Lannah Sawers-Diggins is the very talented author of Red Dust Dreams, a book that gives a voice to those living in the outback, revealing what life is really like ‘in the sticks’ through interviews, articles, and Lannah’s own experiences. She took a chance to spread Red Dust Dreams throughout the world and entered into the 2017 International Book Awards, where she was a finalist in Non-Fiction: Narrative: Such a fantastic achievement, Lannah, and a testament to all your hard work.
Red Dust Dreams is also nominated for the WA Regional Achievement & Community Awards in two categories: the TAB Community Service Award and the Horizon Power, Leadership and Innovation Award. Lannah has also been asked to speak at the CWA (Country Women’s Association), at the Mt Magnet Astro Rocks Festival, and a rotary club at the Melville Glades Golf Club.
Well done, Lannah. The Aurora Team couldn’t be prouder!
I was able to write my book with sheer determination, which is common for many writers. Success requires determination.
I was in a serious car accident that left me critically injured and comatose for over four months. When I awoke I had NO memory of my life. I was dazed as anyone would be and my mind was blank. I had to learn how to be a woman again: a living, breathing, 35 year old woman who had three sons, whom I did not remember either! I did not know how to be a Mom. I had to re-learn how to do everything from the basic learning how to breathe, learning how to eat and how to breathe as I ate, everything a person learns from birth, but I was beginning of a new life. The woman I had been was gone and I had to start my life anew.
After re-learning some basic tasks like learning how to sit up, eat and brush my teeth, I was sent home with a husband whom I did not remember either, accompanied with many “how to” lists for my therapists and myself. I had very little comprehension of life. I had care givers and therapists coming daily during my early recovery, and it was pretty overwhelming. I permanently injured my right hand which was the preferred hand so I had to re-learn to write with left hand. I had to start somewhere! ~grin & wink~ Read more
Well known and popular children’s author Gigi Sedlmayer interviewed by Uvi Poznansky
Who inspired you to start writing and how did your craft develop since then?
Surviving cancer and finding myself still alive after two years of just sitting around, but still locked after my two little girls and my husband, Albert, I finally came to my senses again. Since I couldn’t work at a traditional job any longer, I couldn’t stand or sit too long, Albert, my husband, taught me how to use a computer. I started to write, since there was nothing else for me to do. In the beginning I wasn’t sure, in which language I should write. But then I decided to write in English, since my English became better and we live in an English-speaking country.
I wrote many short stories and entered them into competitions and often got very good reports back, which gave me confidence to go on writing and inspired me to go on. One of the short stories was about Talon and Matica. Judges from the competition loved the story and so I thought, I could develop a series about Talon and Matica. And so the TALON series came to life.
And my English is getting better and better and my ideas as well. My head is full with great ideas for the next books in the Talon series.
Facing Demons is a journey of enlightenment and self-discovery. It tells of one woman’s struggle against being controlled, mentally abused, how she dealt with it and how she overcame it. It is also a story of growth and enlightenment.
During her childhood years, Marion is all but ignored by her father, when all she wants are kind words and hugs. Her school years were traumatic with dyslexia, until it was diagnosed in her teens.
As she grows and matures, she find she has chosen the same type of men to partner her and each relationship ends up the same – controlling and sapping her energy and spirit. Until the last one. Read more
FutureQuest is a book about the future – a new sustainable world future. A future that everyone can take part in and help to build. We all share this planet and we can all do something towards improving our current situation. No matter how small you feel your part may be, its still important in creating the future as we want it to be – free from war, free from poverty, free from violence, suppression and abuse. It is only with YOUR help that this can be done, no part is too small, it all counts.
FutureQuest engages thinking people everywhere who want to build a sustainable, peaceful future but are overwhelmed by the immensity of the task. Since everything we individually and collectively do today has an effect on the quality of our future, and presents a generic approach free of political, religious and ideological influences.
FutureQuest is split into eight chapters, and containing sixty-one sub-chapters.
Chapter One provides orientation on scope and methodology to build confidence that a great world future is indeed achievable. My opening paragraphs paint an image of the future we could have, and set that as our goal.
Chapter Two examines Man – the individual. We look at our motivation and influences and how we can optimise our own actions to facilitate our goal. Essentially, all groups and organisations comprise individuals, some of whom will read this book and become inspired and empowered to do their part in building a better future, in turn motivating their respective organisations.
Chapter Three deals with group structures and how mankind functions within its diverse groups. In particular we examine ways to mitigate friction between groups, including the use of information-age technology.
Chapter Four takes a critical look at government systems and their effect on our future. We focus on those government structures and attitudes detrimental to survival, and how we can adjust them.
Chapter Five simulates a typical process of starting and running a business, particularly along a path of maximising profits. We consider how the power of shareholders and decision-makers influence our future. Problem areas of globalisation are examined and prototype solutions proposed.
Chapter Six discusses our key institutions and organisations, and how human fears tend to veer them into destructive directions. We propose ways of keeping them on course.
Chaper Seven looks at trans-governmental matters, including the United Nations Organisation. We examine the ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ script, sustainability and the real possibility of mankind’s extinction. We then see how we can change the script.
Chapter Eight looks at how all these civilisation structures and systems work together in shaping humanity. Here we take stock of where we are now and where we want to go. The last chapter summarises the steps we must take to build our awesome future.
A thoroughly-researched bibliography of 323 ISO 690 Numerical Reference citations concludes the book. My FutureQuest website replicates the bibliography with active hyperlinks to most citation sources, to encourage reader participation.
FutureQuest is a book about YOUR future. Be in it!
Ronelle Smith is author of ENCOUNTER, the first book in a series of five about 13-year-old Jonathon Newman-Smith, who is gifted with unusual talents.
After reading the book, and being totally enthralled by the adventure, I decided to find out more as to what initiated the story.
I will let her tell you, in her own words, why and how she came to write this excellent story. It is aimed at young adults, teenagers who may be ablehttp://auroranaturally.com.au/ to connect with her words and see themselves in Jonathon, although it is compelling reading for any age group and she hopes many people will benefit from the positive messages contained throughout the book.
What drove you to write “Encounter”?
In today’s changing world, society is not as it used to be when family units were strong and family values were held dear. Because of this, many of our youth are floundering in a society of double standards, where two-parent role models are almost a thing of the past and future stability in the home is not guaranteed. The consequent lack of security takes its toll on their self-confidence and often their innate gifts and talents fall victim and fail to develop. In some cases this can lead to a deep sense of loss and even depression. The emerging young adult may feel lonely and isolated with no true understanding of their place in the world or their purpose in life.
From my 40 years of teaching high school students I have come to recognize the causes of self-destructive behaviour as expressed by individual teenagers. In some instances unsettled home situations frequently trigger anti-social activities and resentment for any form of authority. With an unwillingness to comply with rules and regulations and general lack of cooperation the teenagers find themselves in greater difficulty with an accompanying defeatist attitude. From my interviews with these specific young people I have learnt two things of paramount importance. Firstly, they feel desperately lonely and yearn for support of some kind, and secondly they hunger for help to achieve their goals. Yes! THEY DO HAVE GOALS. In spite of what the media would have us believe about our wayward teens. They have dreams of achievement, some so secret, they have difficulty expressing them to a listening adult.
“Encounter” is written to gently encourage young people to believe in themselves and reach for their goals no matter what their circumstances. Life presents lessons from which we are to learn and grow. How much we learn or, for that matter, completely ignore, is entirely up to the individual choices made along the way.
We are all capable of far more than we ever realise!
How long did it take you to write the book and was much research involved?
Encounter took me about six months to write, with research starting well before I took pen to paper, so to speak. Because of certain aspects of the book, I had to ensure my facts were correct, so many hours were spent on research. Believe it or not, one of the villains in the work is an incredibly small, but potentially dangerous plant. I had to check my facts very carefully regarding this tiny algae. Local geography also had to be well researched as some of the action occurs in our ruggedly beautiful Snowy Mountains. An understanding of the topography of Turkey was also necessary as several characters fulfill their mission in that country.
What is “Encounter” about?
The book reveals the amazing story of 13 year-old Jonathan Newman-Smith, a lonely boy who has spent most of his life in boarding school due to his father’s numerous absences overseas. On his 13th birthday, Jonathon, a typical ‘Tall Poppy’ who is bullied at school, has a paranormal experience which changes his life. He discovers he has been ‘gifted’ with several amazing abilities. His encounter with a collective of spiritual beings known as TRYSTARON leaves him with a choice of pursuing his destiny of becoming a world peace-maker or continuing his life as normal. Choosing the former, he battles to understand this phenomenon and come to terms with his new abilities, sometimes resulting in a humorous scenario. While this is happening, his father and stepmother, both secret service agents from a select division of ASIO, become involved in a terrorist plot that could have a devastating effect on a major Australian city. Jonathon is kidnapped by the perpetrators and threatened with death. He manages to escape and the adventure draws him more deeply into his parents’ world of espionage.
As a world traveller, I chose the settings carefully. For intrigue and suspense, Istanbul in Turkey was perfect with its colourful society and romantic history. This charismatic city adds vigour to the story, while to give “Encounter” the Australian flavour, I chose a small town on the South Coast of New South Wales for Jonathon’s home, with Canberra, the nation’s capital, and Kosciusko National Park for home-grown action.
Encounter creates an atmosphere of possibilities. Incredible scenarios become absolutely believable as the story evolves. It is a fast-paced, exciting novel that will appeal not just to young adults, but also a much wider readership.
What benefit can the reader expect out of the book?
There are several messages hidden within the chapters of the book for those who are ready to discover them. It can help those who need extra support to build, or re-build their confidence. It can develop awareness that ‘Life’ is the teacher presenting challenging lessons from which we gain knowledge, learn and mature. No one escapes these lessons as difficult as they may be. In due course we realize we are never alone and can call for assistance from our spiritual guides whenever we need it.
This book is written with ‘tomorrow’s’ generation in mind, showing clearly that life is an adventure and it can, with a little help, be bountiful, beautiful and full of promise. “Encounter” is a melting pot of action adventure, intrigue, love and mystery. The reader can expect all of this, and more.
Are you planning more books?
Yes. Encounter is the first book in a series of five. Book two is written and ready to be published, which will be happening very soon. Each book is a stage in Jonathon’s life as he grows, matures, and explores his gifts and abilities and learns how best to use them.
Where will you go from here?
At the moment, I am still working on the series but I intend for the books to reach all levels of readership, in schools, bookstores and libraries. In this way, it will help the future generation to know they are not alone, encourage them to become the best they can be and realise that it’s up to each and every one of us to do our part to create a peaceful world.
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We will be hearing more from Ronelle as her books find their way to the people who desire to read them. Encounter is available in printed form and will soon be available as an eBook, extending the range of reach and readership.
Read the first chapter of Ronelle’s book on Aurora House website. Be curious!
Lannah Sawers-Diggins is the very talented author of Red Dust Dreams, a book that gives a voice to those living in the outback, revealing what life is really like ‘in the sticks’ through interviews, articles, and Lannah’s own experiences. She took a chance to spread Red Dust Dreams throughout the world and entered into the 2017 International Book Awards, where she was a finalist in Non-Fiction: Narrative: Such a fantastic achievement, Lannah, and a testament to all your hard work.
FutureQuest is a book about the future – a new sustainable world future. A future that everyone can take part in and help to build. We all share this planet and we can all do something towards improving our current situation. No matter how small you feel your part may be, its still important in creating the future as we want it to be – free from war, free from poverty, free from violence, suppression and abuse. It is only with YOUR help that this can be done, no part is too small, it all counts.
to his father’s numerous absences overseas. On his 13th birthday, Jonathon, a typical ‘Tall Poppy’ who is bullied at school, has a paranormal experience which changes his life. He discovers he has been ‘gifted’ with several amazing abilities. His encounter with a collective of spiritual beings known as TRYSTARON leaves him with a choice of pursuing his destiny of becoming a world peace-maker or continuing his life as normal. Choosing the former, he battles to understand this phenomenon and come to terms with his new abilities, sometimes resulting in a humorous scenario. While this is happening, his father and stepmother, both secret service agents from a select division of ASIO, become involved in a terrorist plot that could have a devastating effect on a major Australian city. Jonathon is kidnapped by the perpetrators and threatened with death. He manages to escape and the adventure draws him more deeply into his parents’ world of espionage.