A Story in my head buzzing hard

I spent a day lost in the magical light of Norman Lindsay’s home at Springwood.

Can you beat a drystone wall? I grew up loving them and they still have the power to charm.

Wandering into the bush with notebook in hand, it’s easy to believe Norman’s statues are luring you into another world.

A smaller magic outside my writing shed where my David Austin Prince rose proudly displayed its first bloom.

 

The  magical perfume so divine to savour. Hopefully a good omen for my current mystery novel.

 

And I must let you know of an event I will be taking place in for Better Read than Dead bookshop and Newtown  Library Tuesday 31st July . It’s Talking Heads with Josephine Pennicott. I know this is very advance notice and will update nearer to the time. Places will be limited but you can book through the library online or on  8512 4250. Would love to see all who could make it come along so we can chat murder, mystery, families, bohemians, secrets, Tasmanian sea-fishing villages, writing tips and a host of other fascinating topics. Here is the beautiful Newtown library I  shall be chatting in.

I’m really looking forward to seeing The Mousetrap in Sydney with the Sydney Theatre company performing Agatha Christie’s classic.

 I first saw The Mousetrap in St Martin’s Theatre with David in London’s West End and it remains one of my favourite theatre experiences. (Followed closely by The Woman in Black).

This week I also went to my bookclub at Better Read than Dead to discuss Craig Silvey’s feisty and wonderful mystery novel, Jasper Jones.

My daughter has just told me she has a story in her head and it’s buzzing hard. I know the feeling.

This weekend I am going to try to find some time to sit in the autumn sunshine with these two pink magazines I picked up today. I love the beautiful Christy Turlington’s feature in the gentlewoman (one of my favourite magazines).

This photograph of Johnny Depp was doing the rounds on Facebook and of course I cant’ resist ending this post with his sage and beautiful words. Thank you for visiting me. Stay creative. xx

Remember, murder lurks around every corner…

AWW Challenge book review: Poet’s Cottage by Josephine Pennicott

AWW Challenge book review: Poet’s Cottage by Josephine Pennicott.

Fairies Welcome

We’ve just returned from a joyful week in the mountains.

Josephine Pennicott working on the first draft of Currawong Manor

I caught up with old friends over pots of tea and marshmallow hot chocolates. Filled a notebook with ideas and inspirations from the great muse the bush.

Walked for hours marvelling over the Autumn colours and inhaling the  joyful scent of the bush soaked after heavy rain falls.

Daisy

I finished the first draft of Currawong Manor and got ideas for at least seven more books. The bush is always generous to me with ideas…

No television, no internet just some excellent books and our imaginations.

And the mountain fairies were of course all welcome.

Better Read than Dead

A quick post before my daughter and I catch the train up the mountain. Thank you to both Gayle and the lovely Better Read Than Dead bookstore in Newtown for sending me the following images of Poet’s Cottage in their window display.

Poet's Cottage in the window of Better Read than Dead Newtown

If you would like a signed copy of Poet’s Cottage (with Mother’s Day approaching it would make a fab gift) from Better Read Than Dead, I will pop into their store and sign one for you – just ask them when you place the order.

xx

 

When you are old and beautiful

In Lockdown

Hello, I am away for a week in my mountain bolt-hole to finish the first draft of my current mystery book.

I will be taking my laptop but there’s no internet access so anything urgent will have to wait until I return.

David will be staying at home so we will be writing in different towns.

Last night I saw The Best Exotic Hotel Marigold with Artschool Annie. Critics mightn’t have warmed to this one but I loved it as it reminded me so much of my time in India.

When I am old (and beautiful) I want to stay at the Best Exotic Hotel Marigold for the old and beautiful. A very charming movie with some great depth to the characters.

And for those who missed it, here is the file of my interview with Blanche Clark which ran in the Melbourne Sunday Herald.

I shall add that to my slowly getting there media section. I am very slow with updating my website, But as the character Sonny, says in The Best Exotic Hotel Marigold, ‘ everything will be alright in the end. And so if it’s not all right. It’s not the end.’ Enjoy your week. Keep creative. Thank you for visiting me. xx

Rainbow on a rainy night

Hello,

the beautiful Belinda Alexandra is not only a wonderful storyteller but also happens to be an angel when it comes to helping out wildlife and animals. And so when she requested I help to try to place this very pretty rescue cat, Rainbow I couldn’t resist.

 I’d take her myself except my Smuchie cat would never speak to me again. If you live in Sydney and could provide a loving home for Rainbow, then all the information you need for her is HERE

I was sent this beautiful photo today of Poet’s Cottage at the airport. And friends have been kindly sending me photos of when they see my book out in the wild making her way.

Here’s a link also to a recent radio interview that I did with Penny Terry of ABC Tasmania if you would care to listen HERE.

And apart from that – it is school holidays. I have been busy with playdates, cinema and trying to finish the first draft of my latest mystery.

Tonight it is raining in Sydney. The weather has suddenly become crisp and cold and I’m heading to bed with Agatha Christie. xx

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. – from The Lorax by Dr Seuss

Doing the bed dance

carla - image by carla coulson

I’m so thrilled to announce that I won the photo shoot in Sydney with the amazing Carla Coulson. I’ve loved Carla’s work for years and so I cannot wait to meet her in person (and it’s also perfect timing for a scene in my current book that I’m writing). Although I’m nervous at the thought of being photographed by her – I’m overjoyed that I shall be able to work her work at such close range. Thank you, Carla for selecting me and if you don’t know her work – check out her beautiful new website HERE and I highly recommend all her books if you enjoy photography. xx

Poet’s Cottage in Good Reading

Hello,

The current edition of Good Reading magazine (April 2012) in Australia features an extract from my Reader’s Letter in Poet’s Cottage. It’s a two-page spread and features personal photographs taken at Stanley when I was first inspired by the sea-fishing village. It also has photos of some of the books I used for research.

Here is a link to the Good Reading magazine website HERE where you can purchase a copy online. It is a very lovely layout so thank you, Good Reading Magazine!

I’ve done another couple of radio interviews this week. On Thursday I’ll be speaking with Penny Terry from ABC Tasmania for the Statewide Afternoon programme. I’ll let you know when it will be aired.

On Monday I spoke with David Woods from ULTRA 106.5 – this one is meant to go to air this Saturday in Hobart at 9.20am, all going to plan.

And that is all for now my birds as I am very weary and going to curl up with my book. Thank you for visiting me. xx

Muses and Photography

So many lovely and special things are happening that I can’t keep up with it all.

Last Sunday I was a cover-girl for the Sunday Tasmanian which was totally fab.

My interview with Blanche Clark of the Herald Sun (Melbourne) ran this weekend, which you can read at this link HERE – soon I’ll add a proper media section for all Poet’s Cottage related articles and reviews.

I’ve also done a few radio interviews – I’ll post dates of when they go to air when I get a moment.

Josephine Pennicott in the Herald Sun. Interview by Blanche Clark

The wonderful Carla Coulson is holding a competition where you can win a photo shoot with her in either Sydney or Paris. I didn’t want to share this, being a true Scorpio woman who is determined to win when she wants something. I’ve admired and loved Carla’s work for years and followed her Blog from its humblest beginnings to the incredible Blog it has become. And one of my dreams was that Carla would photograph me one day, as I would love to see her at work.

But to be fair (and to hopefully score more points for me to win because I blogged about it as well! It’s that ruthless Scorpio thing)… here’s the link HERE. But you have to be quick as the competition closes on the 3rd April. See, I told you but I didn’t give you long…

Carla is the person who inspired me to purchase this magnificent Monica Bellucci photography book which is far more divine in the flesh than here. The red trimmed pages and the smell of this glorious massive book has to be experienced. My husband must think this is the best book that has ever come into the house with all its Monica nudes. And so if you wish to channel your inner-Bellucci then head to Carla Coulson’s Blog to enter. And if you do happen to win, don’t forget who sent you…

One of my favourite images of Monica and her husband Vincent.

 

Check back later in the week to read about a pretty cat called Rainbow and bones, friendship, women and story. Thank you for visiting me. XX