Three Over Par extract, organising myself and some baaaad footy stress

First up, for your reading pleasure, I've loaded the first chapter of Three Over Par to my website. I hope you enjoy it but please note that it's unlikely to be work-friendly.

Three Over Par Chapter One

The agenda for this week: start Pureheart edits. Yes, yes, I know, that was supposed to be last week's task but my to-do list took over and sucked all the hours from my days. It's not all bad, though. While I'm now a bit behind schedule, I can at least look at my whiteboard without experiencing that horrible half-panicky lurch I used to suffer. Plus a morning spent with my hairdresser has done wonders. It's fair to say I was beginning to look like a scarecrow and I'd forgotten how much fun it is to have a big girly gossip.

Despite all that, I'm not completely sorted. There are still plenty of tasks that need to be done before Three Over Par's release on the 26th (not to mention a trip to the dentist). So it looks like I'll have to sort my days into halves. Mornings I'll dedicate to Pureheart edits and afternoons to all the other matters. If I stick to that plan and nothing untoward happens, I should keep on top of things.

Should being the operative word!

ODDS & SODS

Writers Weekly are running a short story contest that sounds like fun. Register beforehand and when the time comes you'll be emailed the mystery topic and word count. You then have 24 hours to write and submit your short story. There's plenty of prizes on offer so if you like challenge, why not give it a go?

The Huffington Post had an article titled Jane Austin's Hair, Dickins' Dog Collar: 9 Of The Most Surprising Auctioned Author Memorabilia (via Shelf Awareness). Yes, someone really did pay over $9,000 for Dickins' toothpick. Extraordinary!

Writer's Digest posed a good question: Can you use someone else's character in your book? Interesting comment about fan fiction in the article.

And one of my favourites, the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest. Click here for this year's winning entry and a giggle.

SYDNEY SWANS NEWS (because if I didn't support the Swans, what would I do with my signed Tony Lockett picture?)

We lost. To Richmond. The last placed team on the ladder. By 4 pathetic points. I'm trying hard not to sulk over the result but I feel like a bit fat slug has slimed my brain with loser goo. Our performance was very lacklustre and the drive to win sometimes seemed non-existent. So unlike the Swannies I know and love. Whatever's ailing my team needs to be fixed fast. It's causing me too much stress.

Having said that, I was thrilled when former Canadian rugby international Mike Pyke kicked his first goal in AFL. He's been a wonderful recruit, amazing in the ruck and as for that body...ooh la la!

In case you missed it, here it is again.




Next Sunday afternoon we take on the North Melbourne Kangaroos at the SCG. We're 8th on the ladder, the Roos are 9th. It's going to be a tough one.