Castle News

My conversations with Lexy were varied and interesting. There were a few side quests along the way, but we always returned to the pathway in the end. I enjoy it when it is like that, diverting. It is interesting and tends to align with my own thought processes. I hope that you can follow the line of conversation as we spoke on the show.

I don't know when it started, date wise, but I met Dianna some time in 2024. She'd just started up BCP Creations and wanted to put out a collaborative novella series.

Book 9 of the Otherworldly Emergence Speculative Fictions Novella series is Baby Fang by Olivia Krein. This story has had a couple of different title over the course of its creation but the story concept has held strong throughout. Olivia has been very active in the writers group, open to sharing her ideas and helping out. She is passionate and inspiring and I hope that people enjoy the story when it comes out.

I am returned this day to answer your queries. Although there have been many, I will only answer questions three. Your patience and understanding will be rewarded in well-considered responses. The demands on my time are high and the answers I provide will sate the most curious mind.

There is an alignment that settles over me when I get up early in the morning compared to sleeping in. I feel as though sleeping in equals missing out on so much. Normally it isn't a dramatic sleep in. But a sleep in none the less makes me feel like I didn't do what I was meant to. I think this is something that I need to work on. I was riding every day in the mornings but that fell through after a time and I didn't even get a chance to see the sunrise. I would get up with h

I was so excited to do this interview with Cecilia. I am a fan of the Pitt, Greys Anatomy, Chicago Med and a bunch of other medical dramas. Not as much of a fans as Cecilia who literally wrote the book on it. Working as a Dr IRL has come through was inspiration for her. I have just received a copy of her first 2 books and I am confident there will be so much more from this talented new author.

Book three is another darker spec fic. and I have had to hold myself back from sharing what beasties are making an appearance on this one. Inheritance by Felix Nolan is a grittier story doesn't hold anything back. When the premise was pitched for this book it peeped out of the shadows with alluring potential. I wanted to know more! There were layers of intrigue in place from the beginning and I wanted to know the answers. Felix had familial history established and worldbuil

I was really excited to put out this interview because I was the guest! It was a little topsy turvy to come in as a guest on my own show, but I really enjoyed the experience. Izzy, the sound girl was gracious and patient with me. I was focussed on limiting my nervous ticks throughout the interview as I am aware of how challenging that is to edit.

If you have been around for a while then you will know that I am so proud of the all the Authors in the Otherworldly Emergence Speculative Fiction Novella Series. If you are new, then I recommend looking at some of the other posts I have written about because the journey has been an enlightening one for all involved. From the beginning, this Author April Mae has collaborated with an open mind and generous spirit. Her pitch was succinct and well considered. Her quiet natur

So, write-ins. Why do we do them?

There is such a thoughtful and considered product with so many complimentary products that Vanessa has considered throughout her business that it is worth a serious look for small business people.

Bushland Castle Productions has just opened the gates for 2 writing Scroll competitions. A Speculative fiction challenge that focusses on the Catalyst of change and a Memoir challenge that focusses on the heritage that built your foundation. The team are excited to work through the submissions and the Council of Quills have been assembled.

It is a small world at times. You meet people who know people from other aspects of their/your life. This was the case with Gaye. Turns out she is well acquainted with my Mum and I was known as Selva's Daughter. It has been a while since I have been called as that. The spiritual element that Gaye shares within her stories aligns with the peaceful existence I grew up with and what she talks about in her stories.

I was interviewing someone for the podcast recently and I asked who their ideal writing avatar was. This is something that I was introduced to when I first started the podcast in 2018 and it has popped up in writing circle, marketing plans and business development. Who is your ideal client/student/reader/listener. What do they look like, what are they passionate about, when to they find time to listen to podcasts/read books/hang around on social media?

I am a writer. It is something that brings me joy. A big part of being a writer is reading. Reading widely with intent and reading widely for the sheer joy of it. I was sitting at my desk the other day and I just finished reading one of the Novellas that is currently at the beta phase. This was a fantastic opportunity, as beta reading often is, to note where I am engaged/excited, where I am conflicted/confused and if there are any parts within the story that push me out/pul

At the end of February I thought that is would be a fabulous idea to undertake a mindfulness challenge for March. I didn't want to over complicate it. The activities had to be completed within 5 minutes a day. I wanted to highlight the multiple techniques that would calm the mind and help reframe your mindset when in stressful situations. After alll, the best way to learn a different technique is when you are calm. Practicing something new may help add that skill to your ment

So, we all know that writing a novel, novella or even a saga can be a soloist performance. But sometimes it doesn't have to be. Are there times when you wish you had someone to throw ideas around with? To brainstorm with or just have a chat with?

I am content to admit that I am a bit of a chocaholic. I can't really eat as much as I would have when I was younger... the minute on the lips saying seems to be literal after 40. So when I saw a book with Chocolate in large print it was like a homing beacon. Then seeing the title, I'd rather eat chocolate I was instantly curious. But there are secret depth hidden within the tale. It is certainly worth having a look.

I thought that it would be fun to start and daily post within the Bushland Pages community. Something that will help people try mindfulness for at least 5 minutes a day. These activities are short and things that you most likely already do every day. I am just writing it down and suggesting people give it a go. People have been sharing their reflections with me and it has been great to hear some of the creative interpretations of these different activities.

One of the tips that Torah mentioned in the interview was to not get overwhelmed and take it one step at a time with the publication of a book. There is much more to this creative than meets the eye and I am confident we will see more from her in the future.