Colleen McCullough

[Gannon]

@Maud and Fran (and anyone else )

Colleen has got a new book out. Whoooohoooo. It is the fourth book in her Carmine Delmonico series. I love Colleen and she will always be my favourtie author BUT, I don't think her Carmine books are her best. Don't get me wrong I still love them and this fourth installment sounds really good. However I think at heart she is an historical fiction writer. I would give anything for her to go back to Rome and write another series perhaps set in the time of one of the early tyrants such as Caligula or Nero, or even better a series set in 69ad. 69ad is known as "The year of the four emperors". It was constant warfare between the different factions fighting for the empire before eventually Vespasian won and established his Flavian dynasty. In Colleen's hands it would make an amazing series.

[Fran]

Isn't she just awesome with all her health issues & her age & still be motivated enough to get down to writing.

It would be great, Gannon, if she got back to writing about Rome but maybe she has decided to pass that torch on to someone with equal indepth knowledge of Rome ......... what about it, are you prepared for the challenge?

[Gannon]

Isn't she just awesome with all her health issues & her age & still be motivated enough to get down to writing.

It would be great, Gannon, if she got back to writing about Rome but maybe she has decided to pass that torch on to someone with equal indepth knowledge of Rome ......... what about it, are you prepared for the challenge?

Howdy there Fran. Way back in the day, I started to write a book. It was alternative historical fiction set in a world where Caesar survived the assassination attempt. I loved it at first, but then it became a chore to me and I was not enjoying it at all. I write very slowly constantly going back over what I have written. It's still sitting there and maybe one day I will go back to it who knows. I remember an interview with Colleen in which she said she was done with Rome and would not write another book on it, and really I can't blame her after the sheer amount of writing she has done on the subject. But still I have my fingers crossed.

[Maud Fitch]

@Maud and Fran (and anyone else)

Colleen has got a new book out. Whoooohoooo. It is the fourth book in her Carmine Delmonico series. I love Colleen and she will always be my favourtie author BUT, I don't think her Carmine books are her best. Don't get me wrong I still love them and this fourth installment sounds really good. However I think at heart she is an historical fiction writer. I would give anything for her to go back to Rome and write another series.....

Thanks for this, Gannon. I will check it out but I have to say I only read one in this series and it rattled me. Somehow I can handle her Roman oomph much better. And I love your plot 'caesar surviving the assassination attempt', wow, it has potential! Any chance of co-writing? Maybe not with Colleen but a local author? Please don't wait until you are old and grumpy because then you won't enjoy your international celebrity status.

[Gannon]

@Maud and Fran (and anyone else)

Colleen has got a new book out. Whoooohoooo. It is the fourth book in her Carmine Delmonico series. I love Colleen and she will always be my favourtie author BUT, I don't think her Carmine books are her best. Don't get me wrong I still love them and this fourth installment sounds really good. However I think at heart she is an historical fiction writer. I would give anything for her to go back to Rome and write another series.....

Thanks for this, Gannon. I will check it out but I have to say I only read one in this series and it rattled me. Somehow I can handle her Roman oomph much better. And I love your plot 'caesar surviving the assassination attempt', wow, it has potential! Any chance of co-writing? Maybe not with Colleen but a local author? Please don't wait until you are old and grumpy because then you won't enjoy your international celebrity status.

Cheers Maud, I have not thought of co-writing, that might be just what I need to get a kick up the backside and keep writing. I must admit that I am feeling excited about it again. The trouble is I usually write about a chapter and then lose interest and want to read my ever increasing TBR. Plus I have a great start and good ideas for the middle but am a bit stumped how to finish it off maybe If I co-wrote it with someone they could give me a few suggestions for the ending. International celebrity status? I think you are overestimating my abilites a teeny weeny bit.

I read a really interesting article on Chinese on-line literature today. It has exploded in popularity and many writers are making a decent living by writing novels and serials straight to e-readers. Some of them have become so familiar and popular they have crossed over into mainstream hardcover editions. The magazine is Time Feb 13 edition if anyone is interested, its a great article for book lovers.

Hey Maud which Carmine novel rattled you. I have liked, not loved, the first three. Hopefully this fourth one will be great and give the series a bit of oomf.

[Maud Fitch]

I read a really interesting article on Chinese on-line literature today. It has exploded in popularity and many writers are making a decent living by writing novels and serials straight to e-readers. Some of them have become so familiar and popular they have crossed over into mainstream hardcover editions. The magazine is Time Feb 13 edition if anyone is interested, its a great article for book lovers.

Thanks for the tip, Gannon. Will check it out. I remember reading something like that in the Writing Discussion forum a while back, almost cult followings. I know e-readers are struggling for popularity in Japan because initially they didn't allow text layouts like vertical writing so this might be something to try. I had a vision of novels going straight to e-readers then when they gain credibility they are published in paper format. The old 'straight to video' in reverse.

[Gannon]

I read a really interesting article on Chinese on-line literature today. It has exploded in popularity and many writers are making a decent living by writing novels and serials straight to e-readers. Some of them have become so familiar and popular they have crossed over into mainstream hardcover editions. The magazine is Time Feb 13 edition if anyone is interested, its a great article for book lovers.

Thanks for the tip, Gannon. Will check it out. I remember reading something like that in the Writing Discussion forum a while back, almost cult followings. I know e-readers are struggling for popularity in Japan because initially they didn't allow text layouts like vertical writing so this might be something to try. I had a vision of novels going straight to e-readers then when they gain credibility they are published in paper format. The old 'straight to video' in reverse.

Its a great article, interviews with people who moonlight as authors who have millions of readers. One guy is a policeman by day, as soon as he gets home he writes until 4 in the morning every night. He earns three times more as an online writer. The only problem is that apparently the chinese readers are very fickle and will change to another series if they do not get the latest instalment of the series they are reading on time. The policeman said he has to keep writing more episodes every night for fear of losing his readers to the multitude of other series out there.
You are right, it is the opposite of straight to video. If a book attracts enough readers the book may come out in hardback. Also Chinese puplishers are constantly cutting and editing their books to conform with their government.

[Maud Fitch]

.....The Chinese readers are very fickle and will change to another series if they do not get the latest instalment of the series they are reading on time. The policeman said he has to keep writing more episodes every night for fear of losing his readers to the multitude of other series out there. You are right, it is the opposite of straight to video. If a book attracts enough readers the book may come out in hardback. Also Chinese puplishers are constantly cutting and editing their books to conform with their government.

Amazing stuff but sounds like a whole lot of pressure applied to the writer from both sides.

Love your new Roman avatar. Is there any (battle) significance with the wheat field?

[Gannon]

.....The Chinese readers are very fickle and will change to another series if they do not get the latest instalment of the series they are reading on time. The policeman said he has to keep writing more episodes every night for fear of losing his readers to the multitude of other series out there. You are right, it is the opposite of straight to video. If a book attracts enough readers the book may come out in hardback. Also Chinese puplishers are constantly cutting and editing their books to conform with their government.

Amazing stuff but sounds like a whole lot of pressure applied to the writer from both sides.

Love your new Roman avatar. Is there any (battle) significance with the wheat field?

Howdy Howdy and a wonderful afternoon to my favourite poster.
It does seem to be a lot of pressure, but I don't know what it is, the Chinese just seem to be made of sturdier stuff than us. Have you been watching the whole Foxconn scandal. There was a big article on it in a back issue of Time. The conditions they are working under and the pay they are getting is a disgrace.
I don't think there is any significance with the wheat field on my avatar, I just really liked it. It may have something to do with the Elysium fields. In Greek mythology the Elysium fields were where the heroic and righteous chosen by the gods were sent to live a life however they wanted to, doing what they enjoyed in their life on Earth. Remember the end of "Gladiator" where Russel Crowe is being carried throught the wheat fields. TA DA!

I am currently just about finished the first book in the Masters of the Sea trilogy, "Ship of Rome". It is really good and Fran, my other favourite poster if you are reading they are written by John Stack, one of yours. He comes from good old Cork, somewhere in Ireland. I assume you know where that is. They read very similar to Simon Scarrow's books so I can heartily recommend them.

[Maud Fitch]

I don't think there is any significance with the wheat field on my avatar, I just really liked it. It may have something to do with the Elysium fields. In Greek mythology the Elysium fields were where the heroic and righteous chosen by the gods were sent to live a life however they wanted to, doing what they enjoyed in their life on Earth. Remember the end of "Gladiator" where Russel Crowe is being carried throught the wheat fields. TA DA!

Ta Da, indeed. Have you thought seriously about lecturing, Gannon? A friend of mine teaches one evening a week at TAFE (for others, this means Technical And Further Education, offering day or evening classes) and gets paid a mint. Apparently at U3A (for others, this means University Of The Third Age) in Canberra they've discussed Oscar Wilde's London, Genealogy, Painting and even a woman in her nineties spoke about her life and times. Your knowledge, plus Colleen's books, would blitz the field with insightful Roman literature.

[Gannon]

I don't think there is any significance with the wheat field on my avatar, I just really liked it. It may have something to do with the Elysium fields. In Greek mythology the Elysium fields were where the heroic and righteous chosen by the gods were sent to live a life however they wanted to, doing what they enjoyed in their life on Earth. Remember the end of "Gladiator" where Russel Crowe is being carried throught the wheat fields. TA DA!

Ta Da, indeed. Have you thought seriously about lecturing, Gannon? A friend of mine teaches one evening a week at TAFE (for others, this means Technical And Further Education, offering day or evening classes) and gets paid a mint. Apparently at U3A (for others, this means University Of The Third Age) in Canberra they've discussed Oscar Wilde's London, Genealogy, Painting and even a woman in her nineties spoke about her life and times. Your knowledge, plus Colleen's books, would blitz the field with insightful Roman literature.

Thanking you kindly Maud for your lovely comments. I really don't know if there would be that much interest in Ancient Roman history and literature, it is just my luck to love something that the majority of people have no interest in. It would for me be a very enjoyable job but, and second only to owning my own little bookshop.

Anyway enough about me, what have you been up too? You have been pretty scarce on this forum lately. Every time I log on and check to see if you have posted I come away disappointed. I know you may be busy but just a little post every now and then Maud to let us know you are still there, hit us with one of you informative posts that we have come to know and love.

[Maud Fitch]

Thanking you kindly Maud for your lovely comments. I really don't know if there would be that much interest in Ancient Roman history and literature, it is just my luck to love something that the majority of people have no interest in. It would for me be a very enjoyable job but, and second only to owning my own little bookshop.

Anyway enough about me, what have you been up too? You have been pretty scarce on this forum lately. Every time I log on and check to see if you have posted I come away disappointed. I know you may be busy but just a little post every now and then Maud to let us know you are still there, hit us with one of you informative posts that we have come to know and love.

Ah, Gannon, you may be surprised at how many people are interested in the Ancient Romans. Something to keep up your sleeve when you are running your little bookshop. Perhaps one hour talks once a week with wine and cheese for your favourite customers? I can see it happening when you're in your fifties. "That cluey old bloke in the corner book shop" the patrons will say "Go and ask him about it" and your fame will spread.

Likewise, thank you so much for noticing I've been absent for awhile. Nice to know someone reads my posts. You flatterer! Oh, I've missed the Forums but work has been full on; something has to give way occasionally, doesn't it.
(Also, a long lost cousin has emailed me and we've been comparing notes to catch up on twenty years). Anyway, I've managed to secure a bit of time off and I'm heading to the coast. Sky, sun, sea, surf and sand.....bliss.....

Have you read a couple of pages of Colleen's detective Carmine Delmonico book yet? On the subject of Colleen, I noticed your thread is coming up to a staggering 20,000 views. And I'm very excited because I'm coming up for my first anniversary on these Forums. Wow, so cool.

Have an enjoyable week, mate.

[Gannon]

Thanking you kindly Maud for your lovely comments. I really don't know if there would be that much interest in Ancient Roman history and literature, it is just my luck to love something that the majority of people have no interest in. It would for me be a very enjoyable job but, and second only to owning my own little bookshop.

Anyway enough about me, what have you been up too? You have been pretty scarce on this forum lately. Every time I log on and check to see if you have posted I come away disappointed. I know you may be busy but just a little post every now and then Maud to let us know you are still there, hit us with one of you informative posts that we have come to know and love.

Ah, Gannon, you may be surprised at how many people are interested in the Ancient Romans. Something to keep up your sleeve when you are running your little bookshop. Perhaps one hour talks once a week with wine and cheese for your favourite customers? I can see it happening when you're in your fifties. "That cluey old bloke in the corner book shop" the patrons will say "Go and ask him about it" and your fame will spread.

Likewise, thank you so much for noticing I've been absent for awhile. Nice to know someone reads my posts. You flatterer! Oh, I've missed the Forums but work has been full on; something has to give way occasionally, doesn't it.
(Also, a long lost cousin has emailed me and we've been comparing notes to catch up on twenty years). Anyway, I've managed to secure a bit of time off and I'm heading to the coast. Sky, sun, sea, surf and sand.....bliss.....

Have you read a couple of pages of Colleen's detective Carmine Delmonico book yet? On the subject of Colleen, I noticed your thread is coming up to a staggering 20,000 views. And I'm very excited because I'm coming up for my first anniversary on these Forums. Wow, so cool.

Have an enjoyable week, mate.

Hey Maud, my Colleen has not turned up in the mail yet, which is lucky because I have alot of books to read. If you have read the Jasper Post you know that I am seriously writing now, am aiming for 1000 to 2000 words a day and have been doing it easy over the last couple of days. I designed and printed the cover today and I am very excited. I really don't want to say anything about it but you and Fran will be the first to have a look at it. I have gone over it many times and my writing needs work but it all takes time and hopefully I will improve.

Happy aniversary Maud hugs and kisses, well done.
Ps Thanks for the kind words about me in my shop being the Roman expert. I hope I can still hear and see properly by then.

[Maud Fitch]

Hey Maud, my Colleen has not turned up in the mail yet, which is lucky because I have alot of books to read. If you have read the Jasper Post you know that I am seriously writing now, am aiming for 1000 to 2000 words a day and have been doing it easy over the last couple of days. I designed and printed the cover today and I am very excited. I really don't want to say anything about it but you and Fran will be the first to have a look at it. I have gone over it many times and my writing needs work but it all takes time and hopefully I will improve.

Happy aniversary Maud hugs and kisses, well done.
Ps Thanks for the kind words about me in my shop being the Roman expert. I hope I can still hear and see properly by then.

Superlative writing skills, Gannon. Way to go! You're like a runaway train! As said on Jasper's thread, you're an illustrator as well. Designing your own cover is impressive and oh so cool and should add to your writing kudos.

Aw gee, thanks Gannon <blush, blush>

On behalf of all the dear folk out there who are in their fifties, I'm sure most of them can still hear and see properly, and I'm confident you will too.

[Gannon]

Hey Maud, my Colleen has not turned up in the mail yet, which is lucky because I have alot of books to read. If you have read the Jasper Post you know that I am seriously writing now, am aiming for 1000 to 2000 words a day and have been doing it easy over the last couple of days. I designed and printed the cover today and I am very excited. I really don't want to say anything about it but you and Fran will be the first to have a look at it. I have gone over it many times and my writing needs work but it all takes time and hopefully I will improve.

Happy aniversary Maud hugs and kisses, well done.
Ps Thanks for the kind words about me in my shop being the Roman expert. I hope I can still hear and see properly by then.

Superlative writing skills, Gannon. Way to go! You're like a runaway train! As said on Jasper's thread, you're an illustrator as well. Designing your own cover is impressive and oh so cool and should add to your writing kudos.

Aw gee, thanks Gannon <blush, blush>

On behalf of all the dear folk out there who are in their fifties, I'm sure most of them can still hear and see properly, and I'm confident you will too.

I have to admit that I did not draw my own cover, Maud. I grabbed stuff of the net that suited the book and designed it from there, however you have given me an idea. I cannot draw on the computer to save my life but I can draw free hand and then I could use a scanner to scan it onto photoshop or something maybe for the next one, I really like the cover I have got. I just finished 6000 words and I am using chapters that go back and forward in time. I know some people don't like that technique but I love it. I sat back and read the whole thing and there are lots of parts that could really do with some work, but there are some parts that I am quite chuffed with. It is young adult and set in the near future.