Things I did at the Brookfield Show

* Mistakenly assumed a security guy in the bar area would like to see my bag for purposes of ascertaining lack of firearms and/or illegal liquor, thereby inadvertently humiliating myself when all around me thought I felt the need to prove my over-18 status* Ditched the still-laughing security guy and faked being a steward in order to get into the Pony Club area instead, to watch the rodeo * Watched rodeo, during which a cowboy dude was spun through the air (horizontal to the ground) by a rather pissed off bull * Watched second cowboy dude narrowly miss being gored to death by an extremely pissed off bull * Quickly turned back on rodeo and returned attention to alcohol * Purchased this jar of delicious lime marmalade (it was full at the time): * Strongly urged a friend to "Take the banana Rasta! Take the banana Rasta!" after he was a DOUBLE WINNER at the lucky numbers (which stroke of good fortune inspired Mr B to excitedly chant "Winner winner chicken dinner" at intermittent intervals throughout the rest of the evening) * Had dizzying brush with fame via proximity to Sigrid Thornton's brother's award-winning preserves, on display in Cookery Pavilion * Vicariously purchased two lovely watercolours from the Art Pavilion, by way of encouraging friends to do so instead * Experienced rather odd sensation of having forefinger mistaken for a sheep's nipple and suckled by lamb at petting zoo * Purchased and ate an entire bag of coconut ice, then immediately began growing pimple on chin which had fully matured by the next morning * Did not step in cow pat. Not even once!

What's sexy? Reading is. So is jazz. 60s spectacles, not so much

There's a book-review website out there in the world wide webiverse called 'Reading is Sexy' and, following the fabulous review its author Diana gave Airmail last week, I am inclined to agree. Here's what Diana had to say:

"Airmail is one of the most engaging, thought provoking novellas I’ve ever read. In short order, Naomi Bulger delves into the possibilities of story telling. This quirky, left of center story sucks the reader into a sometimes magical world that seems to balance between the possible and impossible. Those of you who, like me, have enjoyed work from Through the Looking Glass to Donnie Darko will immensely enjoy Airmail. In some ways it reminded me a bit of the movie Mary and Max."

Pretty sexy, huh? Now, imagine how chuffed I am. Uber-chuffed, that's what!

To read the whole review, click here (and leave a comment to let Diana know if you like it: one good turn deserves another, after all).

You know what else is sexy? Swingin' jazz from the 60s. For your listening pleasure, I present Airmail Special:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQaChgcQFhg]

My inner child hijacked my novel

Meet the child-Naomi. At the time this photograph was taken, her career goal was "superhero". Subsequent career plans included ballet dancer, marine biologist and princess. She also wanted to be an author. Apparently she wanted it so badly that she hijacked my novel.

I wrote about it in a guest post hosted by the wonderful Jenai over at Bookingly Yours. You can read it here.

Magical realism quiz

If a little boy at your local farmers' market suddenly sprouted a curly pig's tail, what would you do? Would you: a) Call an ambulance / call the media / call the police? [you are probably not in a genre novel]

b) Wave your magic wand, call your dragon-steed, and fly to a place where little boys only ever sprouted lovely peacocks' tails and never pigs' tails? [you are in a fantasy novel]

c) Think, "that's odd," then ask a nearby stall-holder if chilli peppers are back in season? [you are in a magical realism novel]

I was invited by the lovely Laura at The Book Tree to write a guest post on her blog. So I did a little metaphorical head-scratching, then came up with a theme I wanted to share. To whit: life, my friends, is a magical realism novel. And you can read it here.

Life is a magical realism novel

If a little boy at your local farmers' market suddenly sprouted a curly pig's tail, what would you do? Would you:

a) Call an ambulance / call the media / call the police? [you are probably not in a genre novel] b) Wave your magic wand, call your dragon-steed, and fly to a place where little boys only ever sprouted lovely peacocks' tails and never pigs' tails? [you are in a fantasy novel] c) Think, "that's odd," then ask a nearby stall-holder if limes are back in season? [you are in a magical realism novel]

I was invited by the lovely Laura at The Book Tree to write a guest post on her blog. So I did a little metaphorical head-scratching, then came up with a theme I wanted to share. To whit: life, my friends, is a magical realism novel. And you can read it here.

Merry month of May: week 2

(Image via)

I've just wrapped up Week 2 of my Merry Month of May blog tour, during which time I've tucked a virtual copy of Airmail under my virtual arm and toddled (virtually) around the world, via some wonderful literary blogs. It was a week that featured real magic, some lovely blog hosts and reviewers, a touch of creative inspiration, and bribery with baked goods.

* On Wednesday I perused The Australian Bookshelf, and shared my top tips for keeping that creative spark alive while writing for a living. I took inspiration from a fabulous artist I met a few years back, Irene Grishin Selzer, who maintains this same delicate balance of art and business for her hand-crafted jewellery line, Iggy & Lou Lou.

* Thursday was my day for relaxing in the shade of The Book Tree, where I shared the story of how I first discovered the literary genre 'magical realism', how it enchanted me, and how it helped me see the magic in my own (real) world. The link to this post keeps appearing and disappearing, and I am not tech-savvy enough to know what's going on. This is the link, but if it doesn't work and you really want to read the post, let me know and I'll see what I can do.

* Also reclining under The Book Tree was my lovely hostess Laura, who shared her review of Airmail, and is running a competition to win a free copy this month.

* On Friday, I headed back to 100 Stars or Less, the site of last week's guest post on pen pals, for Erika's review of Airmail. I recommend you pop on over too and give the review a read, not just because she enjoyed the book (which she did), but also because Erika is such a fun and entertaining writer that she takes you on her personal journey of reading this quirky story. Plus, she's also offering a free copy of Airmail.

* Finally on the weekend it was over to Alchemy of Scrawl, where writer and reviewer Coral Russell gave her opinion of Airmail in audio format. I may or may not have influenced Coral's opinion of Airmail by introducing her to the awesome deliciousness of hot cross buns over Easter. I am sure she is above such bribery. It is possible that I am not.

And that's a wrap for Week 2! See you soon.

The business of art

This is an excerpt from a guest post on The Australian Bookshelf. So really, you can just skip the rest and go straight to The Australian Bookshelf. What a good idea! Here's the link >>

Or, you can read on. And so:

It’s a common enough problem. For years, you dream of making a living as a writer, an artist, a musician… whatever creative passion floats your boat. But when your hobby finally becomes your career, the endless deadlines, clients and financial constraints sap your creative inspiration and motivation until you wonder why you entered this industry in the first place.

As a writer that’s certainly happened to me. More than once.

Some years ago, while editing a business magazine, I interviewed Irene Grishin Selzer, a sculptor and the artistic director of jewellery outfit Iggy and Lou Lou. Irene had an amazing capacity to separate out the business and artistic aspects of her career, while maintaining both.

So when Jayne Fordham of The Australian Bookshelf invited me to write a guest post on her website, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share some of what I learned from Irene for other artists of all shapes and sizes.

So, fellow artists, without further ado: get thee to The Australian Bookshelf to discover the top five tips for remaining an uncompromising artist while still making a living! (And when you get there, leave a comment at the end and say hi and thanks to your host Jayne. She's lovely).

Afternoon

Today my friend Ruby took me on a lightening tour of the Gold Coast, to show me where the arts, the buzz, the cafes, the restaurants and the views sat. I am grateful, enlightened, and a little more at peace with the idea of living here. Also, my friend Ruby gave me a bag of fruit picked from the trees at her home on the hinterland. Said trees are, apparently, FREAKY MUTANT STEROID trees. Behold, the mother of all limes:

I am going to make mojitos. You bet your BOOTY I am going to make mojitos.

Merry month of May: week 1

I've been a busy little blogger of late, touring all over town as part of my Merry Month of May virtual book tour.

* This is me when I was a kid, on my beloved pushbike. Around about this age, I had a pen-pal in New Caledonia. I've blogged about this experience, and the lost art of letter writing, and the advent of technology, on the wonderful website 100 Stars or Less (dedicated to supporting indie and emerging writers, how great is that!), as a guest of the lovely and gracious Erika. You can read the whole thing here.

* Then I headed on over to another fantastic and bookish website, The Book Diva's Reads, where I put the case that the novella (in other words a short novel) is due for a comeback in today's time-poor world. You can read that blog here, and read a review of Airmail by the Book Diva herself, Vivian, here.

* To start the month off, the online website that celebrates everything great about my local area (and-is-super-supportive-of-local-creatives-so-please-head-on-over-and-give-them-a-hoy-then-subscribe-or-follow-on-twitter-or-something-because-there's-always-something-interesting-going-on), *deep breath* Inner West Live, hosted an interview with me that you can read here.

* A couple of days later, the fantabulous Ashley (aka Ashton the Book Blogger) wrote a very kind (shall we say glowing?) review of Airmail, which you can read here, and which is still making me smile.

See you around the blog traps!

Naomi

Stranger than fiction

Monday morning. It's raining outside. I have so many deadlines this week I don't know where to start, although I suspect blogging may not be the best place. I still write at the kitchen table, sitting on a wooden kitchen chair, so my back is already aching although it's not even morning-tea time. I'm worried about the dog, he's not himself today.

To meet my deadlines and appease my editors, I will need a miracle. Or two. I need some serious inspiration. Perhaps you do, too. So here is a little reminder that, on some days, the impossible may just become possible.

Like the day it snowed in Sydney (almost) Or the day I sailed through the air with the greatest of ease The day these ladders, soaring above the elders' houses in New Mexico to pierce storm clouds in the desert, really did pierce storm clouds in the desert The day I found 6000 year-old pottery shards while digging post-holes at Cranborne Chase Or the day I learned to breathe under water The day I witnessed this, after a gruelling pre-dawn climb up a Peruvian mountain The day I moved to this neighbourhood in SoHo, New York Grew this Wrote this And the day I married the love of my life and gained a wonderful new family

Really, anything's possible. I can fly. I can breathe under water. I am loved. Deadlines don't scare me! Now back to work.