News

A big year ahead

I am really looking forward to this year ahead.  I love the start of the year when ideas and inspiration is fresh in my mind.  I think this year is going to be full one. Last year was highlighted by my RBY win and my trip to Hollywood. Who knows what this year will bring? Isn't that the thrill of life? Not knowing what's ahead but keeping positive and focussed on your goals. Well, that's my approach, anyway! 

I am excited about my Presents duo and the Sydney Harbour  medical continuity as well as the medical I am currently writing.  I have a lot of ideas for another Presents series so all I need now is the time and space to write. 

I am looking forward to going to RWA in Anaheim as well as a trip to London. I desperately want to meet my new editor face to face. But most of all I am looking forward to digging deeper and deeper into my writing to bring my readers the sorts of stories that stay with them.  

warmest wishes,

Melanie Milburne

Moving Fast Through November

This month is one of the fastest moving in the calendar year for me. I think it's because Christmas is around the corner. The days just fly past! 

I have a lot on this month. I have a talk with the Howrah Probus Group as well as Business East dinner on the Eastern shore in Hobart.  And I have a birthday too! 

On the book front- I have completed my Presents Duo. I am so thrilled with these two book due out in 2012. Deserving of His Diamonds is Gisele and Emilio's story which is quite possibly the most emotionally wrenching book I've ever written. The second- Enemies at the Altar is one of those books that more or less wrote itself. Andreas and Sienna are sworn enemies. They absolutely loathe each other and are forced together in marriage in order to inherit money and property. It is a classic case of opposites attack and attract! I loved wiring their dialogue and I still smile when I think of the last scene when Andreas comes to claim Sienna. 

Now I am working on a new Medical. Jake Chandler has his hands full when a new A&E doctor arrives from London. Kitty Cargill is a fish out of water who finds herself in over her head and head over heels in love with her new boss. 

The other thing I have been working on is some dog whispering with young Lily. She is now able to do ten or more tricks. She is a clever little thing. I am proud of her. Polly has joined in with the tricks. She didn't want to be outdone by her daughter! 

I hope your November is a happy one!

Melanie Milburne

Racing Through the Year!

Where does the time go? I keep thinking the years go past so quickly because I'm getting older but even much younger people tell me how fast the year flies by. Before I know it I will be thinking about Christmas. Next month I will make the pudding and the cake. I can't believe it's time for that again!

I have been working on a Presents Duo. The first book is called Deserving of His Diamonds. It is easily the most emotional book I have ever written. The second is as yet untitled and I am loving the characters. Two sworn enemies are thrown together in a marriage of convenience in order to inherit a fortune. I'll keep you posted on who them and their title.

Writing is very time consuming so I guess that's why the year seems to have flashed by. I love the process of playing with characters. It is so deeply satisfying to craft a novel from a kernel of a story idea to the finished product. I don't think I will ever get tired of that wonderful feeling of achievement. 

Happy reading!

Melanie 

Romantic Book of the Year Win!

Attending The Australian Romance Writers 20th Anniversary Conference in Melbourne was particularly exciting for me as I won The R*BY award which is The Romantic Book of the Year. I was nominated in both the Sweet/Traditional and Sexy category. I won for the Sweet/Traditional for The Doctor's Rebel Knight.  Although my author's voice is more in line with the Sexy/Modern category, this book in particular had a softer approach as the characters more or less dictated that. This book is really special to me as I wrote it for The National Heart Foundation as part of their silent auction.
Hearing my name announced was just like being at The Oscars, What was so special was the roar of the crowd. I felt very humbled by everyone's support.

In my acceptance speech ( which I hastily thought of as I walked up to the podium) I spoke of how my triumph was really someone else's tragedy in that there can only be one winner. But then life is like that.  We all take turns at both triumph and tragedy, don't we?

Thank you to all of my readers who make my job all the more enjoyable at moments like this. To be awarded this accolade is truly an honour I will always treasure.

Warmest wishes,

Melanie Milburne

Back home and back at work.

What a fabulous time I had in New York! It was probably the best conference I've ever been at. I loved everything about it. So many lovely people and so many fabulous memories to take back home. It really was fantastic meeting up with other authors and doing lunch and afternoon tea or dinner. It's always great to have face to face time with editors and some I had met for the very first time so that was particularly lovely.

Now of course, it's back to work. I have a Presents duo I'm working on as well as another Medical which is screaming at me to be written. The characters have been in my head for months. I think it will be one of those glorious books that writes itself. Or at least that's what I hope!

Happy reading!

Melanie

New York Here I Come!

I am counting the days until I leave for New York for the Romance Writers of America conference. This will be my first conference in five years so I am really excited. It is also the first time I will have a book out, two in fact: One Last Night in June and The Wedding Charade in July.

The wonderful thing about traveling is it is so inspirational. The people you meet, the places you see, the food you eat: all of it adds to the tapestry of a writer's life.

Conferences are fabulous as I love talking to writers and aspiring writers and of course fans. It's great to meet people face to face, to catch up with editors over drinks or dinner. It's about the only time of the year when I get to feel like a world famous author! The rest of the time I am holed up in my office working all by myself.

If you are coming to New York I will be at the Literacy author signing as well as hanging around the conference so don't be shy! It will make my trip all the more wonderful to meet you. 

Happy reading and warmest wishes.

Melanie