My last girlfriend was highly manipulative so I’m not falling for that again.

    Your first kiss – How old were you? Did you instigate it?: Wow, that was in Primary School with MaryAnne Mosely. She kissed me I think, but maybe she remembers it differently.

    Do you have any tattoos or piercings? If so, describe: Actually I don’t. My mother basically said she’d kill me, and while I know I’m a grown up and it is my body, I don’t like to upset my mum.

    Favorite alcoholic drink: I work outside in the garden on my TV show and so we get pretty hot. You can’t beat a long cold beer at the end of a hot day’s work.

    Describe your dream girl: I think I’ve just met her. Dark hair, a sweet smile, a curvy body and the soul of an angel.

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