Bo Henley
Bo is on Twitter @BoHenley
  • Home
  • The Crime Novels
  • The Whodunits
  • The Short Stories
  • About Bo
    • Industrial Heritage
    • Science Portfolio
    • Writing Portfolio >
      • Bo is reading...
  • Bo's Blog
  • Contact
  • Publications

After the break

9/4/2016

0 Comments

 
Hi!  After a bit of break, I'm back writing again.

It's been a tough year, but we all have them, don't we? The hardest part was saying "farewell" to our dear Mum, who battled cancer for her last 19 months of life, and whatever tributes are organised - they never seem enough for this great lady. She gave herself to us (her family) and to others. She will always be a great inspiration, and someone whose ideals I aspire to live up to. At peace with Our Lord, we will meet again on That Great Day. And with Dad too.

Writing: Yes, that restarted back last July, thanks to an excellent "Adelaide Pitch Conference" workshop organised and run by the South Australian Writers Centre, the New York Writers Workshop and the New York Pitch Conference. A group of about 45 of us learned so much from the publishers who came over and about half were asked to submit their manuscript for further perusal. I felt blessed to be one of those who were asked, and my Victorian-era thriller "The Isthmus" was forwarded to one of the publishers last month. Here's hoping!

But of course, I'm realistic. Being published is a tough business, and few are successful. I'll continue to improve the manuscript and will enlist the assistance of an editor to really polish it! And I won't be idle: I'm now planning the second story in (what I hope will be) the series. Yes, PLANNING! I can't write any other way. I confess, I'm rather fond of my main character, the rather pompous Dr Albert Finemore, and The Captain, the enigmatic owner of the Inn.

I've also moved back to South Australia - for work, and at the time to be with Mum in her last days and to help settle her estate. With that done, I've moved (again) up  into the Adelaide Hills - which reminds me of the beautiful Blue Mountains of New South Wales. For now, I have to be content to travel!

Lots to do. So little time. Ha ha!

To finish off, I've added the view from Mt York (NSW) towards Hartley, Blue Mountains.

Blessings
Bo

xx

Picture
0 Comments

Back Again

3/10/2014

0 Comments

 
PictureOld rail cutting, lower BM
Hi again!

It's a long weekend, and I'm stuck inside with a stinking cold so it's time to get back to writing a blog.

A lot's happened since I last wrote. I moved house a second time to the lower Blue Mountains - where I wanted to stay at the beginning! I have a long commute to work, but the weekends and the nearby bushland make up for it.

Work's been crazy busy and that's half the reason I haven't blogged. Writing is slow and it's still there - I'd just love more time to devote to it. Editing on the train works some days, other days I'd rather catch up on sleep!



PictureLilac at Mum's
The other reason is my Mum's health. She was diagnosed with stomach cancer last October and given a few weeks to live. The oncologist gave her chemo to help her eat and that's meant we've had her for longer! HOORAY!

We're not under any delusions. It's still an aggressive cancer and the moment the chemo stops, it takes off again. She's on a second round of chemo now, and down to the last 2 rounds.

And Mum: So courageous, such a battler, and she never complains about it (just like my Dad). She's like a dear little steam locomotive, still on the tracks, still chuffing along no matter where the signals take her, but the carriages are uncoupling and rolling to a halt - but the little locomotive still chuffs on. She's not in pain at present, but that will come, and it's why the writing and other things take a dive because they're really just not as important as her. I try and get over as often as I can, but it never seems enough.

For the few sane moments I do have, there's a pic of an old (train) cutting near where I live (a fun walk with the Glenbrook & District Historical Society Inc), and a photo of a lilac flower growing at Mum's place.

Have a great week!

Luv
Bo
x

0 Comments

Moving...

15/2/2014

 
Picture
Moved house this week. Still unpacking and trying to fix things, plus it's been a really rough ride to get here. Still cleaning - would've been cleaner to move to the magnificent dwelling in the picture. (She's a beauty, isn't she?)

Should be back on deck with regular posts soon in the next 2 weeks.

I took this photo and Mt Tomah on Australia Day. It was one of those days when you have to stop work and disappear into the bush or go crazy. It drizzled all morning, and remained fogged in the whole time I was there. Did I care? No. It's beautiful no matter what the weather. And there's always the excellent coffee at the cafe.

And there are the birds (feathered), of course.

Will write more soon.
Love
Bo
x

Happy New Year

31/12/2013

 
Picture
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May 2014 be filled with blessings, birds (feathered), and wonderful writing.

I'm flying back to NSW this afternoon, and it's hard saying farewell to family. I'm back at work tomorrow, back to Katoomba tomorrow night, then move down to the plains on the weekend. A hectic start!

Best wishes to you all
Bo
x


As 2013 comes to a close...

28/12/2013

 
PictureJamison Valley, Katoomba, Blue Mountains
Apologies for the long silence. The last part of 2013 was anything but serene, and to be succinct: I've changed jobs, moved interstate (to New South Wales), just secured a rental home (after 3 months) and yet to move into it, and I'm dealing with my Mum's serious illness.

Yes, life gets in the way, and writing has been gently set aside until more important events come to their natural close. I will submit an amended (part)-story for the Crime Writers Association's Debut Dagger, but January will be busy with moving and unpacking plus running 13 labs at a super-busy school in Sydney.

More later!

So it's about one more week at the beautiful Katoomba before I head down to the plains.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you a safe and Happy 2014!

Love
Bo
x

Birds - and the family tree

13/7/2013

 
Picture
Still on leave (YAY!)  so I'll start with the bird lists (not so great with the cold):

Mon: babblers, y/f h/es, wrens, pardies, t-bills (str), fantail, kookas (H), ravens, rosies, spineys (courting)

Thursday (Strathalbyn): GW family (Mr, Mrs, kid), clogs, goldfinches (feeding on grasses), thornies (?), wattlebirds, plumes, 6 idiot wagtails feeding on road and who wouldn't move (LE=next car), "shadow birds and tweets" - no idea. Saw TWO butterflies (not sure which type) - in JULY???


Friday: y/f h/es, clogs, fantails, thornies (striated), spiney (H), shrikey (H), babblers, curras, wrens, pardies (H), sulphurs, ravens, rosies, Mrs/kid GW, pies, wattlebirds.

Saturday: wrens, pardies (H), fantails (H), GW (H) and saw kid (?), t-bills, spineys (H), shrikeys (H), pies, ravens, rosies, curras (H), y/f h/es, kookas (H). Still no RBFs. SAW 16 kangas - at least 3 joeys. Wrens at 3/8 dinking over the fresh earth mound. Sooooo cute!

PictureEarly morning, MtBS
Sunday: wrens, pardies (H), babblers, y/f h/es, pies, curras, spineys (H), kookas (H), t-bills - striated and little (?), ravens, fantail (H), wattlebirds, rosies. SAW 7 kangas incl 1 joey. Walked to Nixon Street, no sign of blue-faced h/e (Well, the bakery was closed and the pub wasn't open - why should they come out?)

Writing news: Editing, editing, editing on The Isthmus.

Other: Found some interesting history on our family's genealogy. I'm gathering up what information I need before I join the (excellent) group of ancestry websites.

Website: Working offline on the bird pages.

And the rain's been beautiful.

Happy writing
Bo
x

Rain - at last! And a two week break

7/7/2013

 
PictureA pale winter sun, MtBS, before the rain
Holidays! Whoo hoo! Yes, I have two weeks break and it sure feels wonderful!

Winter has finally appeared! Rain, thunder, a bit of hail, and some sunshine have blessed our skies. So wonderful after the dry, although I'm never too keen on the cold weather.

Bird lists (not so great with the cold weather)
Saturday in fog, rain: ravens, y/f h/es, babblers, rosies, t-bills; HEARD: spiney, shrikey, fantails, pardies
Sunday in drizzle: fantail (buzzing - nest must be nearby), wrens, spiney (H), pardies (H), y/f h/es (buzzing), ravens, t-bills, rosies, babblers (H), sulphurs (H), kookas (H).

Writing news: I'm adding in a new female character to The Isthmus; special thanks to Martina for an excellent idea for a character trait.

Writers group:  The Crime Writers of South Australia met today to hear a superb lecture on forensic pathology from the amazing Dr Karen Heath. 
Wow!

Other: I'm working on tracing some of our family's genealogy, and about to start a crime classic by the great Dorothy L Sayers: The Nine Tailors. Cool.

More things to do: I'm working through a redesign of the webpages. The bird lists may go to a new page (time permitting - I need stretchable time!!).

Happy writing
Bo
x

Night Parrot found? For the birdos

3/7/2013

 
Great birding news! A Holy (birding) Grail! Has the thought-to-be-extinct Night Parrot been found? Queensland researcher, John Young has provided photos and a movie to the experts. WOW! Check it out on the ABC Online website http://bit.ly/14pY6dQ

Cold, fog, and a 90th birthday

23/6/2013

 
Picture
Summer's coming! Yes, with the winter equinox out of the way - the days are longer (by about a minute, but who cares?) And after a cold and wet week, I watched the few moments of sunshine from Mt Barker summit. Mist draped off the top of the mountain, dissipated when cloud obscured the sun, then rushed up the mountain when the sun came out - astonishingly beautiful!

Fog and rain yesterday on the mountain, strong easterly winds with wind chill near zero today. I honestly don't remember being so cold! Anyway, here's the bird records for the weekend (I was surprised I saw/heard anything!)






And a day apart makes a difference:

The Bird list:

Saturday in heavy fog and rain: wrens, ravens, y/f h/es, babblers, rosies, t-bills; HEARD: fantail, GW, spiney, shrikey


Sunday in swirling mist: fantails, wrens, spiney, pardies (H), black-capped sitellas (on the north side AGAIN!), GW (H) and the (I think) rufous whistlers, y/f h/es, ravens, shrikey (on the freeway bridge!), t-bills, rosies, wattlebirds.
PictureTo the NE, mist, 23 June
After a difficult week at work, I've written the entrance scene for a new character for The Isthmus. Not as much as I'd hoped, but any start is no longer a blank page!

And a happy list of birthdays this week (and today): Ashton, Martina, Bruce, and congratulations Stan - 90 years young!

Happy writing

Bo
x

A workshop, a bird-list, and The Summiteers

16/6/2013

 
PictureThat's a wet path - not seen in a while

The good news: RAIN and RUNNING WATER! Yes, after around 60mm of rain this week, water was running along the side of the road and some of the paths were...gasp...WET!!

Bird list for Saturday: fantails (one on the cairn), wrens, t-bills, pardies (H), y/f h/es, curras (H), ravens, rosies, clogs, kookas (H), shrikey and spineys.

I spent a "greenie" Saturday morning with "The Summiteers" - the Bush for Life mini-BAT team (BAT = Bush Action Team) that care for the Mt Barker Summit Reserve. Led by the amazing Angela, we removed sporaxsis (weeds) near the carpark to try and reduce its spread. The root bulbs went much deeper than we'd all remembered!

In the afternoon, I attended ASA's Negotiating Publishing Contracts workshop at SAWC with the wonderful Alex Adsett from Alex Adsett Publishing Services. Brilliant workshop (!!) and we learned heaps about copyright, publishing contracts, clauses, and options and tricks for negotiations. I seriously recommend these workshops to anyone who's near publishing stage or already publishing - essential information for any writer!


PictureThere's a grey fantail on that cairn
Today started with a beautiful ground mist - sensational from the summit of MtB. Took a longer walk today around the circuit and fire trails.

Bird list for Sunday: pardies, y/f h/es, t-bills (brown? striated? little?), curras (H), pies, corellas, galahs, kookas (H), ravens, clogs, wrens, GWs (male and female on separate tracks on the west side), babblers (H), rosies, spineys, shrikeys, peepers, AND I was told off by a Weebill - my first seen at MtBS!

This afternoon I worked on the amendments to The Isthmus. As the book is expanding out to full novel status, I sent my synopsis to Writer's Digest for feedback. I'm using their advice, plus the advice and ideas from a wonderful friend and colleague (thanks Martina) to add a (longer living) female character. That'll take a month or so to add in. I'm enjoying her character already!

I recommend contacting Writers Digest "2nd Draft" options for feedback on synopsis (etc). Check it out at http://www.writersdigestshop.com/2nd-draft-synopsis/?et_mid=619968&rid=3090566

Will write more soon!

Happy writing
Bo
x

<<Previous
    Picture
    At the Botanic Gardens, Adelaide, June 2012


    Author - Bo Henley

    I have two writing passions - crime fiction...and thrillers with a slight twist. Of course, if I tell you what the twists are, I'd have to kill you (see: The Crime Novels). There are rumours that I also write non-fiction with a science flavour, but I deny everything  (No, I don't. See: About Bo). And when I'm not writing, I LOVE reading (see: Bo is Reading).


    Archives

    Note: My blog from Varuna is in October 2011 folder

    April 2016
    October 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011


    Categories

    All
    Alex Adsett Publishing Services
    Arts Sa
    Asa
    Birds
    Bush For Life
    Character Development
    Chuck Sambuchino
    Conservation Hut
    Crime Fiction
    Crime Novels
    Darling Harbour
    Debut Dagger
    Farewell Sydney Monorail
    Festival Of Steam
    Golden Stairs
    Gordon Falls
    James Scott Bell
    Jamison Valley
    Katoomba
    Laratinga Wetlands
    Leura
    Leura Cascades
    Lmasa
    Lyrebird Dell
    Marele Day
    Megalong Bookshop
    Monarto
    Mount Barker
    Mount Barker Summit
    Mozilla Archive Format
    Narrowneck Peninsula
    Native Australian Birds
    Power House Museum
    Prince Henry Walk
    Pyrmont Bridge
    Shelton-Lea
    Shortcut Track
    Shuttle Stop Corner Store
    Steamranger
    Sydney Monorail
    The Bird Report
    The Hobbit
    The Summiteers
    Thrillers
    Trees For Life
    Varuna
    Waradah Aboriginal Centre
    Weeping Rock
    Whodunnit
    Whodunnits
    Writer's Digest

Proudly powered by Weebly