40 for 40 - Melanie Milburne

Today's guest is the prolific and glamorous (well- look at that photo!) Melanie Milburne.  I have known Melanie for some years but only met her infrequently when we're lucky enough to connect at Romance Writers of Australia or  R W America conferences.  I envy her the fact that she lives on the beautiful island of Tasmania where my eldest  sister lives. The Babe Magnet and I were lucky enough to visit once - we'd love to go back.

Here's Melanie:

Congratulations Kate and Steve on your fortieth wedding anniversary! What a wonderful celebration of two people who have lived and loved together for so long. Where on earth does the time go?

I met my husband via my big brother. We’d first met when I was seventeen but it wasn’t until we were at a conference when I was twenty-two that I actually spoke to him. I used to think he was so shy and reserved and boring! Little did I know that behind that cool reserve was a razor sharp intellect and a killer sense of humour. One quick-witted comment from him and my heart was won! I knew on our second date he was the man I was going to marry. I still can’t explain it. It was the most amazing lightning bolt of realisation -this is THE ONE. Luckily he felt the same way! We got engaged within six weeks and were married on the 3^rd of July. It was a freezing winter’s day in Sydney, only 16 degrees Celsius, but I didn’t notice the cold even though I was wearing French lace. I wore my mother’s wedding gown and we were married in the same church my parents had been married in thirty odd years before.

We had a lovely traditional ceremony and then our reception was at our very dear friends’ lovely home on five acres. We had a marquee set up around the gorgeous gardens and the swimming pool where flowers and candles floated. It had occurred to us that there was a danger someone might fall into the pool after one too many champagnes but thankfully no one did. However, one of our elderly guests –a lovely old fellow who was known for his bumbling - fell in the fountain at the front of the house as we were leaving for our honeymoon!

 

I have my own celebration this year. My 50^th book is out in September. Never Say No To a Caffarelli is Book One of my Caffarelli trilogy.

 I have a signed copy of it as a giveaway to the best answer to this question:
 what is the thing you would do differently if you were to have your wedding day all over again, or, if you’re not married, what is the one thing you would absolutely insist on having at your wedding?

Best wishes,

Melanie Milburne 

www.melaniemilburne.com.au

http://www.facebook.com/melanie.milburne

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melanie-Milburne/351594482609?fref=ts

Twitter- MelanieMilburn1


PS From  Kate - I hope you all noted the date Melanie was married  - that's why her post was scheduled for today.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY  Melanie  to you and your husband - and thanks for sharing your special day with us.

Tote Bag of Books Presents Special - Melanie Milburne

Today's special guest and contributor to the Tote Bag of Books is Australian author for the Presents line - Melanie Milburne


There is nothing like a party! And what better thing to celebrate than Presents. I am almost embarrassed to admit how long I’ve been reading Presents novels. It seems a long time ago that I picked up my first one and so much has happened since. And of course the progression from reader to author is even more cause for celebration.

I have often wondered why so many romance readers aspire to be writers. Is there something about the genre that attracts potential writers, or do we as the result of years of reading romance ache to write our own?
I came to the genre as a young aspiring writer so I guess it seemed a natural thing to follow my dream via romance. I loved reading it and I knew I wanted to write it but other things seemed to get in the way. I wrote poetry and academic stuff for years however, before I wrote my first Harlequin manuscript. But once I started that first romance I felt compelled to continue. It was like an addiction. I could read as much romance as I liked as I was now writing it.

I know some people target romance as they think it’s somehow easier to get published, but you only have to ask those who have been trying for years on end to realise that is not the case. It takes great skill to write a heart-warming, emotionally gripping romance. And of course as a Harlequin Mills and Boon author you don’t just have to write one, you have to write many!

I think most people have a story in them. Storytelling after all is a part of human existence. We tell stories around the dinner table, over the water fountain at work, or the television does it for us, or the computer or books or magazines. Stories are everywhere- all it takes is memory, fact and imagination to get them on paper, or so Robert McKee says.
I love my life as a Harlequin author. Each day is a surprise as my characters reveal more of themselves to me and take me on their journey to happy ever after.
Happy reading ( and writing!) Melanie


Melanie's Treasure hunt question: What was the title of Melanie's first Presents novel?

The answer can be found on Melanie's web site here, together with all the news of her upcoming books, including the book she is giving away - the Mistresses By Blackmail trilogy and her August Presents release The Marcolini Marriage Blackmail

Don't forget - don't answer the questions here, collect up your answers and send them in at the end of the month by email with Tote Bag Presents Special in the subject line.