A Novice To Watch: Meet Bronwyn Stuart!!!

G'Day and Good Monday!!

If you're still recovering from a wild weekend, I've got just the thing to keep your spirits floating high!! Please meet our latest NOVICE TO WATCH, Bronwyn Stuart!!

I 'met' Bronwyn when she and I both entered the New Beginnings Contest. I took a gander at the first five lines this lovely lass from the Land Down Under entered and instantly knew she was an aspiring writer I needed to meet. Talk about a flare for writing! I was dazzled by her voice and talent and I know you will be, too!!

She's a fair dinkum novice writer you'll most definitely want to get to know, so let's get to it!!


1) If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

Bronwyn Stuart is a twenty something Australian woman with a dream of being an award winning author. The only elements standing in her way are washing, ironing, working to pay the mortgage, two bratty pre-school kids and the rest that goes with living and loving. On the back of a contest final and with submissions out in the big, wide, scary world of publishing, will someone, somewhere love what she writes?

Only time and talent will tell...


2) Using three words, describe your voice.

Fun, flirty, edgy (isn't that what everyone says =)


3) What genre do you write and why?

Historical - because it's my first love. I started 'borrowing' my mum's book at around 13. Johanna Lindsay and Stephanie Laurens were my idols for years! I like that you can twist the world just a little and inject oppressed women with fire and wit. There is also something about the moment a hero takes a woman for the first time that you don't get with contemporary twenty somethings. I also write Blaze because I can let my own voice shine through louder and prouder and sassier. Chick lit is something I'm trying my hand at as well because I had an idea and wanted to run with it but it didn't fit any of the guidelines of straight romantic fiction.


4) Give us the "deets" on your WIP(s)!!

I have two historicals on the go, one is kind of regency meets western at 48k. The other is about 20k in and is another Regency but not the kind of sweet aristocratic fluffy type. It's dark, edgy and gritty. Just the way I like em! The chick lit is at 40k and the contemp Blaze with a partial under consideration is at 22k. Can you tell I like to dabble in lots of different genres? It depends on how I feel on the day to what I want to write. My books don't really get titles until they're finished but the Blaze is going to be called Sex Therapy. It's about a Sex Therapist who is asked to write a chapter in a how to book. Problem is she doesn't know the first thing about having adventurous sex. So she asks a fellow therapist to 'help' her out and show her what it's like to ride on the wild side!


5) With all the contests you've entered, which ones are your favorite and why? When it comes to the judging sheets, how much influence do you allow the comments/advice to have on your writing/manuscript?

I have to say Chicago North's Fire and Ice is my favourite to date since it's the only ST contest I've finaled in. The one I am absolutely bent on taking out is the Golden Claddagh. It was my first comp where I was as raw as raw can be but still got the most encouraging comments and advice. Other than those two, at the top of the list is Romance Writer's of Australia's Little Gems Anthology. I have a short story being published in August as a result of finaling in that one. As to influence... I take some things on board but leave others where they are. It depends on who is telling me what and how it rings for me. I once had an entry judged by a dragon of an unpublished person who didn't read or write in the genre so her advice went in to the trash where it belonged. Nothing she had to say was in any way constructive which was really sad. But then on the other hand, I've had some great comments and some great critical eyes that picked up little things I missed. If I read the comment and think 'yeah, why didn't I think of that', then I'll look at what I can do to fix it. What we have to remember is that not everyone will love your story or your voice but they have volunteered to add their two cents.At the end of the day that's all it is. Their two cents. I'm all about don't stress about something that can't be changed. If I get a bad score, I dwell for a day or two, have a rant and then get on with it.

Here's a link to the Romance Writer's of Australia, who have been such an enormous help for me. www.romanceaustralia.com

6) What has been some of the best advice you've ever received?

Finish the damn book! If you never finish it, no one will ever read it! Oh, and never give up. No matter the competition results or feedback or discouragement, never give up. If it's your passion, keep at it!


7) What are your aspirations for the future?

To be published in print. I want to see my name on the cover of a book in Angus and Robertson or Borders. I also want to see my children take an interest in reading and writing and reaching their goals by seeing me nail mine.


I think you've got some pretty sweet goals, Bronwyn, and I've got all my fingers and toes crossed for you! I know we'll be seeing your name in print real soon and I'll get to have you back at TLN as a Debut Author To Watch!! ((hugs!))

If you'd like to know more about the super-fantastic Bronwyn Stuart, click on over to her website: http://www.bronwynstuart.com Be sure to check out her Picture Gallery for pics of the Romancing The Novel event. All I can say, "I WANT TO GO!!" It looked like a blast!

THANK YOU, TLN'ers!! I hope you've fallen head over heels for my new mate, Bronwyn, too! One of my favorite shows is the Australian Series McLeod's Daughters. I was so thrilled to find a video for my two fav characters, Tess and Nick, timed to the gorgeous voice of Aussie singer, DELTA GOODREM's LOST WITHOUT YOU!

Anyone shouting for Tim-Tams?? I've sure got a hankering for some, but no worries, we've got something just as sweet coming up on Friday, the delicious Anna Campbell!! Stay tuned, mates, and here's hoping your Moanday rocks!!