I’m lifting my voice here, adding to the choirs singing praise about Trent Dalton’s latest novel, All our shimmering skies. His debut novel, Boy swallows universe, largely autobiographical, was a huge success and his second book is full of just as much magic and heartbreak and quirky characters and unexpected events as his first.

Apart from the gorgeous cover, indicative of the beautiful Darwin outback where a large part of the book is set, have a look at the title. Perhaps it is the word ‘shimmering’ or ‘skies’ that jumps out at first. But it’s the word ‘our’ which gives Trent Dalton’s readers a clear hint of his story – ‘our’ has connotations of inclusivity, generosity, openness and connection.

I have listened to a few recent interviews with Trent through Readings and The First Time podcast, and Trent is all about ‘our’.

All our shimmering skies is the story of twelve-year-old Molly Hook, the gravedigger’s daughter, who sets off on a journey when bombs start hitting her home town of Darwin in 1942. She’s trying to revoke the curse Longcoat Bob, an almost mythical outback character, placed on her grandfather which has caused her family no end of sorrow and hardship.

In one of his interviews, Trent told us that one of his young daughters asked him why he had written about two brothers in his first book when he had two daughters. He also told us that he used to look up at the sky to talk after his father died. It was these two incidents or feelings or ideas which connected to create the seed of All our shimmering skies.

I love the mix of real-life events and mythology, the sadness of Molly’s life combined with her hopeful spirit, the wonderful descriptive writing and the unlikely but absolutely believable ‘sky gifts’. This book will become an Australian classic.

Ever read a novel where the description of fashion makes you want to frock up in a 1920s flapper dress, reach for a mini skirt or adorn yourself in sprigged muslin?

I am celebrating frocks and fiction in this post, as well as my dear friend, Leane Flynn, who has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of ovarian cancer since her diagnosis three and a half years ago. You can read more about her story in this post here.

Frocktober is a chance to raise both awareness and funds for women with ovarian cancer through the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. There is currently no early detection test for ovarian cancer and as there are no obvious symptoms, many women are diagnosed too late. One woman dies from ovarian cancer every ten hours. The recurrence rate is extremely high and the survival rate is extremely low – only one in every four women diagnosed will survive five years.

You can donate to Leane’s fundraising page here.

Thinking about fashion, here are some of my favourite fashion in fiction moments:

• Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery – Anne desperately wants a dress with puffed sleeves (and hasn’t that fashion come back in!) but Marilla thinks it’s a waste of material. Matthew asks Rachel Lynch to sew a dress for Anne – ‘a lovely soft brown gloria with all the gloss of silk; a skirt with dainty frills and shirrings; a waist elaborately pin-tucked in the most fashionable way, with a little ruffle of filmy lace at the neck. But the sleeves – they were the crowning glory! Long elbow cuffs and above them two beautiful puffs divided by rows of shirring and bows of brown silk ribbon.’ Anne thinks it is exquisite!

• A kiss for Mr Fitzgerald by Natasha Lester – Natasha’s books are all full of fashion. In one scene, Evie wears a dress of ‘sapphire blue. It had a tulle skirt that fell to just below the knee. The bodice was sequinned and the neckline dived gracefully to end at her sternal notch. An inset of semi-sheer flesh coloured fabric was artfully placed over the middle of her chest, but even knowing that, Evie blushed when she looked in the mirror.’

• Fancy Nancy written by Jane O’Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glass – Fancy Nancy became a role model for all little girls in the last decade or so. Who can argue with a pint-size heroine who tells us ‘lace-trimmed socks do help me to play football better’?

• Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder – remember the small scene where Ma is in such a hurry that – heaven forbid – she accidentally ties Mary’s blue ribbons onto Laura’s brown braids and Laura’s pink ribbons onto Mary’s golden braids? The sisters smile at each other and toss their braids to the front of their shoulders so they can admire their ribbons, for Laura is tired of her pink ribbons and Mary tired of her blue ones.

• Bird by bird by Anne Lamott – this is a book about writing, not fashion but there is a brief line where Anne talks about putting on her girl-writer dress for an important meeting with her editor. There’s no description of what a girl-writer dress looks like but in my head, it’s similar to my red wool dress with the cream trim and gold buttons!

• All our shimmering skies by Trent Dalton – this book has a wonderful twelve-year-old heroine, Molly Hook, who has her eye on a sky-blue satin dress in the window of Darwin’s Ward’s Boutique in the 1940s. It’s a ‘teenager’s dress and a going-out dress that Molly could wear to a dance or to a Hollywood premiere on the arm of Gary Cooper, if only she wasn’t so busy digging graves in Darwin, Australia.’

Thank you for supporting research into ovarian cancer by educating yourself or donating to Leane’s fundraising page here. Leane and I are grateful for your support.

At a writing retreat I attended in February this year, Canadian author Sarah Selecky suggested that if we truly loved a book, we could write a letter to the author.

This was not about flicking off a quick email – oh no! Nor was it a quick rummage through the junk drawer to find a crumpled writing sheet. This was to be a thoughtful act, worthy of a beautiful card.

A few months ago, I read an Australian book that I loved so much, I wanted to tell the author exactly why I loved it. So I spent five minutes at our local newsagency choosing a gorgeous card with an image that kinda matched the book. I even made practice notes on what I wanted to say, lest I mess up that gorgeous card! Then I wrote a letter in smallish writing on both sides of the card.

I did not mention I was an aspiring writer. I did not write my email address or my blog address. I did not want this author to think that I needed a response from her.

It was a small gesture to say thank you for writing a book that took my breath away. Thank you for giving up late nights out and Netflix and weekend coffees with friends. Thanks for writing before work or after work. Thanks for writing through periods of self-doubt. Thanks for writing all the drafts. Thanks for editing and editing and editing it. Thanks for writing your book so I could have the pleasure of reading it.

I posted the card to her publisher during the first Melbourne lockdown. I hope it found its way to her!

Perhaps there’s an author out there who needs to hear from you!

A couple of months later this year, Australia’s Love your bookshop day is tomorrow, 3rd October. It’s an annual celebration of the way bookshops offer not only books as physical products but bring communities together, celebrate a love of reading, offer carefully curated lists, support novelists and contribute to literary discussions.

My local bookshop, Readings, has kept us going this year with a wide range of children’s fiction, young adult, adult fiction and adult non-fiction. For many of us, reading has offered us escapism during this tough time.

Many bookshops in Victoria are offering a contactless click and collect service or you can order online.

As well as supporting bookshops, buying books supports writers. Did you know that writers usually only receive 10% of the price of the book? There are so many people involved in publishing a book: there’s the writer, structural editor, copyeditor, publisher, typesetter, interior designer, cover designer, proofreader, marketing team, sales team, public relations specialist, printer and the bookshop team.

So many people who contribute their talents to the book all need a slice of the pie.

So by buying a book, you’re supporting a whole industry including a writer who usually has a day job or supplements their writing with teaching, mentoring or grants because writing a book can sometimes only bring in a tiny amount. Often debut writers will have a print run of 3,000 books – so if you consider a book worth $24.95, that’s $7,485 for years of work, presuming that all 3,000 books are sold.

If you want to read a book by your favourite writer or if you want your local bookshop to continue their wonderful offerings, please support writers and your local bookshops.

One of the benefits of this pandemic we’re all in is that many live events have gone online. Because of this, I listened to a conversation between creative luminaries Julia Cameron and Elizabeth Gilbert. They have both written numerous novels and non-fiction books on creativity – way too many to mention but Julia is well known for The artist’s way and Liz for Eat pray love.

It was run by the How To Academy – I listened to the replay as even for Julia and Liz, I wouldn’t/couldn’t stay up until 3am!

Julia created the idea of morning pages for blocked artists – writers, actors, musicians, painters, sculptors, filmmakers and so on. Morning pages are almost the first thing to do when you wake up – three pages of longhand writing about anything that crosses your mind. You bring all the rubble to the surface – it’s not art, not real writing. The idea is to write from the petty to the profound. It’s important to keep your hand moving across the page – this trains you to expand, to make you larger than your current size. Julia calls pages the bridge – when people are ready to change sizes, from little you to big you.

In response, Liz said it was surprising the insights that ended up being the bridge. She quoted Einstein, who said that the same mind that created the problem cannot solve the problem. (I keep hearing this quote come up again and again!) Because you’re trying to draw the information out of a mind that won’t change, you become stuck. And when you’re stuck, the morning pages become your bridge. Liz described how first thing in the morning, you haven’t had time to become yourself so when you write your morning pages, the gatekeeper isn’t awake, so everything can slip in.

Julia also created the idea of artist dates, when you take yourself out weekly for a solo expedition. It could be a movie, a walk in a different part of your city, a class in a different medium, a visit to a gallery or museum. Creativity isn’t sensible, Julia reminded us. Serious art is born from serious play. Our lives of chores and work and obligations can drain our creative well, therefore we need artist dates to replenish ourselves.

Liz described artist dates as a disruption to the commuter mind, the mind that despairingly believes tomorrow will be exactly the same as today. A friend once told her that we should do something different until something better comes along. The artist date is a way to do just that, to break up the monotony of the same breakfast, parking spot, office meeting.

Liz spoke with gentle humour about the many times people have asked her – how can I stop the world and go on a spiritual journey? She laughed and said that the pandemic is similar to an Indian ashram – many of us are invited to do absolutely nothing now. And there are the same feelings of rage, frustration, anger, regardless of whether it’s trying to sit on a meditation cushion in an ashram or being cooped up at home now. Her advice was to stay with it. Stop filling in time with activities and finding replacements for shopping and catching up. Go to your room and think! She said we’re social animals but we’re also spiritual. It’s beneficial to stop and get very still.

Their conversation has inspired me to greatness in my writing. Anyone else feeling inspired to write or bake or garden or create something?

Usually I share with you, dear readers, books that I’ve read. This time, I’m sharing books that I’m going to read. I’m in luck with birthday books from last month and a few others. Perhaps you can recommend my next book to read?

Adult fiction

Bluebottle by Belinda Castles – this is written by a friend of mine so I’m looking forward to reading this Australian family story. I met Belinda at a writing retreat earlier in the year, and was struck by her literary knowledge and commitment to her writing.

The question of love by Hugh McKay – a novel about marriage written by a psychologist – yes please!

A tale for the time being by Ruth Ozeki – a story about a Japanese girl, her great-grandmother and a writer. It was shortlisted for the Man Booker prize a few years ago.

Adult non-fiction

Deep Work by Cal Newport – hoping this will tell me how to enter into a deeply meditative yet completely alert state as I either write or edit! I’ll let you know …

Humankind, a hopeful history by Rutger Bregman – a bookclub book to be discussed next year. It came highly recommended so looking forward to some hope for humankind, much needed now.

Writing books

Writing from the body by John Lee – The subtitle states – for writers, artists, and dreamers who long to free their voice. I’m intrigued!

How to be an artist by Jerry Saltz – I am reading this in segments in between editing work. Each page has its own section so interesting as it is, I can restrain myself and not gorge on the whole book.

Children’s fiction

The lost souls atlas by Zana Fraillon – I’ve heard so many good things about this and loved her interview on The first time podcast. I’ve just started reading this one at night – interesting concept.

Australian book awards

I’ve been asked to be a judge for the Australian Business Book awards and have four books to review in the personal growth, wellbeing, sales and communication categories. They all look interesting and I’m keen to start reading.

So, which book should I choose next? How do you choose your next read?

Escaping lockdown life in Melbourne isn’t easy – 5k boundaries, permitted worker permits, night curfews. But, my friends, we do have our books!

I have recently escaped lockdown life in Melbourne by immersing myself in Janice Hadlow’s novel, The other Bennet sister, published a few months ago. Thanks to my well-read friend Steve for recommending it!

Jane Austen fans, you will know this title refers to Mary Bennet, the sister from Austen’s Pride and prejudice given the least amount of page space. Mary has no chance for more space, given she has to compete with her sisters – Jane’s beauty, Elizabeth’s wit and the silliness of Kitty and Lydia. But now Hadlow has given Mary a book of her own, and gosh, it’s a thick one at 655 pages.

Austen wrote one of the most memorable opening sentences in Pride and prejudice – It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

Hadlow echoes this with her opening line – It is a sad fact of life that if a young woman is unlucky enough to come into the world without expectation, she had better do all she can to ensure she is born beautiful. To be poor and handsome is misfortune enough; but to be penniless and plain is a hard fate indeed.

The other Bennet sister follows the story of Mary, showing her part in the story covered in Pride and prejudice, but then going on to show Mary’s life post Elizabeth and Jane’s weddings. I found this novel totally absorbing and felt transported back to nineteenth-century England, back to Pemberley, Netherfields, Longbourn and London, and on to the Lakes District. Hadlow writes so convincingly in Austen’s voice and her portrayal of all the familiar characters is authentic. I do have a slight quibble with Mr Collins but I’m prepared to let this minor character’s new temperament slide.

It inspired me to watch both the BBC version of Pride and prejudice with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, and the movie with Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfayden. Really, who needs to go out?

And I guess I could go back and reread all the Austen books. My grandparents gave me a hardback copy of Austen’s novels – one big volume – when I was a teenager. I still have it, but I bought myself a beautiful pale blue and gold box set of Austen’s novels a while ago so I would not give myself repetitive strain injury while simply reading!

So, really, with all this Austen goodness available, who needs to go out? Let me know, are you an Austen fan?

Dear readers, I hope you and your families are well. I really appreciate all the comments you leave on my posts and the emails you send me – it’s lovely to know that our words are connecting us.

This week, I bring you a review from one of Australia’s great fiction and non-fiction writers – Kate Grenville. Kate has a writing career spanning decades and has recently published her 16th book.

Her latest novel is A room made of leaves, a historical novel set in Australia in the late 18th century. Kate positions herself, Kate Grenville, as the editor of Elizabeth Macarthur’s secret diary, which is a fictionalised account of Elizabeth’s story of moving to Australia and surviving life there despite her husband’s bullish behaviour and actions.

Kate wrote a letter to readers on the Text Publishing blog, explaining that she had her idea when she read five words in a letter from Elizabeth – I blush at my error. The words were so unlike the restrained, bland and polite letters which Elizabeth usually wrote home. Kate knew she had a story here.

And she does. It’s a wonderful, immersing read.

While A room made of leaves is all about Elizabeth McArthur with a scattering of minor female characters, it made me think about all the stories of other women who made a new life in Australia in the 1780s.

There’s a fabulous interview with Kate Mildenhall and Kate Grenville on The first time podcast. Kate will also appear in an interview this Sunday with the Yarra Valley Writers festival.

Happy reading and listening!

Maya Angelou defines success this way – Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it. Note that her definition doesn’t include wealth or power!

In recent months, I’ve had more freelance editing work than I’ve had in the past sixteen and a half years since I left my full-time publishing job to look after my first baby. (That baby is now six foot two!)

I was ready to leave – I’d finished some interesting projects and would have been ready to work somewhere else had I not been pregnant.

I hung on to my freelance editing skills by my fingertips while I looked after three small kids, with a hands-on but often work-travelling husband. Sometimes I’d get up at 5am to do two hours before the kids woke up. In the afternoons, I’d put the baby to sleep and let the toddler watch a movie, while the oldest was at kinder or school so I could work for two hours in the afternoon. There were huge periods of time when I didn’t have a project and wanted one.

But now, probably thanks to COVID-19 where more people have time to write books, I’ve had a lot of editing work. And my projects are so interesting! I love reading so many varied stories and working with an array of talented writers, as well as the wonderful team at Publish Central. This year alone I’ve edited a book written by a mystic, a book on raising resilient children (many notes to self!), a children’s novel/self-help guide and a book on wellbeing among other projects. Now I’m deep in a book about self-fidelity at work, which has me thinking about myself back at work sixteen years ago and my working self now.

I’m not sure that I liked myself all that much, back at work in the late 90s, early 2000s. I liked the work I did but I didn’t like how I did it, giving up too many weekends to meet deadlines, being around managers and co-workers with different values to me.

But now, as a freelance editor, I love working from home. I’m set up in my home office, surrounded by books, plants, cards from friends, seen in the photo above. Thanks to my lovely friend M for the beautiful flowers which have kept me company all week!

Pre-COVID days, I could attend a school assembly or take a round of kids to basketball training without having to account for my absence. And now I can cook up a quick omelette or salad for lunch, take a walk, do some yoga stretches, chat with the kids in their breaks. Often I start our dinner in the slow cooker after lunch.

I think I’ve now achieved Maya’s trifecta of liking.

Sometimes editing is like cleaning your house – when the floor is vacuumed and mopped, the washing folded and the bathrooms cleaned, the effort involved is almost invisible. But when the bins overflow or the washing piles up, it’s noticeable. With editing, no one ever reads a book and exclaims, ‘My goodness, every word was spelt correctly and look at that perfectly punctuated dialogue!’ But if there’s one typo, there’s a complaint!

Of course, there’s a lot more to editing than spelling, grammar and punctuation. And most authors will thank their editor profusely in the acknowledgements because the editor usually understands exactly what they’re trying to express and helps them to realise their vision for their book.

I proofread a manuscript on social media this week. The book was well-written and needed little correction, except for inconsistent bullet lists. Perhaps no one would notice whether one page had bullet lists with fullstops and capital letters because each bullet point was a complete sentence and another page had lists with lower case letters and no fullstops because each bullet point completed the leading phrase. But consistency is important and visual elements like lists do help the reader to focus on the text.

Just like housework, there are many invisible jobs to do with editing but there’s a sense of satisfaction in having a clean bathroom and a neat set of bullet points! And as I’ve spent more time editing than cleaning in the last month, there’ll be a little cleaning catching up to do (for the whole family) this weekend!

What editing mistake or cleaning job frustrates you the most?