Flying high Friday

There's been a lot of talk about dreams this week, which has been so uplifting and inspiring all round. First there's my own - my dream of becoming a published author. As I said last Friday, I've been in a major writing zone lately, and the results have been fantastic. I'm churning out chapters like nobody's business and it feels great. I was interviewed about my life and my work over at Clancy Tucker's blog this week, who referred to me as an "emerging author" which was a bit of a thrill. I've also decided to start writing a few short stories and articles and submit them to magazines so I can get my work "out there" and I've been looking at a few things I can do to get my work seen by the right people (but I won't tell you what those are yet, don't want to jinx it). I feel like I'm getting closer to my dream every day. The more Twitter followers, blog followers, blog views and comments I get and the more chapters I churn out, the more confident I become that, as hard as it is to get published in New Zealand, where there's a very low demand for local fiction, I will get there with hard work and continued support from the people around me.
Then there's my handsome, intelligent, talented partner Joshua, who is at the end of a four-year slog at uni and currently has opportunities for when he graduates coming out of his ears. I won't say too much, don't want to embarrass the poor boy, but I will say this. I'm so freakin' proud!
And finally, there's my friend Michelle Phillips, who I don't see much, but who is a friend from school and a fabulous, beautiful person. She's the kind of person I admire because when she wants to do something, she does it, and she's now doing what she always dreamed of doing all the way back in school. She married a fabulous guy in March and together they've made their dream of starting a photography business a reality and launched their website for Patina Photography yesterday. Go and check it out, their photography is stunning!

So no need to list the things making me happy this week. Following my dreams and seeing others follow theirs is enough for me. ♥ 

Have a lovely weekend people!  I'm so excited, daylight savings starts on Sunday here in NZ! Summer here we come!!

A little bit of Missing Since Tuesday

It's been awhile since I revealed any Missing Since Tuesday excerpts, so, I thought, in light of being called an "emerging author" over at Clancy Tucker's blog, I would post a little something. I've been writing like a crazy person lately, it's been fabulous! So let me know what you think :) Constructive criticism welcomed :)

The twilight hours in the Brandon home were usually Thomas’ favourite time of day. His six children and his wife were tucked away safe in bed and he enjoyed the company of a slow burning pipe, watching the smoke swirl peacefully towards the ceiling while the radio murmured quietly beside him.


But this night was one he would remember for the rest of his days. As he sat frozen, as if glued to his chair, the smoke burned his eyes and the rumble of the radio pounded in his ears.

Deputy Prime Minister Peter Fraser’s words rang in his head, and he replayed them over and over, hoping there was something he had missed, or that the words had not been said at all.

“This is not an occasion for many words; it is a dark day in the history of the world... It is with deep regret and sadness that I make this announcement on behalf of the government, and the people will receive it with similar feelings. That will not, however, affect the determination of both government and people to play their part.”

The words were vague, and Thomas knew there would be more in the coming days, but they had been said, and he knew that New Zealand would inevitably be at war again soon. He thought of Arthur in the next room, sleeping soundly, unaware of what would be required of him in the coming months, possibly years, and he felt the unrelenting hand of war squeeze his heart tight.

War had been a natural part of most people’s lives since the Great War began in 1914, and as Thomas stared blankly ahead, he did not see the breadth of the battered dining table, the well-used chairs, the modest bookcase. Instead, the homely objects were replaced by a stretch of land, barren save endless lines of barbed wire, and the smoke turned to the dust, kicked up by his comrades who ran in front of him and fell like flies. Cannon shells ripped the ground to shreds and bullets popped sporadically, ripping through bodies, peppering the dust with blood. Thomas’ hand went automatically to the scar on his shoulder, where a bullet had passed through him just under the collarbone, ripping through muscle and searing flesh.

He rubbed his thumb over the lumpy scar tissue and thought of his eldest son; his fit, healthy, young son who would soon be sent to his own battle field.

I'm famous!

Haha not really... not yet... but, I've paid a visit to Clancy Tucker's blog and answered a few questions about myself. I'm quite excited, escpecially at the fact that he's called me an "emerging author"... eek!

So if you want to know a little bit more about me, like my writing journey so far, the adventures I had before even considering writing as a career, and my skinny dipping on a deserted island fantasy, head over and check it out! I've also mentioned you lovely people :) Thanks Clancy for giving me this opportunity, much appreciated.

To all you other bloggers out there reading this, let it be known that I am available for interviews and guest blogging, so just leave me a comment or send me an email at sarahrhardie[at]gmail.com if you want me!

http://clancytucker.blog.com/2012/09/27/27-september-2012-sarah-hardie-guest-author/