Miranda's April Musings

How Do You Choose What To Read Next?

Part One!

It's a problem, isn't it? You read a super good book, sigh, cry, hug it to your heart, kiss the cover (er, not that I'm admitting to that...), etc. etc., and put it on the keeper shelf. (Maybe stuff it somewhere on the keeper shelf might be a better description. Or make space where there is none and ruthlessly shove it in, aha...) Oh, the desolation at having finished! Will there ever be another book so wonderful, so moving, so thrilling, so romantic?

My gorgeous new mug, ooh ooh.

The answer is, and I'm not making this up, of course there will. Take heart, mes amies, there is always a teetering tottering tower of romance to choose from. Thank you, romance writers, I love you all!

The very second, and even before (don't you love that pre-ordering function from Amazon?) one of the marvellous ladies from this blog - Marilyn Forsyth, Cassandra Samuels, Karen Davis I'm looking at you - publishes a newie, it's pre-ordered in a flash. Happy day when it arrives on my Kindle as Marilyn's book recently did; and I'm anticipating Karen's book eagerly. Sharon Burke and Enisa Haines, it won't be long now... 💕💕

Photo credit: http://marilynforsyth.com.au/

Photo Credit: http://www.karenmdavis.com/books.html

And when I simply and utterly love a book to bits, I also love the function on Amazon that says: Customers who bought this item also bought - and there's your reading list for the next two months. Or two years. Scroll down and see it here, for Marilyn's first book. There's also the Top 100 Bestselling Romance feature on Amazon, which is fun to browse through. Total clickbait for me.

In my neck of the woods, Sydney, Australia, we have some fabulous bookstores which draw me in as shiny diamonds attract others. I'm talking Dymocks, Abbey's, Berkelouw Books, and Harry Hartog. If you're drawing a blank about what to read next, pay your fave local bookshop a visit, stay a while, drool a little, and you will come out with treasures.

Me? I just have to scroll through my Kindle (overstuffed, ridiculously so) or my shelves (ditto), and I'm spoilt for choice. I never seem to have a problem about what book to read next.

Funny thing, that.

What about you?

Love from Miranda xxx

Love to love: Easter eggs. I think I've just consumed my body weight in them plus hot cross buns. Love this time of year!

Love to laugh: At my TBR list. Psst, confession: I think even if I live to be 1,000 years old I'll never read all the books waiting for me. But I'll give it a jolly good shot.

Love to love: Knowing all those excellent reads will happen. I am ever the optimist.

Ain't Love Grand? Yes it is! RWAustralia Conference Round-Up.

By Cassandra Samuels

Is it that time of year again already? August is when RWAustralia has their annual Romance Writers Conference. This year in the picturesque Grand Stamford in Glenelg, Adelaide.

Photo by Cassandra Samuels

It's a time to nervously pitch that story to an agent or editor. To go to workshops and listen to keynote speakers and hopefully, have a light bulb moment or two. It's a great place to meeting old friends and make new ones.

We are very lucky here at Breathless in the Bush to have an inaugural member of RWAustralia as one of our own, Enisa.  Karen is also a member of this group and daughter of the founding member of RWAustrallia Lynne Wilding. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of Romance Writers Australia and how very far we have come from those very early days.


Enisa gave a wonderful speech at the opening of the conference about her friendship with Lynne and how RWAustralia came about. She used a quote from the movie Field of Dreams to express the the founding members hope for the organisation. "If we build it will they come?" The answer, of course, was YES!

Photo by Cassandra Samuels

The cocktail party was a fun event, made even more so by the fact that the First Sale Ribbons were given out this year. Both Karen M Davis and Marilyn Forsyth received a ribbon this year.

Photo by Cassandra Samuels

And I may have picked up a little something myself at the Awards Gala Dinner.

Photo by Cassandra Samuels

The conference keynote speakers were wonderful this year. Here are a few memorable quotes.

Michael Hauge

Photo by Enisa Haines

"You must elicit emotion in your reader"
"Stories at their core, are built on a simple foundation consisting of character, desire and Conflict."




Nikko and Jim McGoldrick

Photo by Cassandra Samuels

"To be a writer you need to be a glass half full type of person."
Nikko writes because, "It's the only time you can kidnap someone and it be legal.
Jim writes because, "In the fictional world we create, good can conquer evil."
Nikko writes because, "If I don't write my life is incomplete."
Jim writes beause, "I touch peoples lives and there is value in that."

Fiona McIntosh

Photo by Cassandra Samuels

Fiona made us laugh and think.
"A clear theme is crucial, especially for marketing."
"Where is the heartbeat of your story?"
"Fall in love with your male character and you'll be on the road to success."
"Write down your goals and then get on with it."
"Stop questioning the universe. The only way to find out if you're good enough is to do it."

One of the workshops that I really enjoyed was the, Honour and Honourable Quarrels - Dueling in the Age of Romance by Nic and Shay. What a comprehensive and informative workshop it was.

Photo by Cassandra Samuels

Love to Love - Catching up with all my author friends

Love to learn - About the business and craft of writing.

Love to Laugh - at the entertaining keynote speakers

Breathless Places

By Cassandra Samuels 

I love to know where writers and readers spend their time, don't you? The places where they dream and are inspired. Whether it is reading or writing, we all have a place that makes us feel empowered so as a fun post for this week I am revealing our very own Breathless places.

First up is Dee, who loves to have her furry friend Rosebud by her side while writing.

Rosebud Poppimonster Scully

Dee says: My writing place is anywhere my dog is. I’ve tried cafes and the library but I can never really focus. Maybe too much is happening around me. I even struggle when I’m sitting at my desk sometimes, but if my Rosie is sitting near me when I start to lose concentration I reach over, give her a cuddle and I’m able to get right back to whatever I’m working on. Distraction averted!

Miranda, our very own book reviewer, has her favourite reading place. It is her comfy pink recliner. No wonder. How inviting does it look? Miranda  says it is perfectly situated for her in this nice sunny spot near the fireplace with her current To-Be-Read pile at arm's length. Now you know why she can bring us such a fantastic array of wonderful book recommendations.

Miranda finds reading bliss in her comfy recliner.

Our newest published member, Marilyn (author of The Farmer's Perfect Match), tells us why she loves her writing space: Although it's not particularly clear in this photo, my writing cave is painted a beautifully serene peacock blue. At my corner-nook desk I'm surrounded by books (reference), pens and paper (for when the words won't flow on the computer), a citrus candle (ambience), my honey bear (to remind me to write every day), and other things I love (like my mini Jamie Fraser cutout - thank you, Cassie.)

You're welcome Marilyn. Every desk should have a pop-up Jamie! . Can you spot him?

Marilyn loves her writing cave.

Enisa describes her breathless place: Ideally surrounded by glowing candles and powerful crystals, I sit in a rustic cabin by a river in the midst of a forest and type away. The soothing sounds of nature enhance rather than disturb my creativity and my muse is happy.

Photography courtesy of Mark Lafontan

In reality, I type on my desktop computer in my home office (when writing time is abundant), or on my netbook in the living room (if time is sparse). I write in silence (music and chatter distract my creativity far too much). Inspirational quotes and precious crystals are scattered about. I'm big on positive energy. And the words flow.

Enisa Haines' writing space is surrounded by some of her favourite writing inspirations.

Karen M Davis shares with us her Breathless place: This is my messy study. I love writing here because it is my space. I close the door, put earplugs in so I don't get distracted by outside noise and start writing.
I hear you Karen. A lively house can be very distracting. I use headphones.

Karen's desk shows she is busy creating.

Sharon Burke's dream writing space.

'I have always wanted my own writing space. I have written two non-fiction books, one work of fiction, and several short stories and articles on a shared family computer. Earlier this year, I was given a laptop. I have just managed to acquire a roll top desk - something I have always wanted. My own writing space - finally!
I am so excited. Looking forward to restoring the desk, putting it in our study nook and enjoying the privilege of writing in my own space.'

Imagine how good this desk will be for Sharon's creative pursuits once it has been restored.

As for me? My writing space is lucky last. As you can see I like to have lots of things on my desk; it's in a corner of my bedroom so I don't really have anywhere else to put these things. I love being surrounded by some of my favourite reference books and notebooks. My desk is guarded by my Game of Thrones boys (Tyrion, Jon Snow and Rob Stark), and Loki also causes mischief here. My RWAust First Sale Ribbon has pride of place, as well. You might even see a pop up Jamie somewhere there.

When I am not writing at my desk I write in bed on my laptop, especially in winter. You have to keep the muse warm, you know.

Where do you love to write or read? What is your Breathless Place? Let me know in the comments.

Love to Love... my headphones. They are the most comfortable set I've ever had and are noise-cancelling as well. They let me escape into my Regency world and forget about reality.

Love to laugh...  at the new Bridget Jones movie trailer. Are you planning on seeing it?

Love to Learn...  about other writers' creative spaces and processes.