What a great conference in Melbourne this year, a highlight for me was that I was a finalist in two awards - The prestigous Valerie Parv Awards (for unpublished author/unpublished manuscript) and runner up in the Selling Submission competition. I did the wonderful Natasha Lester's plotting masterclass and attended many insightful sessions. Nalini Singh and …
Author: nmcunningham
I am an author and research scientist in entomology. I love historical and romantic fiction, especially stories set in Australia.
A new blog and website soon!
I've been investigating a new website for my writerly persona - one that involves a mix of science, romance and history (and a little on craft and technique) it's something I've been thinking of for a while if I am to take this business seriously (AKA something an actual published author would do). I want …
A new beginning – 2019
I realised that I haven't updated this blog a while and probably it was about time to fill you in on all writerly things that are happening in my life. Mostly all good! It's been a tumultuous six months! I guess the number one thing is that I now have a permanent job. Writing and …
The ups and downs of a creative life
2018 has been a good year. Well I think it has, but with that good fortune has come the lowlights too, the ones where you continually question yourself, your motives and your abilities. First of all, I finished a manuscript I was confident to show the world. After two rejections and 3 non-answers and a …
National Novel Writing month wrap up
So another year over and yes, I managed another 50k in 30 days! I have a brand new manuscript in very rough draft form ready and waiting for editing! In addition to my completing Nano I was picked as the recipient for the '30 covers in 30 days' program run through the official site! The …
Book review – A helmet for my pillow, Robert Leckie
I read and enjoy a wide range of fiction but rarely nonfiction and was recently compelled to read a war memoir, something I haven't really read much of - here is my review from Goodreads. Years ago, a family friend told my parents that I would not like a certain movie because it was a …
Continue reading Book review – A helmet for my pillow, Robert Leckie
The indecent flower
The glossy layered curves fold gentle around into a cuplike shape. The main colour is vibrant and dramatic and transitions into a flamboyant golden colour hue at the edge in stark contrast with the main. It dazzles the eyes if you look too long. Inside the cup, the soft folds reveal ominous, yet velvety, filaments …
Day 8 prompt: The curtain of grapes
The carpet of green grass rolled down through the rows of vines and down to the bottom of the paddock. Joseph ambled down the gentle slope to the fence line then began a gentle stroll back up to the homestead. The smell of ripening fruit hit his nose as he hit the top of the …
A life in pictures and in words of love
My Dearest Pa, There’s this picture of you from when you were a boy sitting in a small go-cart surrounded by three of your sisters. You don’t look happy. Surly is the best description I have for it, but it makes me laugh when I think what might have been going through your mind at …
Day 7 Prompt: the magpie and the cockroach
Sleek and quiet, the black and white of the magpie blends into the shadows of dusk. One last meal is all it’s after, before the sun sets and only streetlights illuminate the grey asphalt of the road. Focussed and alert the magpie observes the sleek antennae of the cockroach glimmer in the last rays of …
Nancy Cunningham 