It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

This is just a super quick post to wish all you amazing people a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you so much for following my blog, this last year has been amazing and it really does mean the world. I've been quiet this last month or so because of personal excitement and replanning/rewriting one of my WIPs but I look forward to the more glorious adventures in the coming year.

Take care for the holidays.

Much love, Heather.

A Very Important Date

I'd like to think that due to the month-long hiatus I've been busy pounding out 50,000 words for nanowrimo but unfortunately, that's not the case. Instead, I've been super busy planning a little thing called a wedding. More specifically, my wedding, which is happening tomorrow.

It's crazy the strange mix of emotions I'm going through right now. I'm nervous and excited and anxious an tired and it's causing me to snap at everyone, fidget, and I have an ulcer in my mouth the size of a mountain. One of my bridesmaids have a blister that the others are peer-pressuring her to pop. It's gross so instead of joining the stabbing, I'm blogging. Because I've missed it, because I want to vent some of these hostile feelings.

Overall though, I'm pretty relieved the planning is nearly over. It'll be the best day tomorrow, no matter how much goes wrong. We've had some cocktails, watched Bridesmaids, and once the blister is gone we'll get out the mattresses and watch Harry Potter.

Whether you like it or not I'll be posting some pictures in the near future.

And this time tomorrow, I will have an unpronounceable last name.

Now I'm off to help the others convince this girl not to be such a wuss. Aaaaand... Done.

The Ally Coalition

This is my blog, and therefore I retain the right to rant.

My name is Heather Bryant. And I'm an Ally because God loves all people - not just those that slot into a conventionalised world.

I don't know how many of you guys follow politics (especially those in Australia) but while America is able to rise up and support a future of change with Obama and reject the (mostly) backwards declarations of Romney, Australia is unable to do so. Recently, the Australian senate voted on the right to same sex marriage and came back with a total of 26 in favour, 41 against.

WHAT IS THAT?!

Now, I know I'm getting into dangerous territory discussing American politics as it is only something I follow around election time but the rights of the LGBT community is something that I'm pretty outspoken on. I just can't understand how Australia's government can claim to be foreword-thinking and 'politically correct' then reject a matter as important as this in a country that has such loud support for LGTB. Mardi Gras is one of the biggest and most hotly anticipated events of the year! If we can be so intolerant of racism, how is this any different?

So I have a mission for you, dear followers. My favourite band Fun. (who I am mega excited to be seeing live in March), and the wonderful Rachel Antonoff have started The Ally Coalition. These guys have seriously been elevated to super-star level in my eyes and I would love to see you guys showing your support for such a worthy cause. Join the fight for equal rights. No human being is better than another. Like their Facebook page and get involved - make your voice heard!

And get the word out there, that's what we have these darn blogs for right? I really couldn't care less if you copied and pasted this post word for word (promise). This kind of injustice really gets to me.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Antonoff/49084570926?fref=ts

Thank you to every one of you awesome bloggers who DO take up the challenge. And if you haven't heard of Fun.'s music, or seen Rachel Antonoff's brilliant designs - shame on you! You're missing out.

It will be back to regular blogging from the next post onwards.

Rant over.

Nano - yes or no?

I have a whole 4.5 hours to decide whether or not I shall participate. I have once before and I wrote exactly 1000 words before my mind rebelled and wouldn't let me go any further. Super lame.

I have a whole lot of ideas going on and honestly, it would be good to take a break from Jenna and just ruthlessly pound out 50,000 words. I really do want to do it.

There are two things stopping me though. One, I never can turn that inner editor off. I just can't keep writing if I know I've made some royal screw up. It just bugs and bugs and bugs me until I go back and fix it. The second reason, and probably the most important, is my wedding is on the 1st of December. As it gets closer I'm sure I'm going to be getting a whole lot more stressed and because of the holidays I'm taking, I need to make sure everything at work will keep running without me. BUT I will be finished uni.

http://www.zazzle.com.au/to_write_or_not_to_write_mousepad-144985587859381520

So have any of you guys done Nano before and if so, care to share any secrets with me? And do you vote yay or nay on the whole giving it a go thing? I really hate to lose so I just don't know how I'm going to handle it...

AND last but not least. Books have been sent to everyone who emailed me - don't forget to let me know what you think :)

Proof I've been Productive

I promised that once I was done with this project that's kept me away for so long, I'd post what we came up with. This video was made as part of a first year Communication course with the University of Newcastle. We had to create a short documentary on someone who was 110% sports mad for the ABC Open site. Clicky the link to see more deets.

I'll admit there were a few more things I would have liked to do to get this fully polished but we just ran out of time. As usual, all feedback welcome :)

Roller Derby Rookie from Heather Bryant on Vimeo.

For my giveaway, books will be posted as of Monday. I have emails from Erika, Stacey, Lacey and Aldrea so if you've sent me your addy and your name isn't there, just let me know and send it through again so I can keep an eye out for you.

Should be back to regular posting from now on.

I missed you guys!

Followers Giveaway - For the WIN!

The main reason for this blog is to announce the winners of my giveaway! I've been super slack round these parts lately but uni has amped up to a massive level in its final weeks. So much pre production, filming and post production to be crammed in. And once the mini vid is done, I'll post it here just to prove to you guys that I have actually been working.

The second thing occupying my time is plotting out a new ending to my WIP and the early ideas for a whole new novel altogether (because, you know, I totally don't have enough already). These two things are causing me to sit up into the early hours of the morning and sadly, my real life job is being BADLY affected.

Anywho, I'm sure you'll see a lot more posts in the near future. And to my lovely crit partners - sorry for slacking off! I'm making very slow, but steady progress on your crits. I haven't forgotten ;P

I have decided to send out books to everyone who commented on my giveaway post. (Let me know if e-versions are more preferable). What I need from you guys is an address, so send them to my email heather_b@live.com.au in the exact format I would need in order to send them because I am TERRIBLE with international addresses and there's a high chance they'll get lost if it's not done 100%.

Pk Hrezo - Divergent
Stacey - Cinder
Laura - The Selection
Aldrea Alien - The Hunger Games (silly girl having never read them...)
Cynthia - Shatter Me
Erika - Shatter Me or The Selection
Lacey T - Legend or Divergent
Peggy - Cinder or The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Please let me know if any of you guys have acquired these books since your comment. Also, if you end up reviewing these books on your blog, make sure to let me know. I'd love to check them out!

GUTGAA - Small Press Contest

My pitch is up over at Deana Barnhart's blog! I'd love if you guys could jump over here and give me some feedback. I'm going through the entries on her blog now and leaving some feedback and OH MY GOD, there's no way I'll make it through. Some of those queries are amazing, I have serious work to do.

If you have a query up, please leave me a comment with the link. Also, my 100 followers give away is up on the blog below.

To whoever is in the contest - good luck guys! Hopefully one of you is going to get a publication out of this :D

100 Follower Giveaway!

Holy hell I can't believe I made it! When I started this blog I had a hard time believing I would a) actually blog, and b) have anyone think this stuff was worth looking at.

Over the weekend I was super busy with wedding stuff and didn't get a chance to check in at all. And what would you know? I breached that magic number!

Now because I clearly have the best followers in the world, I'm going to host my blog's very first giveaway. To say I'm excited would be an understatement. Honestly though, you guys are what makes blogging worth it. All the lovely comments, the support, and great advice. The fact that you guys take time out of your busy lives to brighten mine. I love you all so much for it!

ENOUGH OF THE MUSHY - GET TO THE PRIZES!

I am going to give away a copy of every book I have reviewed on this site AND (because there's really not as many as I thought) I am going to offer a beta/crit read of either your first chapter (or 20 double spaced pages) OR your query and synopsis. Now, I'm not going to pretend like I'm super important and know everything but I DO know another pair of eyes can be helpful so I'm offering up mine.

The books up for grabs are:

Legend by Marie Lu

Cinder by Marissa Meyer (my favourite :P)

Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Eve by Anna Carey

The Selection by Kiera Cass (my second favourite)

If you're after a beta/crit read, just know there won't be a fast turn-around (because you know, life) so if you're after something in a hurry, probably not the best option.

OKAY! So the way I figure it, I'm giving away one of each book and two read-throughs. I've linked to the reviews I wrote on those books in case you haven't heard of any of them (I don't know how you wouldn't have though) so let me know in the comments which option you are after. If there are multiple requests for something, there will be a random number generator used to decide.

Okay, I think that's it.

Thanks again for being so damn awesome.

I'll be there for you...

I was watching Friends the other day and it suddenly occurred to me exactly how much I wanted to jump in a fountain and dance around with friends of my own. I knew who, I knew which fountain, and I knew the people I wanted to do it with me.

I could see it exactly.

en.wikipedia.org

I love Friends like nothing else. The characters are so relatable, the story lines are so intricate and plausible, and there are ongoing jokes woven throughout that give me stitches in my side. The episode I saw the other night was so incredible I just had to share it. The entire episode took place in Monica's apartment and each character had a conflict all their own.

Ross was counting the minutes they had until it was time to leave for his benefit dinner and was hopelessly trying to get everyone ready.

Rachel didn't know what to wear.

Chandler wanted Joey out of his chair, and Joey didn't want to 'lose'.

Phoebe WAS ready until Joey got hummus all over her dress.

Monica beeped into her ex boyfriends answering machine and heard a message from a mystery woman.

Each of these story lines, while simple, were woven so seamlessly together and each character was involved in either helping or hindering another.

This is the kind of thing I try to apply to my writing. The characters should all lend their support to each other, and each conflict should consume the characters in a real, non melodramatic way. And the most important thing, it should never get boring.

Is there a perfect example you can think of? Or has there been a time (either book or movie) that you've experienced and seen yourself doing that exact event? (Like the crazy fountain-rain-dance)

Second point of business is the GUTGAA small press contest opens tomorrow night. I'm super keen to enter but there's a high chance I'll miss out again. We'll see. In preparation though, anyone who could jump back to here and take a look at my pitch would be an absolute gem. If you have a pitch as well, I'd be only too happy to 'be there for you' too.

Blogspiration (16): The Cough-a-loff-a-gus

Blogspiration is a Brand Spankin' New weekly meme hosted by both GrowingUp YA and Saz101. The meme was created to help spark inspiration among bloggers, readers and writers alike. An inspirational quote/picture/video is posted weekly, on the day of the author's choosing, so that it may inspire creativity, conversation and just a little SOMETHING.

You've probably already seen this picture but holy hell, every time I come across it I can't help the laughter. It's too good. I always correct spelling errors in work memos or emails from by boss. Luckily for me, they take it in good spirits. And more than one of them has sent me this picture. I don't claim to be perfect when it comes to language rules however I DO think people should exercise a basic understanding. In my mind, not knowing the difference between the 'there's', the 'to's' and 'bought/brought' just really isn't acceptable. 

So what about you? Is there anything you guys see that just hurts your brain? And do you ever have the compulsion to STOP THE GRAMMAR OFFENDER IN THEIR TRACKS? Or do you suffer your literary allergy silently and try not to gag on that lump of word vomit trying to explode out of you?

The Follow-Swap Blog HOP!

There once was a little blog.

That little blog had a heap of friends but no one wanted to talk to her.

She wasn't the type of blog to get food stuck in her teeth during dinner.

She wasn't the type of blog to make plans and cancel at the last minute.

She was just a nice, little, blog.

Who had no real friends.

Do you ever get that feeling? I know I do. I know that no matter how fun or entertaining or crazy I make my blog there's always someone out there doing better. Well. It's time for your little blog to step up from the sandbox and make some real friends. It's time to connect with the people you follow and get rid of the whole 'follow-back-for-the-sake-of-it' mentality. How often do you scroll through your reading list with frustration at the lack of anything interesting? If the answer is often, this blog hop is for you.

Launching Saturday (US time), the wonderful Katherine Amabel is starting her blog hop. This will be your chance to put your best blog forward in order to gain followers who actually have an interest in what you do. It will also be your chance to follow some people whose work you actually want to read.

We want the word to spread, and if you know there's someone out there that hasn't heard about it already, reblog and share the fun! She has a badge, she has a linky list, now all she needs is you, dear friends. The people are what make it worthwhile.

Read more about the awesomeness at Beyond The Hourglass Bridge.

And get amongst it!

GUTGAA: Revised Ptich

Thanks to the amazing advice you guys gave me I've revised. AND I'm hoping you'll be lovely enough to 'have at' the new version. 

Come to Florende, you’ll be safe there. That’s what they promised.

Jenna Rose was dumb enough to believe them. As a majesty, it's law for Jenna to defend the city against attack from the Cordels, and while Jenna is primed for high society and made to attend cut-throat combat events, her sister has to slum it with the norms.

The Cordels haven’t attacked in fifteen years, and the inequality in Florende has shortened the norms’ memories. With the bloodbath forgotten, the norms are over the oppression and the waste of time and money the majesty's training is costing them. But the Cordel’s have heard about Jenna, the majesty that can steal powers from another, and while the norms rebel inside Florende the Cordel’s are sending in their scouts. What no one seems to realise, is the problem with Jenna’s majesty. And the more she's made to use it, the further her sanity slips over the edge.

Florende is collapsing from the inside.

Jenna’s sister is helping make it happen.

The Cordel’s are getting ready on the outside.

And, piece-by-piece, Jenna feels like she’s losing control.

You’ll be safe there, they said. They were wrong.

If you're back to give me a hand with this - thank you so very much! I know how tiring it can be to go over and over someone's query with them but I also know how exciting it can be when they finally get there. 

I'm not saying this is there yet, but I have tried to cut it down, clear it out, and inject some voice. I got so much great advice the first time around and if you guys have the time, I'd love feedback on this one too. 

Is it better? Worse? Are there still some things I'm missing or adding that I shouldn't? Or has this query completely gone stale?

I don't know. Which is why I need you.

Gutgaan's passing on the love!

Despite my horribly busy week, I've made myself find time to post this. The lovely Rhiann awarded me with a blogger appreciation award (isn't she tops?) last week and I'm only just finding time to thank her very muchly.

Here are the Rules of the Game (for those I'm about to nominate):

1. Identify and show appreciation to the blogger who nominated you.
2. You must add the reward logo to your blog.
3. Tell your readers 7 things about yourself.
4. You must nominate 5-10 of your favourite bloggers for this award.
5. Inform you nominees that you nominated them.
Easy peasy, right?

The seven random dwarves:

1. The first thing to know about me is I'm terrifyingly fascinated with the world. I mean, if we can go a whole night dreaming, and believe what we see is real, how the hell do we trust our waking hours?

2. I was once in love with Tuxedo Mask. Yes, I realise he's a cartoon character but I think he was my first fictional love. That stupid meatball-head frustrated the heck out of me with her cluelessness.

3. I'm petrified by the idea of having kids. Considering I'm getting married in less than 10 weeks, and The Boy wants a whole litter, I'm thinking I'll be confronted with this fear incredibly soon.

4. The Simpsons doesn't interest me. I know. Shocking. But Family Guy totally rocks The Simpsons' arse.

5. I have multiple personalities depending on where I am and who I'm with. At work, I'm a bit of a bitch and strict as all hell. At uni, and with my friends, I'm pretty easy going and laid back. When writing, I'm a great big ball of sarcasm, and when I'm around The Boy's friends I'm pretty timid and polite (I really don't know where this comes from but my sarcasm just doesn't go down well with them).

6. Since before I could remember, I swore I'd die young. And by young, I mean forties. I guess we'll see.

7. I'm seriously not afraid of death. Okay, I know this is easy to say when you're nice and safe at home but I mean it. I believe in God and I think it's that which gets me past the whole 'wah -, I'm going to die' hang up. I'm told that will change when I have kids. And I refer those people to #3.

So that's some stuff off the top of my head. Judge me by it or not, but I still love you guys. Because even more than any of those things, I love people and the things people do completely blow my mind.

Now to pass on the love.

Ink in the Book - because she has just an optimistic view on life - what's not to love?
Ru - because she gives some awesome advice on her blog and seems to have all the time in the world for her followers.
Unavoidable Awkwardness - I first fell in love with her blog title. And then I fell in love with her blog. Plus she loves the White Strips. Laurie equals awesome.
Entertaining Interests - because nine times out of ten her blog scares the shit out of me. And I love her for it anyway.

I know I'm supposed to do five but these four are so full of awesome they make up for it. Have fun!

Blogspiration (15): We're all in this together

Blogspiration is a Brand Spankin' New weekly meme hosted by both GrowingUp YA and Saz101. The meme was created to help spark inspiration among bloggers, readers and writers alike. An inspirational quote/picture/video is posted weekly, on the day of the author's choosing, so that it may inspire creativity, conversation and just a little SOMETHING.

Check out these gal's awesomeness:

http://saz101.blogspot.com.au/
http://growingupya.blogspot.com/

Okay you guys, I've been a little slack at the blogspirations this month, which is crazy because I've been super motivated with my writing. I don't know if this motivation is because I'm procrastinating the million other things on my to-do list, but I DO know it has to do with a certain someone's blog hop. 

Now, it's not the blog hop per say that's sent me into this typing machine, I think it has to do with the people I'm meeting. Some of them are at the stage I'm at in their writing journeys, some a little behind, some are a little ahead. We're all at different levels, have different styles, but each and every one of them is MEGA AWESOME!

The fact that these guys take time out from their busy writing (and life) schedule to help each other out is what's inspiring. They're all so patient, and so knowledgable, and so willing to help out. It gives me faith that the business I so badly want in on is worth it. And the fact that they're all trying SO DAMN HARD, makes me want to try hard too. 

We're not competitors, we're a support system. And with each new person who blogs about scoring their dream agent, makes me believe that will be me one day. 

So yes, my blog title this week is taken from a super-corny, 'new Disney' movie. But I truly believe it, and because of that, I'm more motivated than ever.

And Sarah and Kristin, thanks for bringing us all together here too.

No, I mean impassible. Nothing's impossible.

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/sam/sam.htm

It's now less than 6 hours until I can enter my pitch for Deana's GUTGAA pitch contest. It is this contest that could get my work in front of an agent if I'm lucky enough. I have tough competition though, from hundreds of other hopefuls. And they're good - I've seen the pitches I'm up against.

So I want - no NEED - your help! I've had my pitch critiqued and revised based on some of the comments I've had. 

I'm still having my doubts about whether it's ready though, which is where you dear people come in. 

First, does my pitch get your attention? Second, are there any big issues you can spot? And third, does it completely suck?

PLEASE be honest. I don't want to hear how great it is unless you legitimately think that. Otherwise, it doesn't help at all. So here goes. 

My Pitch.

Come to Florende, they said. You’ll be safe there, they said.

Jenna Rose has found out she’s a majesty with the power to copy another’s gift. For safety, her whole family is relocated to Florende, a military capitol and safe haven from the Cordels, where Jenna attends a school that teaches her control and defence. When she graduates, she too can protect the city.

It’s been fifteen years since the Cordel’s last attacked so no one really knows what the majesties are still protecting them from. The norms are sick of the oppression. They’re over doing the dirty jobs while the majesties host parties and fancy combat events. Jenna’s sister is one of those norms. And she’s not used to being overlooked.

While the norms are causing trouble inside Florende, the Cordel’s are sending in their scouts. They’ve heard all about Jenna, and they plan to use her to their advantage. What they haven’t heard is that every time Jenna uses her power, her sanity slips that little bit over the edge. She’s sure something big is coming. She’s seen the signs, witnessed the unexplainable; the only thing lacking is evidence. The problem is, Jenna can’t tell the difference between what’s real and what’s in her head.

Florende is collapsing from the inside.

Jenna’s sister is helping to bring it down.

The Cordel’s are getting ready on the outside.

And, little-by-little, Jenna feels like she’s losing control.

You’ll be safe there, they said. They were wrong.

I was contemplating changing 'they' in the first and last sentences to 'he' as it doesn't make a massive difference. And I'm super worried that all the editing has torn my 'voice' from the page. 

I don't know. That's why I need help.

What did you think?