Passing on the Book Quote Game

(Thanks to Judith Ridge for reminding me of this one!)
Rules:

* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence along with these instructions in a note to your wall, and post your sentence in a comment here as well. Include the title of book and author.

Here's mine... and no, I didn't cheat.

Catsnatcher: Someone who snatches or kitnaps a cat. (The Kitnapped Creature, by Darrel and Sally Odgers.)

Interview with Brenton Cullen

Today I have an interview with author Brenton Cullen, whose book, The Writers: a Collection of Australian Writers' Biographies, is now available from i-proclaim.

Brenton has interviewed six well-loved Australian writers, resulting in a thoroughly engaging and illuminating book. Interviewer Brenton agreed to become an interviewee for Spinning Pearls, and here's what he had to say.

SALLY: It’s rather unusual for a younger writer to produce a book of biographies. How did you first get the idea for this?

BRENTON: I thought about all my favorite authors and how I wished I knew more about them and their websites provided little, at least not as much as I wanted to know about them. Then idea sparked me: The Writers: A Collection of Australian Writers' Biographies. I would get to know more info about my favorite authors and also get to write another book. The way I saw it, two cool benefits!

SALLY: How did you choose your six featured authors?

BRENTON: I set about emailing a few authors, I think about ten or 11 in total. The way I got these six authors is simple: the other never replied! I originally had plans to do a second book of author and illustrator biographies, so I am now considering it.

SALLY: What was the authors’ reaction when you invited them to tell you their life stories? Did anyone refuse?

BRENTON: They reacted pretty good. Some were excited about the concept of it like Libby Hathorn. And some others just took it casually like it happened everyday! Jackie French was very enthusiastic and supportive of it, answering many questions and giving me all sorts of info as did all of them and including Hazel Edwards . And no, all the authors that replied enthusiastically agreed to let me write their biographies.

SALLY: As a young writer, have you had support from your friends, or do they think you’re a bit unusual?

BRENTON: Support from my friends?? hmmm.... not so much, from a couple of my friends. From my 6th Grade teacher Mrs. McDonald a lot!! At school, amongst all the kids and my friends and that, we don't really talk about my being an author (I think the most talk of it is from a few of the kids "Can I have your autograph?" and "Can I buy a copy of your book?") I politely either say No, All right just this once, or Buy it from my publisher's website bookstore, please!"

But some kids just think I am weird and do not believe I am a writer. They think that it is just something adults do. Well it's not!"

SALLY: What are some of your other interests, besides writing?

BRENTON: Hmm, my other interests are: cooking food to eat, playing basketball and handball and soccer with all my friends at school, surfing the Net, chatting, listening to Music, and reading and I acting (I am wanting to also pursue a career in the future as an actor/voice actor).


Brenton's book is available from
http://i-proclaimbookstore.com/wrcoofauwrbi.html

Breeding in the Computer

I'm sure jobs breed in the computer. I finished one rewrite today, and am about to start another. Meanwhile, I need to proofread a short story, run through a round of edits for a novel called "Freedom" (coming soon from Eternal Press), write a short commission work before Monday and finish a book called "The Quicksilver Files"... I also need to catch up on editing and assessments for other people.

As I said... jobs breed.

"Freedom" is a change of pace for me, as it is neither fantasy nor science fiction. Here's the blurb...

Four generations of women, linked by blood, parted by fate.
Eva Kawolska - the Polish war widow. Eva escapes the devastation of occupied Poland and brings her child to the promised land of Australia.
Terenza Rhodes - the deserted child. Raped by her uncle, Terenza flees her home town and journeys across Australia during the heady days of rock 'n' roll.
Emma West - the good girl. Brought up to believe herself an orphan, Emma is shocked to discover her mother may still be alive.
Philippa Freedom Darcy - the lucky one. The legal barriers are down… but can she mend the links and reunite her family.