My brother-in-law is reading my MS

Mr Flyby (Spanner's sister's husband) kindly offered to read my ms (manuscript).

This is not as strange as it seems.

In the past, Flyby has flirted with romance writing - his short story was published in one of the Romance Writers of Australia Little Gems anthologies and in 2004 we went to an RWA conference together.

Afterwards we both stopped writing, but Flyby turned his back on the genre.

Now, he reads widely, writes a fine blog on light planes and keeps bees (he has other hobbies too numerous to mention).

OK, maybe it is strange to have your brother-in-law reading your romance novel.

Or could it be that Flyby is strange?

I decided he was the best person for the job. And so far, I've not been disappointed. He's given me some excellent tips on dialogue, pov and showing not telling. I am a bit worried about him reading the more explicit chapters. Embarrassed.

However, I will have a better story because of his wise advice.

There's still got a long way to go before I can honestly type THE END.

PS: Photo borrowed from the blog edited by Flyby - it's taken by pilot Darryl and shows the mist over Warragamba dam. It illustrates where I'm at with my MS, lost in the mist.

Don't try this for a living: on blogging and the Clustr map

Blogging is a strange pastime.

For me, it's an excuse to rabbit on about the things I enjoy (ocean swims, writing) and things I should be doing (making a living, mimimal dusting, making sure my kids get more to eat than stale Weetbix).

I was quite content to send my twaddle into the ether. Not too concerned about whether I was read or not.

Then I got a Clustr map and now I'm obsessed. Every day (sometimes twice if I'm at home) I click on the map to check on who's reading and from where around the world.

I wonder, if I'm so clever why has the person from Singapore tuned out? Why aren't my American and Canadian readers sticking around? Do they want to read about swimming or romance writing? Why on earth would someone in India be bothered? I wouldn't.

The Clustr map has turned me into a neurotic mess. What? Only six hits today? Why am I doing this? What is the purpose of this blog? Why do stupid people become celebrities? Whatever happened to Robbie Williams?

I should dump the map for my own peace of mind. But it's too late now. I'm hooked on those red dots growing plumper day after day after day.

PS: From other blogs I've read, it seems that to attract readers one has to espouse words of wisdom. So, here goes:

Screw the journey, I want the destination

What's in a name change: on blogs and vanity

I recently changed the name of the hero in my romance novel, and this morning I changed my blog title.

There are two reasons for the title change. Vanity is the first. Now I have a Clustr (where's the 'e'?) map I know how many people are visiting the blog and which country they're from.

And I am really excited (pathetic really) to see readers dropping by from the USA, Canada and India (India???? They must have hooked into the 'romance', couldn't have been the swimming).

Of course, I was flattered - it doesn't take much. And I can see, all to clearly now, how the megalomaniac personality develops! It starts with a blog!

The second reason for the change was that Shayne's World sounds like Wayne's World. Mmm... looks good, feels right.

As for the hero in my work in progress (wip), I initially exchanged the name 'Robbie' for 'Connor' but that didn't work for me. So, for the time being he's called 'Chase'. God knows why. It's sort of alpha male, I guess.

Back to the drawing board.

And welcome WORLD... the whole 35 of you.

Five excuses not to write the great Australian romance novel

I want to write the great Australian romance novel! I do! Seriously!

But here are five major obstacles (substitute excuses) preventing me from achieving my goal:

1. Paid work: Someone's gotta bring home the bacon and my partner isn't a judge, orthopaedic surgeon or property developer - say no more.

2. Dog: We bought Karma from the RSPCA five years ago on the proviso that the kids a. walk her at least once a day b. feed her c. wash her d. clean up after her - say no more.

3. House: I am not married to a judge, orthopaedic surgeon or property developer, therefore cannot afford a cleaner. Ditto for cooking, shopping, washing, ironing.

4. Children: The 18-year-old daughter, Petulant Princess (PP), and 12-year-old daughter, Miss Hissy, require 24/7 care. Eg: PP, who will be on her L plates until she's around 80, recently discovered the clubbing scene and pink fizzy drinks. Consequently, she requires a chauffeur to and from venues, plus regular vitamin-replacement therapy in the form of wholesome home cooking.

5. Blog: Say no more.