How to sound like a proper Irish person

Love the accent.

The Fluff Is Raging

I’ve whined before about dreadful “Oirish” accents.

I came across a great video on Facebook, via Hairy Baby, a great Irish tee-shirt company: I sing their praises here.

source: hairy baby.
If you don’t get the joke, you need to watch ‘Father Ted’

The video does a pretty good job explaining some of the different regional accents you’ll hear in Ireland.

And there isn’t a begorrah to be heard.

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Fiona Palmer talks to Booktopia TV about her new book, The Saddler Boys!

Another favourite local writer, Fiona Palmer.

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‘Where Do Fairies Go When It Snows?’ Author and Illustrator Interview and Book Giveaway

Where do fairies go when it snows?

WRITERS' RUMPUS

Everyone knows fairies love spring flowers and summer sun, but what happens when autumn comes and the days get shorter and colder? Now, Liza Gardner Walsh, (author of Fairy House Handbook and Fairy Garden Handbook), explores the matter in a children’s picture book of rhyming questions. Combined with delightful illustrations by Hazel Mitchell (Imani’s Moon, One Word Pearl, Animally), this whimsical book helps children discover just where fairies go when it snows and offers a subtle lesson about the importance of helping one another.

Both Liza and Hazel happen to live in Maine, a state in the northern U.S. where it snows A LOT! So it’s appropriate that they got together to create a book with a winter theme. Liza is pretty much an expert on fairies and fairy houses. And Hazel is from England where fairies really do exist! Here’s what they have…

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Reserves need to step up to fight rhino poaching

Fight for Rhinos.

Fight for Rhinos

Recently as many people were mesmerized by the Blood Moon, the event indeed lived up to its name in South Africa, when at least half a dozen rhinos were slain. More casualties in the war on poaching.

The rhinos were slain in Kwazulu-Natal in a private reserve. With rhino poaching stats well over 700 now, 85 have been in the Kwazulu-Natal area alone.

Six rhino carcasses. An amazing feat. In a park the size of the state of Michigan , in alternating open and hilly terrain; to find and dehorn just one of the elusive rhinos would be difficult, perhaps with the right team two would be lucky. But six?! To have entered undetected, located the rhinos, slain them, dehorned them, AND left unscathed is obviously an organized inside job.

Rhinos in KZN. photo: unknown

Although some private reserves are doing what they can to obtain funding for anti-poaching efforts and implement strategies; others…

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A Screenwriter shares…

Andrew Bovell shares what he learned in Hollywood and a whole lot more about screenwriting.

http://www.bafta.org/film/features/andrew-bovell-delivers-his-screenwriters-lecture

 

 

@FrancesMForde  #FrancesMacForde  #AndrewBovell  #Screenwriter  #Screenwriting  #AFITalk   #BAFTA

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Writers in the Park 2015

Sounds like it was a fun day, in Sydney.

WordMothers - for women writers & women’s writing

by Nicole Melanson ~

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of attending the inaugural Writers in the Park, beautifully organized by Susanne Gervay. The festival didn’t get to make the most of its lovely location at The Residences, Centennial Park, on account of rather crummy weather, but neither the participants nor the attendees let the rain dampen their spirits.

The first event on the adult stage was Publishing: What’s on your mind? – a panel discussion with Shona Martyn from Harper Collins, Jane Curry of Ventura Press, Helen O’Dare representing Hinkler Books, and literary agent Rick Raftos, moderated by Bem Le Hunte.

Shona Martyn and Bem Le Hunte

Shona spoke to the current popularity of coloring books saying that they do a great job of drawing people into bookstores, where hopefully books with actual words will catch their eye. She is currently seeking strong…

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The Light on the Stairs

A beautiful poem by Silver Spun Sand, otherwise known as Tina, on ABC Tales.

http://www.abctales.com/story/silver-spun-sand/light-stairs#comment-652487

 

@FrancesMForde  #FrancesMacForde  #SilverSpunSand  #ABCTales  #Poem  #FavWriters  #OtherBlogs  #Love

 

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Empty cinemas no more.

What an excellent idea!

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/29640396/empty-cinemas-no-more/

 

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Raining Rhino Horn

We thank you for the wonderful work, team Rodgers.

Fight for Rhinos

We came rushing in; each person carried something pivotal to the procedure, everyone having a part to play in the de-horning of this massive, majestic rhino. She lay in the brush (as rarely do they collapse into more convenient, open areas), immobile, helpless. The sedative taking effect.

Before the vet could even start directing the all too familiar procedure, the chainsaw roared to life, immediately going to work to clear away the thorny bushes and branches around her. Time was crucial, as leaving an animal under anesthetic or in the same position for too long, could be damaging.

There is no shortage of help in keeping this rhino safe and healthy during the procedure.

Once space was made, a team of no less than 6 men rolled her into place. The chainsaw still in hand, the work began. As the horn was sawed away, a little at a time, the minutes became more surreal. What…

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Maybe That’s Why

Loved this circle of storytelling – very sweet. Nice little children’s book…

Storyshucker

Almost home after a day of errands with Mama and Daddy, my sisters and I were crammed into the back seat of the car. For a second we didn’t know what Mama meant when she spoke to Daddy in the driver’s seat.

“He’s gonna get hit.” Mama said.

We in the back seat jockeyed for position to get the best view through the windshield up front. We had to see who “he” was.

“He” was a dog.

The little blond dog trotted ahead of us right in the middle of the road. His fluffy tail, with long strands of blond hair trailing in the wind, curved up towards his back. He paid no attention when we passed but as we turned into our driveway he followed.

Daddy came to a stop in the driveway and so did the little dog. Through the window the dog and I stared at each…

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