Hi everyone,
A friend of mine has just spent five days walking in the Tasmanian Tarkine Wilderness. It is the most pristine place and I would dearly love to visit. It is under a cloud of controversy at the moment as there are plans to put an access road in which will mean the beautiful and untouched area could be compromised. I am hoping it won't go ahead but it is hard to stop these things sometimes. Progress is not always progressive is it?
On a lighter note I have had a brilliant week of writing. The words have been pouring out of my fingertips and I have loved every minute. Sometimes the craft of writing can be arduous and some of the enjoyment can be leached out when you are under deadline pressure or indeed life pressures. It's been a real treat to have a few days when this has not been the case. Long may it continue!
I hope you have a lovely week. No one has commented lately so please feel free. I hope it's not because you're having trouble getting through. I have been trying without success so far to comment on iheartpresents but the techie is working on it. I love to hear from you so type away!
All the best,
Melanie x

Hi folks,
I am always a little hesitant to say how well I am going with a current work in progress for sometimes it jinxes me! But here goes, I am going to risk it. I had a great week and weekend with my characters. I hope to finish this book by the end of the month as I have an absolutely brilliant idea for a new novel. Creativity is a funny thing-the more you write the more ideas you get. Apparently it's all those brain connections firing up.
The weather is gorgeous right now, cool evenings and mornings but bright and calm during the day. We went for a drive on Saturday down the Channel ( following the Derwent River to Peppermint Bay) where we took the dogs for a walk and then had scones and jam and cream and a coffee. It was a lovely break and the dogs thought it was wonderful to have some new smells to explore.
I have worked hard in the pool this week so the overindulgence of chocolate is now sorted out. It's funny how a little exercise makes one feel so much better. I am a bit of an exercise junkie, I have a lot of energy and feel really antsy if I don't get out there and work off some of it. It is also my thinking time so I do a lot of sorting out of scenes in my head while I swim or walk the dogs.
Thanks for to all my US readers who have put me on the Waldenbooks bestseller list last week. What a lovely surprise!
Have a fabulous week,
Melanie x

Hi everyone,
I have eaten too much chocolate. Now I feel awful, especially as I have been out of the pool for over a week as my shoulder has been giving me trouble. Arrrgggh! I hate this feeling. I am usually so active and although I've walked for more than a hour a day I still feel blah. I am sure I am not the only one after four days of Easter. Come on, fess up. How many of you over-indulged? It's like Christmas, isn't it? Too tempting for words.
On a positive note I have been catching up on movies. I love curling up and really getting into the whole mood of a film. As a writer I see them very differently from what I used to. Now I am closely examining body language and dialogue, not to mention plot. It's very inspiring. I feel like my batteries have had a bit of a charge.
I hope you have had a great time over Easter. For those of you still away, have a safe trip home.
Cheers,
Melanie x

Hi everyone,
Well it's only a few days until we hit the chocolate to celebrate Easter. Australia has a reputation for being one of the worlds' largest consumer of chocolate at Easter. How amazing! When you think there are only 20 million people here that is a lot of chocolate eggs! It is a lovely time of year here, but I also have very fond memories of being in Scotland with the bulbs pushing their heads above the ground, or at least starting to. So wherever you are in the world and whatever Easter mean to you I wish you a happy time.
I am working on a new medical which has been going well. I love the first few chapters as I get to know the characters. They evolve as I go which is exciting as different facets to them become apparent.
I hope your week is a happy and healthy one-in spite of the chocolate!
Cheers,
Melanie