An original photo of Christopher Robin and Pooh Bear sent to me on the Internet. It is not a surprise that this boy inspired the Pooh Bear books. He looks totally absorbed in his bear.
These are two of my inspirations: Millie and Jack.
When reading for fun, do you usually choose fiction or non-fiction? Do you have an idea why you prefer one over the other?
Today the wind is blowing a gale, I’d love to curl up in a chair and read. Instead, I must get to the garden and fit in a walk before the forecast rain comes late this afternoon. I read both fiction and non fiction.
I adore fiction and losing myself in a story. At the moment I’m reading a discarded book from the library. (They sell off unwanted books for a ridiculously low price). Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian author writes with a spiritual slant. ‘The Alchemist’ was one of his books. This book is called ‘Briola’, about a young woman trying to find her path. To be blunt, I’m looking forward to my next book, something to get my teeth into.
Reading stories set in Italy inspire me. ‘The Promise’, by Australian author, Lisa Clifford is well written and brought back many memories for me. Another, ‘A Thousand Days in Venice’, Marlena de Blasi, set in that romantic city. Of course there are the many Donna Leon detective stories, in the laid back Venetian environment, where there’s always a delightful meal and time with the family.
Frances Fyfield and Alice Munro have been authors I’ve sought out and enjoyed.
Having seen Tara Moss in a debate, I was impressed with her approach to life. I ordered her autobiography from the library, ‘The Fictional Woman.’ She leads an interesting life, but this book I skimmed, as it’s not for me. Of recent times I’ve read quite a few biographies and autobiographies, some good, others not, may be I’m getting more picky as time passes.
A good book can come in many guises, but once found, treasure it.
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/the-great-divide/
To get back to answering M-R’s (via Huntie) requested questions:
http://margaretrosestringer.com
At the moment I am editing a YA story called ‘Angels Behind the Scenes’.
This story is probably in the fantasy genre. Throughout my life I have been fascinated by life after death. Death and beyond are topics most adults like to leave alone. Children seem to be far more open and accepting of death. I am writing about death as part of life, leaving any fear behind.
Starting in my youth, writing was always something I could do without incurring expense. It has also allowed me to express frustrations that could not be spoken about. Burning reams of written rantings, poetry, received letter, diaries and stories before moving to Melbourne in 2000 was quite cathartic.
Allowing my thoughts to flow means that much editing is needed. I get over excited when I complete a story and have let myself down sending off manuscripts before completion. The ideal for me would be to have an agent, to do the difficult part of finding a publisher. My first illustrated children’s book was sent off to 16 publishers. The two most encouraging responses gave me confidence to send them further manuscripts. ‘Lily’s Wish’ was accepted and published in 2011 by New Frontier Publishers in Sydney. Serena Geddes illustrates this book. It is a Christmas story about a child writing to Santa and asking for wings so that she can fly.
As far as my memoir, ‘Enduring Threads’ is concerned, it may never see the light of day.
My most precious thing, that fills me with most joy, is my library.
In fact it is our library. Religiously we go to the Hastings Library on the Mornington Peninsula where the friendly staff welcome us. It’s a small library by city standards. Books can be ordered from the bigger libraries, and the books get recycled between four libraries.
When I am not blogging, yes, I do have another life. Gardening, cooking, ironing, allow me to listen to audio books. Chris listens to stories as he paints. We are then able to discuss which ones we think are successful and why the others don’t come up to scratch.
We have discovered many genres previously unexplored. If we don’t like them we just start another. Popular choices are often crime fiction, from the gentle Donna Leon stories set in Venice, to popular Patricia Cornwell and many in between. Books of course are a separate bedtime activity. We read till we can’t keep our eyes open and allow the soporific effect to take us to an exciting dream world that we both fully participate in.
Without books our world would be quite colourless. (sorry, we Australians still like to use ‘u’ in some of our words).
Barbara Pyett 