An acceptance landed today - from Overland Magazine.

And there was much rejoicing.

A treasure trove arrived at the Post Office in a great big Australia Post sack! Books and magz and all things wonderful from Kelly and Gavin in the US. They said they would send a sampling of the US spec market when they got back - such an abundance!

I have bought full cream milk to assist in scone making.

"Plain scones are delicious and very simple to make, but it is equally easy to throw in a handful of extra ingredients."

The great scone-off

L and I are engaged in a scone-off.

How did this come about? Well last week, hunting through my recipe book, I came across onion and parmesan scones. "How cool!" thought I and proceeded to cook.

When L turned up I plied him with said scones (very excited at my creativity).

"What do you think of them?" I asked.

"They aren't as good as the ones my grandmother used to make," says he.

So, being more than a little competitive, I have taken up the challenge. I will best said dead grandmother if it kills me. Actually it's more likely to kill L first. Death by scone.

So last night I bake up a fresh batch of scone (basic recipe - none of this modern onion and cheese bit) and drive over to L's place. I add home made jam (not by me) and cream (from a can). I put in front of L. I watch.

His face tells it all. Yet again bestest by the dearly deceased. Ha there are more scone recipes out there. L will give in before I do! Scone for life.

There's a great big cargo ship called 'Pasha Bulka' stuck on the beach at Newcastle. It got blown in on the last big storm and has become an overnight sensation. People drive from the country to take a look at this boat parked on a beach.

I just like the name. In high school, when you went to a party and kissed someone it was called a pash. The Pasha Bulka - my kind of boat.

It was chewing too much of my life I tell you. It just has to go! University that is. Having made the decision I feel I find myself much more in a mood for writing again...

Took my YA novel MS to the 'Writing for Children and Young Adults' Festival yesterday and had a one-on-one session with Mark McLeod. He gently but firmly pointed me at some flaws (like there wasn't enough tension early enough, I needed to show the contrasts between the novel's world and the real world more clearly. Good thing I have time off booked for August - I'm going to be busy.

Also bumped into the lovely Margo Lanagan - who talked about what it was to be considered 'edgy' in the world of YA fiction. Sex, drugs and not spelling everything out for the reader if you were wondering. Edgy might mean you're literary - but will usually mean you are not as well paid as say.... J.K. Rowlings.