Thursday 29 September 2011

Photos, photos and more photos!

So sorry to have been gone so long, but I just couldn't drag myself away from all the fun and my family ... Wanna see what I've been up to? Here's a sneak peak (there are over 1000 photos to show for this, but I've just pulled out a handful ... well ... a fairly LARGE handful ...

Early morning, arriving on Ithaca with my cousin Jamie by sea taxi because the ferry wasn't running the night before.
Whole fam (except mother who is behind camera) in small village called Kioni. Left to right: Me, Helga (aunt), Jamie (cousin), Robyn (aunt's best friend, and now a part of the fam), Demetri (father), Melissa (cousin).
Hehehehehe ....
lunch! :o)
Frikes Bay ...

Beach ...
walking track ...


View of Vathi (main village) from highest mountain top
local cafenion ... "squark" (there was a parrot in the house)
Dinner at local restaurant ...
Aw ...
On road to Exoghi ...
On road to Exoghi ...
Exoghi ...
Exoghi ...
My parents ... :o)
Me in role of old Greek widow ...
Where Ulysses Palace is said to have been ...
Big night out ....
Stone skipping at Filiatro beach ...
Shepard trail ...
The donkey Melissa named Bert ...
Heehaw!!!
When I was 14 we had a pic like this taken, so we decided to replicate it! :o)
5:30 am waiting for taxi to take us to the port to go back to Athens ... Ugh ...
on ferry ...

On road to Athens via Delphi ...


Me giving pep talk to my sunscreen bottle ;o)

Delphi ...
Delphi ...
Freezing my butt off in Arachova ...
Back home to Athens and straight to Acropolis!
Shopping in the Plaka (old town Athens) ...
Bead heaven ...
Typical street fruit stall ...
We're "proud!" Um ... what about again?
Shopping accomplished!
Soldiers outside Parliament House (Vouli)
Jamie pretending to pinch a soldier's bottom. Naughty naughty! :o)
My family's last night in Greece on my balcony. My dog Holly falling in love with my aunt :o)

Until next Monday, folks, when I resume my normal blogging schedule :o) Have a great weekend!

Tuesday 20 September 2011

Away ... again ...

Away this week. Sorry, I've been having such a good time with my family that I forgot to let you all know! Whoops! Catcha all next week! With photos! xoxo


Thursday 15 September 2011

Best compliment I have EVAH received ...

Source
The quote below is about my short story MUTED, the one that inspired the idea for my third novel which I'm currently doing research for. Sorry to toot my own horn here, but I'm just so supah ECSTATIC...

"Reading it was one of those moments where I got writer envy and then had a publisher squee." --Jodi Cleghorn, Publisher of eMergent Publishing

So today I'm floating on clouds ... can you blame me???


What is the best compliment you've ever received?


Wednesday 14 September 2011

Watching Willow Watts Launch PARTAY!

In celebration of Talli Roland's second novel, Watching Willow Watts coming out today, she is hosting a "If I could be anyone, I'd be ..." blog party! :o) So, if I could be anyone, I'd be ...

POLLY JEAN HARVEY


... because not only is she one of the most talented singer/songwriters of all time and ... not only because her music inspires me to write music more than any other musician on this planet, but ... because, yer know ... isn't she just so sexy?


If you'd like to read my review of Talli's book CLICK HERE!
And if you'd like to purchase the book go to ...




Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/riMpmH


Tuesday 13 September 2011

Can't handle the brain fuzz ... (+ Muso of the week)

So I have a TON of research to do for my third novel, MUTED, but my fingers are itching to get tapping. Real Bad. (insert Aussie accent big time.)

Solution? Start another book? Be patient and just do all the reading I need to do? Write some random chapters I know I can accomplish with the knowledge I already possess even though I hate writing stuff out of order? (major psychological dilemma here) Write poetry even though it doesn't seem to be as fulfilling these days? (I go through phases) Write a few short stories? (no, because they'll end up sparking ideas for novels and I can't handle the brain fuzz) What's a girl to do?

Think I might have to go the 'writing two books at once' route. Start one that doesn't require research, a good old wholesome character-driven drama I can turn to when MUTED gets too complicated for my overworked brain. Mind you, this could also be unsuccessful. What if I get so into writing the new book that I abandon MUTED until I've finished writing the other one? Not good. Decisions decisions ...

What would you do?


~Muso of the week~



Style: Instrumental Trip Hop (yeah, bet that one surprised you! :o)

My Favorite Albums: What you see above!

Why I love them: An ex-boyfriend of mine introduced me to these guys when I was still in Australia. They embody the perfect groove with the perfect 'chill-out' level AND tunes that have you humming them without realizing. Gotta love a good riff that hooks you like that - even if electronic!

You can have a listen to one of my favorite tracks, Les Nuits, HERE.

Monday 12 September 2011

Opinions please! :o)

So I've written a press release for the soundtrack to String Bridge as I'm planning to push it here in Greece separately from the book as well. I've never had to write press material for music myself before, my mother always did it, being the experienced band manager in the family (she managed her own band). So I'd love your opinions! Those with music industry experience, don't be afraid to tell me it's crap ... :o)

CLICK IMAGE TO READ TEXT

PS: A writing skills book I wrote for English Language Teaching was just delivered to my door and I'm a tad excited about that too. I don't usually get excited over ELT stuff I've written, but there's something about this book that puts a little sparkle in my eye. Probably has to do with the wonderful editor I worked with at Hellenic American Union. So, thanks, Vicky! :o)