Colloquialisms -- Yes or No?

by Michelle Douglas

Earlier in the month I received one of the best reviews I’ve ever had (if you want, you can read the entire review here). It’s not reviews I want to talk about today, though, but an author’s voice, which this particular review has started me pondering. In her second last paragraph the reviewer says:

Michelle Douglas has a wonderful earthy style, writing in Australian English and drawing from her homeland the rhythms, the warmth and the space between what is realistic and what is possible. (If you're not used to the differences between American and Australian English, it may be a bit of a curve.)

Obviously I write in Australian English, because I’m Australian. :-) And when I first started writing I clung tightly to my Australian colloquialisms and speech patterns.

Why?

I like the way Australians speak. I like the unique and, often, colourful expressions my fellow countrymen utter. Very often this is the way I hear my characters (particularly my heroes) speaking inside my head.

And in homage to Aussie slang, here is a fine sampling:
* Her words hit him for a six.
* She’d grabbed the rough end of the stick there.
* She’s such a sticky beak.
* She didn’t give a flying fig.
* He’s a sandwich short of a picnic.
* Those are as scarce as hens teeth.
* She was as happy as Larry.
* She stared at him like a stunned mullet.
* He couldn’t take a trick.
* He was determined to be first cab off the rank.

I worry that language is becoming intolerably generic. Personally I like stumbling across a phrase I’ve never heard before and trying to work out what it means from the context it’s been used in, and I know I’m not alone in that.

BUT…

I’m starting to soften my stance.

Why?

I hate the idea of excluding anyone from my stories, of not including them in any in-jokes or making it difficult for them to understand the dynamics between my characters. When I wrote my Masters thesis—yes, I used formal language—but I deliberately shunned language that would make it difficult for a layperson to understand. By holding so tightly to my Australian colloquialisms, am I not doing precisely this—making it difficult for a person unfamiliar with the Australian vernacular to take part in my stories?

It’s occurred to me, however, that this isn’t an either-or situation. I can choose to tone down the Australian vernacular in my stories, but it doesn’t mean I can’t use lively and energetic expressions that will just as easily get my point across without baffling anyone (I hope).

Thoughts, anyone? Or perhaps you have a favourite colloquial expression of your own you’d like to share—beware, though, I may use it in my very next story. ;-)

Come meet my friends

by Barbara DeLeo

It’s been a typically crazy weekend in the DeLeo house, lots of sports, sleepovers here and away, and I’ve also had two special friends visit with their kids. Coincidentally, both these friends are called Heather and they’re two women who constantly inspire me so I thought I’d tell you about them.

Heather One came for dinner  Friday night with her three kids. She’s the sort of person who makes me feel exhausted even writing down what she achieves in a day. She’s the solo mum of three kids—twin girls and a boy—and has been parenting alone for the past eight years. She works full time in a very demanding job, grows an incredible vegie garden, has her own chooks, keeps bees, and is always planning the next enriching experience for her children. 

On top of all that this Heather has lost 65 kilos (no that wasn’t a mis-type, 65 kilos!). In the last year Heather has become half herself and it’s given her a whole new lease on life and a whole new level of energy.  Heather inspires me because she’s always ready to meet a challenge head-on. She’s self-reliant, fiercely loyal, and she makes the most of every single day.

It was stinking hot on Sunday afternoon and Heather Number Two popped around with her two beautiful daughters for a swim. Heather has been deaf from birth and communicates through sign language and lip reading. Her husband is also profoundly deaf, but both their children have perfect hearing. 

Heather Number Two inspires me for the way she navigates in a world of constant challenge. She’s brought up the most well-mannered, communicative and happy children and despite struggling with everything from work to socialising in a hearing world, is always positive and engaging.

Friends, especially my girlfriends, are incredibly important to me. I couldn't imagine a life without sharing hopes and fears with people I trust, but I'm also constantly inspired by the way my friends make the most of their lives. I love a fictional heroine who works through the challenges life throws at her, but I'm always heartened by the fact that there are so many women like that in the real world too.

I'd love to hear about a friend or someone who particularly inspires you.

Sunday Smooch!

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!


The winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway from Nicole Flockton and Bound By Her Ring is Jane B!

Jane, please contact Nicole at nicole@nicoleflockton.com and she will arrange your prize.


And now for today's Sunday Smooch from A Wedding She'll Never Forget by Robyn Grady.

Remembrance of Things Passionate                                                        

She's been making the "right" decisions all her life. But after elite D.C. event planner Scarlet Anders meets self-made billionaire Daniel McNeal—a rowdy, sexy male who laughs in the face of society—she wishes she could make different choices.

Then she trips over a tangled wedding veil and everything changes. Because the resulting memory loss turns prim-and-proper Scarlet into carefree Scarlet. She jumps at Daniel's offer of a wild affair. Yet when her memory returns, she realizes she's in love with this man—but is he willing to give her a wedding of her own?

 

 

[Set-up]  After Scarlet has made herself clear - she isn't interested in Daniel or his live-for-today type - he is dropping her home. He's told her a little about his background and has asked about her parents.

 

"They live in Georgetown, too," she said.

"Not too close for you?"

"We're a close family. In a healthy way. I make my own decisions. You know. Run my own life."

He chuckled. "Don't try so hard to convince me."

She fell quiet before adding, "Truth is…sometimes they do jump in with an opinion. But I guess most mothers are like that. Overly protective."

He inhaled deeply, then swallowed that damn ache again.

The GPS gave a few more instructions before he pulled up outside a block of upmarket town houses. The rain had stopped so he shut down the wipers. When he left the engine running, however, she seemed surprised.

"You're not seeing me to the door?"

"You don't want me to."

"Wow. You really are trying." Then she cocked her head. "Unless this is a reverse psychology thing where pulling back is supposed to draw me deeper into your web."

He held up his hands. "No webs. I didn't even see the latest Spider-Man flick. Yet."

"I've seen it twice. Right through to the very last credit."

"Well, a movie's not over until you've scanned the hundred names under visual effects."

"Now you're mocking me."

"Never."

She tried to hide a grin. "And here I was thinking you were the type who enjoyed getting a rise out of poor unsuspecting folk like me."

"Only if I'm sure they won't belt me."

"Then I should warn you I have a power right hook."

"Which is why I have only the utmost respect for you."

That twinge of a grin grew. "You do, huh?"

"Yeah." He paused. "I really do."

Her eyes were so bright. In the light filtering through her window, her face appeared almost luminous. Free of pretense. Even vulnerable.

Then, as if realizing that vulnerability, Scarlet's smile faded. At the same time, the space separating them seemed to shrink. That sense of sharing—of connecting—changed…spiraled wider, tunneled deeper. And then he was looking at her in a way he'd vowed that he wouldn't.

The tips of his fingers curled around the leather of the steering wheel. He wouldn't act on the need. Even when that superior force building inside of him was so strong…like a big wave curling over his head, pushing him forward, giving him no choice but to leave his sense of reason behind in the wash.

But in his heart of hearts, Daniel knew. Logic had never been the issue here. Not for either of them.

He edged closer.

When his mouth slanted over hers, her eyes drifted shut and those sweet lips parted on a sigh. Any second, he expected her to pull back. Slap his face. But as one heartbeat bled into the next, she only dissolved against him more as if she wanted him to know that she agreed. Despite her objections, this coming together was always going to happen.

His hand found the curve of her neck, the fast but steady beat of a pulse. As his tongue twined with hers, his fingers combed up to cradle the back of her head. They pressed closer, the kiss deepened and his desire to know more—take more—began to burn in his mind like a torch.

When their lips gradually parted, Daniel didn't sense anger. Certainly not disgust. As his gaze searched her face in the shadows, his hand slid around to cup her hot cheek. The pad of his thumb grazed the moist rim of her lower lip. Slowly her heavy-lidded eyes met his.

"You can't ever do that again," she said.

"That would entail never seeing you again."

"If that's what it takes."

He wanted to laugh. Man, was she stubborn.

"I respect that you don't want to blur the lines between personal and your business commitment to Caroline's wedding," he assured her. "And I heard that you've dated some guy with a digit at the end of his name—"

"I'm engaged," she cut in, and that still-wet bottom lip quivered. "To be married."

His gut kicked. That didn't compute. She was kidding. Had to be.

"I don't believe you," he said.

"We haven't made the announcement. Everett only asked me last night. The ring is being resized. It's an heirloom."

Daniel fell away, gripped the wheel. What the…?

He growled, "Spare me the details."

But there was one thing he did want to know. Why was she marrying a guy she didn't love? Because, while he'd never experienced that emotion himself, Daniel was bloody sure if he'd wanted someone enough to pop the question, he wouldn't be kissing someone else, not for any reason.

Still, that hardly made him a white knight in this situation. If he hadn't kept on. Hadn't insisted on this lift but had left her to stand there alone in the rain…

Shutting his eyes, he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I apologize," he said. "I'm not a good loser."

"I'm a far worse fiancée." Her head went back against the rest and, as if she were sick to her stomach, she groaned. "Bad doesn't come close to describing how I feel."

"I take responsibility—"

"No. It's my fault." She looked across at him with a gaze that was turned more inward than out. "You see, when I said I didn't trust you, what I should have said…what I should have understood was that I didn't trust myself."

 

 

Robyn is giving away a copy of A Wedding She'll Never Forget. To get into the spirit of Valentine's Day, leave a comment telling us what you have planned for Thursday...or what you'd like to have planned for you! You can learn more about Robyn's latest releases at www.robyngrady.com or follow her on Twitter at @robyngrady

 

Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced -- and a smooch from bestselling Desire author, Paula Roe, will be posted!

Wedding Excitment with Sue MacKay

Summer brings the sun and blue skies, warmth and calm seas. (Not mentioning the unseasonal snow we had earlier this week.) And it also brings weddings. The beautiful brides in ther gorgeous gowns and their stunning looking grooms scrubbed up for their best clobber.

This week is a busy one for us as we're going to a wedding on Saturday. We've got friends staying for most of the week who're also attending this wedding and all the functions associated with it. Seems weddings are more than the main ceremony and celebration nowadays. We've got a dinner on Friday as a warm up, and on Sunday a wind down brunch which the men are cooking.

This wedding is being held at a local resort and the bride is arriving by boat while the groom and his sidekicks are coming on jetskiies. James Bond? I might get to shake hands with Daniel Craig yet. Forget shaking hands. I'd be throwing myself at him.

Last week I went fishing with my man to get Blue Cod for the Sunday brunch and then yesterday he took the groom and two guests out to get scallops to go with the cod. They had a fabulous day out on the briny, more about telling tales on each other than hauling the shellfish from what I heard as I opened a couple of hundred of the delicious delicacies when they got back.

I've been shopping for a dress and the matching nail polish and lippie, not to mention the shoes. Had to wear the shoes around the house a few times to take that edge off them, if you know what I mean. All this adds to the building excitment. And while the men were out on the boat my girlfriend and I have been mulling over what to make for the wrap up dinner we're having here for the bride's family on Sunday night. In the midst of this the bride to be spent an hour here yesterday letting steam over all the things that weren't going exactly to a very rigid plan. Mounting tensions that will dissipate on the day. Fingers crossed.

For the last four months my office has been the storage space for all the wine and beer for the function. Very tempting on days when my writing was not going well, but I managed to resist. And now I have my office back to normal. Rather boring really. But I will get to sample the bubbles tomorrow.

I love weddings, big and small. All that romance and glam. The anticipation and excitment. Bring it on.

 I love imagining how the couple met and wondering if they knew instantly that this person was The One or whether that came later.

Are you going to a wedding this summer? Or already been to one?

Tell me what you enjoyed the most. I will send a copy of You Me and a Family to someone next month.

Bathroom: BR - Before Renovations!

By Sharon Archer

All That Glitters.... is not gold!  Nope, that glittery thing might be our bathroom!  And it’s about to be renovated!  All the glamorous, gleaming golden-ness is going to be swept away and replaced by perfect, pure plain-ness!

 

 

 

We can’t wait!  But I confess, I am soooo not looking forward to the nasty messy bits between the way it is and the way it will be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway, I thought I’d take you on a small ‘tour’ before it all happens...

 

 

These pictures don’t do justice to the wallpaper - I think the camera has trouble focussing because the odd flare of the foil finish.  Can’t use flash because the bounce-back is blinding! 

 

 The bath and basin are yellow porcelain, the old floor tiles are shrinking and starting to come up off the floor... I don’t think the grouting in the wall tiles was done properly so keeping the mold at bay is a full time job.  The shower is an old one so the door design has lots of grooves where the water likes to lie - and the mold likes that too!  

And it was all like this when we purchased the house sixteen years ago.  We promised ourselves we’d renovate... as soon as the budget would allow!  But then a weird thing happened - we stopped ‘seeing’ the awfulness of it!  Though whenever we take visitors in there for the first time it’s kind of fun to see them blink in the dazzle!  

So, back to the crux of the matter - renovations!  Got any tips to surviving them?

Funday Monday!

Find the LoveCats! 

To celebrate our anniversary, we've put together this word puzzle!  

We've been chatting with you here at the LoveCats DownUnder for THREE YEARS and ONE MONTH!  Time sure does fly when you're having fun!

Anyway, we're all here including our lovely Cats in the Wild!

Make Your Own Word Search

Sunday Smooch with Nicole Flockton .........

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!


Today we have a smooch from Nicole Flockton, but first ...

the winner of the last  Sunday Smooch Giveaway will be announced next week .....


And now for today's Sunday Smooch from BOund By Her Ring by Nicole Flockton........

Luciano Morelli has perfected a plan to get revenge on his runaway wife; confronting her at the opening gala for her father’s hotel. What he didn’t plan on was the flaring of emotions the moment he sees her again.

Jasmine Anderson has no memories of her husband. Her only link to him are the wedding rings she wears. Luciano storms back into her life announcing he is her husband, demanding she join him on a business trip or see her father’s livelihood crumble.

Passion reignites as they rediscover what first drew them together. But more than just memories are lost. Can their bond be rebuilt or will secrets infect their already shattered trust?

Scene set-up: [ Jasmine and Luciano have connected again at the opening of her father’s hotel. Luciano has danced her out onto the balcony to talk to her. They have been apart for a few months and he doesn’t believe she has amnesia.]

“Amnesia? How convenient.” His smug attitude riled her even more. So many people thought she was faking her memory loss. How do you forget your own husband? they’d ask. She’d had enough, she wasn’t going to let this man intimidate her.

“Oh, keep your sarcasm to yourself. I’ve had enough of your attitude. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going back to the party.” She made a move to head back into the ballroom.

Quick as lightning an arm reached out and took hold of her. “I’m not finished with this conversation.”

Jasmine attempted to pull herself out of his grasp. “Well I am, so let me go.”

“No, you’re not going anywhere.” Tightening his hold, he lowered his head towards her.

He stopped, his mouth a hairbreadth away as he whispered, “You say you’ve lost your memory? I’ll make you remember.”

She could do nothing as he closed the distance and his lips captured hers. She was expecting an onslaught instead she received a slow, tortuous journey. He sipped at her lips, encouraging her to open for him. It felt so right to give in. It felt so right to be held. It felt so right to want this man. With a moan she opened her mouth beneath his. He deepened the kiss, their tongues doing a slow dance of remembrance, learning about each other again. How he tasted. How he felt. How he made love.

Jasmine tried to grasp the fleeting thought, but like a bubble, it burst and disappeared in a flash. The memory was elusive, but enough to break the spell. She pushed hard on his chest. Her hand rose and he caught it just before it connected with his cheek.

“Not a wise move, cara mia.”

Jasmine’s anger was palpable now. “How dare you. You have no right to kiss me.”

Laughing harshly he looked down at her hand, his fingers brushing over the rings adorning it. “That’s where you’re wrong. I have every right.”

Something in his tone made her apprehensive. “Wh-What do you mean?” she stammered, her fingers tingling as he stroked the rings reverently.

“You see these rings, carissima?” He raised her hand to her eye level. “I put them there.”

Her stomach lurched and her heart pounded loudly in her mind. “No, no. It can't be.”

“Yes Jasmine, it can be. I chose them for you. I placed them on your finger. You’re mine Jasmine. Mine.”

  

Bound By Her Ring is available now from Escape Publishing.

 

I love Reunion stories – what is your favourite type of story – friends to lovers? Brother’s best friend? Reunion?

Leave a comment to go into the draw to win a eCopy of Bound By Her Ring.

 

And come back next week when the winner will be announced, and another Sunday Smooch will be posted......