<![CDATA[ Ellie  Royce<br />    Author - Blogiosity]]>Tue, 01 May 2012 19:24:59 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Where's the funnybone gone?]]>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:12:30 -0800http://www.ellieroyce.com/1/post/2012/04/wheres-the-funnybone-gone.htmlI'm working on a new  work in progress,. Once again, no vampire. No werewolves. No Demons OR angels. What am I DOING? and WHY AM I DOING IT?!!!!! I don't know. But I read this blog on humour in young adult writing this morning which I loved ...
  http://writingteennovels.com/2012/04/25/cheer-up-emo-kid-humour-in-young-adult-fiction/ and it cheered me right up. If only the publishers agreed!
]]><![CDATA[Young Adult Chick lit- what is this thing called Chick Lit?]]>Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:50:02 -0800http://www.ellieroyce.com/1/post/2011/04/young-adult-chick-lit-what-is-this-thing-called-chick-lit.htmlI may be opening a can of worms here, but I've recently read too many posts on too many blogs (yes, I have just finished writing a book so I do have a bit of spare time for a change)
that imply the genre of chicklit is the fairy floss of the literary world. Well call me Tinkerbell, because I love it and I know plenty of other women (and some uber cool men..) who do too.
The thing I love about reading and writing Chick lit is the aspect of TRANSFORMATION that the heroines experience. My preference is for stories that contain a good dose of humour as well, believing as I do that life can be funny AND tragic, sometimes both within nanoseconds of each other, a perfect example being the wonderful "Is Anybody Out There?" by Marian Keyes. I know at least one person who was actually helped through her own difficult time by this book- not a self help book or a counsellor , but by a hunk of "Fairy Floss".
As I state in my page on this site YA Chick Lit- WTH is  THAT?   it's not neccesarily a transformation from caterpillar to butterfly,that draws the reader in to these books, sometimes it's a transformation into a self confident, sassy, life loving caterpillar who makes the butterlies green with envy that makes us grin, tear up and cheer for our heroine. Sometimes it's her family, sometimes her man, sometimes fate, that sends her on her journey to transformation. Sometimes there's romance, sometimes there isn't. We don't all get a Royal Wedding, right? 
Don't get me wrong, I love a  literary novel, I love fantasy, I even love non-fiction and read them all regularly. But If these are the meat and potatoes then Chick lit isn't fairy floss, it's chocolate. And who doesn't  love and respect  some chocolate ?  
]]><![CDATA[The Write Fantastic]]>Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:38:12 -0800http://www.ellieroyce.com/1/post/2010/08/the-write-fantastic.htmlWell it’s been a while! Is it just me or has anyone else noticed how faaaast time seems to be moving these days? It feels like last week when I was making my new year’s writing resolutions and now it’s almost September and I haven’t really done much about them so far- apart from editing and re-writing my current WIP (that’s work in progress for any non-writng types out there….)which has actually been a major project so I’m happy that at least I’ve accomplished one of the tasks I’ve set myself. I’ve had this MS sitting around supposedly “finished” for over 12 months-had some very kind rejections from two publishers-”We really liked it- passed it around the office and everyone enjoyed it but… then they go on to say that they just didn’t feel it  had the commercial potential etc. etc…

Then suddenly, at 3am one morning I woke up feeling just like Archimedes in his bath (the bloke who shouted “Eureka!”) I didn’t shout “Eureka” because that would have severely interfered with the sleep of the rest of the household and made them very cranky- but I did creep out to the computer and feverishly make copious notes on how I needed to edit this MS- what needed to be added.Then I went back to bed and slept like a log. After much hard work this new and improved version has been sent out on it’s first foray into Publisherland. I love writing. It is fantastic. It’s hard and sometimes depressing and often frustrating but…. it’s fantastic and fun and exciting and fulfilling as well. (A bit like motherhood, no?)

Right now I’m taking a little bit of time to smell the roses (or, at least I’d smell them if I could- can’t smell anything much due to a nasty bout of Lurgi). Isn’t it funny how sometimes life forces you to take a step back and just chill. Even though I feel rotten I’m appreciating the chance to stay in my Jim Jams all day and read a few books- what? read?  I must say reading has been rare and precious event in my life of late, hence the lack of posts on this blog. Being housebound and at a bit of a loose end, I raided my daughters stash and came up with two beauties- an oldie but a goodie “Jane Eyre”  and a book I’m yet to begin but am excited about “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd which came out in 2002 apparently- I’ve totally missed out on this one! So thank you Lurgi- you’ve given me the chance to rest- update my webpages and blogs and read to my hearts content.]]><![CDATA[What's in a name?]]>Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:50:11 -0800http://www.ellieroyce.com/1/post/2010/02/whats-in-a-name.html
Well, this carries on from my blog last Tuesday “Norway, Sweden you rock!!” regarding the immensely exciting event of my book “Amy’s Secret” being published in Sweden and also Norway (but in Norway it’s called “Susan’s Secret”). I was moved to wonder why they changed the name in Norway and the lovely Kaia made the following comment.(Which you can read if you go back to aforementioned blog…)



 She says-”Oh man. I’m Swedish, and I’m glad they didn’t change the name here! They do that sometimes, though there is no reason to do so, for example it took me until I was a teenager and then some to figure out why everyone abroad called Kitty Drew NANCY Drew. Yes, her name is Kitty here. No idea why. In the Harry Potter books they translate some of the last names into hilarity. Needless to say, it’s a long time since I stopped reading translated works… Most still read them, but I just can’t stomach it. “

Which also ties in with my experience with google translator- it was very funny. Thanks Kaia!

But my point for this blog is- (you knew I’d get here eventually, didn’t you?) Can you imagine- KITTY Drew? I mean,I read all those books as a kid and blow me down, it’s quite odd to think of  Nancy as Kitty. So I started thinking- along the same lines as the immortal bard- would a rose called by any other name still be as sweet?

For example- would” Bradley Potter” have cut the mustard?Would “Geoffrey Cullen” still be an immortal hero?What about “Ratso Baggins?” “Betty in Wonderland?” “Agnes and the Seven Dwarfs?”

You could argue that the name doesn’t make the story- as our friend from Sweden points out- she thought that “Nancy” was an odd name, having grown up with ‘Kitty’ and in my own case I believe ‘Susan’ fits the character- but it’s just an odd experience to have a real live fictional charcter that I invented and know quite well suddenly named something else.It's quite intriguing- no?
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]]><![CDATA[Norway and Sweden, you rock!!!!]]>Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:43:11 -0800http://www.ellieroyce.com/1/post/2010/02/norway-and-sweden-you-rock.htmlPicture
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 HOW EXCITED AM I? REALLY, REALLY EXCITED!!!!!!!!! Over a year ago I was informed that my first in the Letterbook Series “Amy’s Secret” had

sold to Norway and Sweden. Foreign rights! OOh, exciting. Then, of course, as is the way with all publishing………..nothing. Waiting. Nothing… waiting. But… as you can see… at last..

HERE THEY ARE!!!! In Norwegian (does Amy Translate as “Susan”? Don’t know why they changed her name?) and Swedish!!!!(She’s still Amy in Sweden, obviously.) Do I seem incoherent with thrillednessness? because I am. My first books published in a language I CAN”T UNDERSTAND!!!!!!!

(Thank goodness for Google translator and let me tell you- the translation is totally hilarious.)

HUZZAH! Off to open champagne! (Yeah, I know, I know, any excuse but… whoopee!)
]]><![CDATA[Never Mind The Plastic]]>Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:04:49 -0800http://www.ellieroyce.com/1/post/2009/12/never-mind-the-plastic.html.Firstly the best of 2009- I was working full time all year and was living in a land of floods which put a serious dent in both the time and money areas of my life- HOWEVER….. I was able to travel to Brisvegas twice (this was in February before the ‘weather events’!!!!???? started) to visit my daughter who (choke…sniff…) left home for Uni this year. I went once with the spouse and once with my other daughter and we had a total whale of a time, taking silly pictures of ourselves in the Museum, and trawling all the book stores, record stores and opshops in Brisbane.A treasure of a time. Next- my younger daughter graduated from Year 12 and had her formal- silly, crazy, over the top (although luckily for me she’s quite sensible and low key but still looked gorgeous) another milestone moment. Then came the hades of living with a person who is attempting tocomplete the HSC (for the second time, eldest did it 2 years ago) and realising that it’s now ALL OVER. (Until the grandkids do whatever it is they’ll do…)

Phew. And finally, the other two best moments were getting the news that my “Letterbook Series” has been sold to a publisher who is publishing it in Norway and Sweden (How cool is that.. can’t wait to see what it looks like in Swedish!)And FINALLY finishing my novel for the 13-17 year old age group that has been slowly evolving over the last 2 years and sending it off to my lovely patient agent.Yipee!

Now as to ’tis the season stuff, for me it’s all about the  family ritual.I’ve realised this may be the last year we’ll all be together the way we were as a family(next year there will be boyfriends, geographical issues and so forth to contend with) and I’ve really made sure I enjoy all the little things like putting up the tree and decos (My youngest took over my role as Christmas tree nazi about two years ago and now I’m the one who hides the decos the kids made in pre-school around at the back of the tree…)which involves watching ‘Scrooged” whilst arguing about what goes on and what stays off, eating a sumptuous platter of stuff that’s no good for you but should be cos it tastes so good like olives, salami, smoked oysters and cheese and biccies and sipping a nice glass of something cold of the vino persuasion for Me and Fajer and soft drink for them. It’s a great afternoon!

Then there’s the discussion about THE FOOD- planning THE MENU and working out how best to have it as prepped as possible so that as much of the day as poss can be spent at the beach.Honestly, the presents don’t really come into it as much for me as all this other stuff except when we sit around and have a big “wrap up” (get it?) evening where we wrap and talk and laugh and I make pudding- oh and I forgot the last big ritual- the Victoria’s Secret parade. It used to be the Christmas Pageant when the girls were little but times have changed and this is a rite we wouldn’t miss- sitting around and critiquing the models, their outfits and the wings.

I know I’m getting at least one book for Christmas, the new Marian Keyes novel- and I have a library list as long as your arms and legs  put together of YA I want to catch up on. Just finished The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown and quite liked it.Got my daugher a book Called “The Gates of Hell are About To Open- Mind The Gap” which I think I’ll have to borrow as soon as she’s read it(Or maybe as soon as she’s opened it…) It looks very funny.

So enjoy each other and all those little things and never mind the plastic. See you next year!]]><![CDATA[Writing resolutions for 2010]]>Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:20:28 -0800http://www.ellieroyce.com/1/post/2009/12/writing-resolutions-for-2010.htmlYes, I know it's not even half way through December yet BUT- I've been doing some serious thinking about how I can increase my writng time for next year. I have 3 books buzzing around in my head at the moment, having just finished one- two more have appeared to take it's place along with the one that's been waiting for me to start it all year.
I've decided to purchase some voice recognition software on the advice of a friend. Not being a touch typist, I'm hoping it will help me get that first dirty draft down fast and then I can edit. I am also going to rejoin the excellent Romance Writers of Australia society, and continue to blog with happiness in conjunction with the other fabbo ladies on we loveya blogspot I intend to finish writng the whole 3 books next year and hopefully have one at least published next year.
My first letterbook (Book One- Amy's Secret) is due to be published in Norway and Sweden next year which I am stoked about!
There we go- I've put my writing goals in writng. Now I HAVE to achieve them. !!!;-)]]><![CDATA[Of Books and Victoria's Secrets]]>Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:41:36 -0800http://www.ellieroyce.com/1/post/2009/12/of-books-and-victorias-secrets.htmlFinished!!! Finally finished and submitted my novel for 14-16 year old girlies( Teen Queens) who love to laugh and love a good romance.
Just in time to take a Christmas break- can't wait for "Victoria's Secret" paprade. Funny- it used to be the Christmas pageant that signalled  Christmas had really begun but now with two grown up daughters it's the V.S show that makes up feel that Christmas has arrived!
]]><![CDATA[Bloggerama!!!]]>Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:47:44 -0800http://www.ellieroyce.com/1/post/2009/10/bloggerama.htmlWell-I'm trying to keep all this blogging to a minimum while I finish my current WIP (that's 'work in progress for all you non-writer  types outt here) BUT it's hard becuase I have so much to say. Plus it's a very good way of procrastinating, an art of which I may be the best in New South Wales, if not Australia. This VERY IMPORTANT NEWS however so I'm allowing myself two minutes.
Number one- my webpage has finally appeared on google's browser which is exciting! There have been a few glitches getting it here, but here I finally am.
I have another blog, which I think I will tranfer over to here shortly- (it's just all to much to keep track of!)
AND- I was recently offered the chance to join the team of excellent bloggetry at the "We Love YA" http://weloveya.wordpress.com/ blogspot. AM SO EXCITED!!!
Look for my blogs on Tuesdays (I think...) and while visiting read the excellent interviews, thoughts and info from the rest of the team.
See you there!
]]><![CDATA[Frocks, photos and foreign rights]]>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:58:13 -0800http://www.ellieroyce.com/1/post/2009/09/frocks-photos-and-foreign-rights.htmlWell! The formal was, as expected a massive event. Photos to come- after they have been vetted by the Teen Queen of course. I think the nicest part of the day was when the Director of the college read out Dr. Seuss book "Oh The Places You'll Go" as his final words to year 12. I reccomend anyone with children to read this book: it's wonderful and very apt for this moment in life. Poised on their tippytoes, ready to fly- their faces made me go all teary and squirmy inside. I love a transitional moment in life, They are the ones that really wake us up and make us remember to be ALIVE.
On another note- I meant to add yesterday (but for reasons of graduations, hairdressers, getting ready and taking ten thousand photos did not have time....) my latest news. Letterbook One "Amy's Secret" will be published byStabenfeldt- a Book Club publisher in Norway and Sweden! I am so very excited. It'll be brilliant to see my books printed in another language. (Mind you- I won't be able to understand them but it'll still be way cool.)
Currently desperately trying to finsh my splendiferously yummy novel for the Teen Princesses before the end of holidays so that I can finsh rough draft of the next letterbook! (Did I say holidays?)
Have a great day!]]>