I’d like to introduce multi award winner and one of our own Australian Authors, Bronwyn Parry who writes some of the very best Romantic Suspense I have ever had the privilege to read.
Three words to describe me: I asked my DH – he said dreamy, daggy, cuddly J
At home I cook: Sourdough bread, chocolate muffins, chocolate fudge. I’d add ‘nice healthy salads’ but I’d have to add ‘sometimes.’
My worst habit is: Procrastination. I am a champion.
It’s a bit daggy but I love: Elsie J Oxenham’s Abbey Girls books (published 1919-1960ish)
My first job was: YMCA Vacation Care assistant
My day job is: Occasional University teaching in media and communications – I’m currently teaching a unit on Science Fiction cinema, so re-watching Terminator, Blade Runner, Alien, and Serenity is legitimate work!
Saving for: A new laptop. Please. Soon. This one is almost 5 years old and I’ve worn out half the keys!
I procrastinate by: Walking the dogs. Eating. Baking. (Cleaning the bathroom is way down the list.)
Three things people might not know about me are:
- I was an extra in the film My Brilliant Career – the beginning and end of my film acting career.
- I wrote my Honours thesis on 18th century British worsted textiles. I actually know what type of fabric calamanco is and how it is made… not that it comes up in conversation very often!
- My great-great-great grandfather was a bushranger – a wild lad, with a heart of gold. He might just become a romance hero one day….
My secret skill that is no longer a secret: I can spin fine yarn on a drop spindle.
Favourite author: Just one? Ursula Le Guin, for her imagination, her craft, her world-building.
Current reading: Karly Lane’s North Star.
Plotter or panster: Um… organic? I start with the a character and a crime, and it kind of grows from there. Usually.
I would most like to meet: Nora Roberts. Although I’d probably gape and stammer and make a total fool of myself.
If I was stranded I would take: Chocolate.
Why I write: Because the voices in my head tell me to.
Thank you Bronwyn for joining us today and sharing a small bite of your life with us.
To find out more on Bronwyn Parry and her books pop on over to her web.
RWA members can take a bite. Contact Kerri Williams to schedule your Blog Bite feature
Romance Writers of Australia 
Kerri Williams
/ September 23, 2011Good morning, so sorry the post wasn’t up early this morning. I had some tech difficulties, ie: me.
Bron, I am defiitly standingalong side of you on that podium of champions- procrastinating is a scary time eater, that and the web.
Now as for chocolate, well it’s my best friend and my worst enemy. lol.
Kerri
Karly Lane Author
/ September 23, 2011lovely interview..has anyone ever had one of those moments when one of their favourite authors is actually reading one of your books???? well I’m having one of those moments right now!!!!!!
Kerri Williams
/ September 23, 2011That’s because it’s a good book Karly. Xxx
Cathryn Hein
/ September 23, 2011Bron, I can’t believe you make your own sourdough! I’ve given up. It’s just too painful.
Funny how bathroom cleaning is always waaaaay down the procrastination list.
Bron Parry
/ September 23, 2011Kerri, thanks for the opportunity for a blog bite and for the lovely introduction! Sorry I took a little while to get in here this morning – we had cousins visiting overnight unexpectedly, and a a lovely long breakfast catching up.
I’m trying to be more disciplined and less of a champion procrastinator; Nora Roberts is one of my heroes for her incredible focus, as are Keri Arthur and Stephanie Laurens. I’ve never been exceedingly self-disciplined, but I figure it’s never too late to improve, right?
Bron Parry
/ September 23, 2011Karly, I’ve been looking forward to reading North Star since I bought it. It’s still sitting there, my next book to read, but revisions on the book I just finished came in quickly so I haven’t given myself reading time just yet. Maybe this weekend – ‘cos I know it will be a total pleasure to read 🙂
Cathryn, I started the sourdough in January when I was recuperating from my surgery. It’s great fun, and I haven’t found it too hard – although I confess I cheat and use the bread machine for the kneading now. The early loaves that I hand-kneaded didn’t work as well. I’m about to put on another batch of dough for fruit loaf, since my visiting cousins and I had fruit toast for breakfast and almost emptied the freezer of it 🙂
(I love working from home and being able to bake bread during the day – one of the joys of the writing life!)
Natalie Moress
/ September 23, 2011What a nice interview. I love the way your DH described you….he makes you sound like the kind of heroine I’d like to read about!
Bron Parry
/ September 23, 2011Thank you, Natalie! I have to confess that my DH originally said ‘vague’, but we discussed the best way to translate that from male-Aspergers-speak into writer-speak 🙂
Lovely of you to say it sounds like a heroine; I wouldn’t make a good heroine in one of my own books – they’re all much fitter (not to mention younger!) than me but maybe one day there’ll be a dreamy, head-in-the-clouds writer heroine 🙂
Helene Young
/ September 23, 2011Lovely interview, Bron, and I’m hanging out to read your next book!! Wonderful news that the edits are underway – yay!!
Maryde
/ September 23, 2011I love the interesting things you learn about people 🙂
I mean who Knew we had a real live ACTRESS in our midsts. lol…. who cares how little,short or long ago the role was.. acting is acting in my book.
As for the procrastination.. I think we would all be guilty with that one at some time and cleaning the bathroom is definately down on my *to do* list as well, along with the vaccumning, dusting,cleaning windows… lol (have I forgotten anything?)
Great to get to know you better Bronwyn.
Bron Parry
/ September 23, 2011LOL Maryde – the reason my film career was so short-lived may be because my acting talent is minimal 🙂 Plus I was an extra with no speaking lines in the woolshed dance scene – I can catch a glimpse of myself on the screen but only because I know where to look! But it was an interesting experience, and I can truthfully say that I have worked with Gillian Armstrong, Sam Neill and Judy Davis!
(I can also truthfully say that I’ve been escorted out of Innamincka by the police, but that’s a whole ‘nother story…!)
jennjmcleod
/ September 23, 2011May the laptop fairy visit real soon 🙂 When she does, boot her down to Bonville please !
Bron Parry
/ September 23, 2011Thanks Jenn, for the laptop fairy wishes! When I finally see her, I’ll give her directions to your place…. but if you see her first, you can do the same!
Bron Parry
/ September 23, 2011Helene, I’m hanging out to read your next one, too!
Louise Reynolds
/ September 23, 2011HI Bron,
Great to read your blog. Now you HAVE to tell us about getting escorted out of Innamincka by the police….
Helen Lacey
/ September 23, 2011Fabulous interview Bron. I love the way your husband described you. Next time I watch My Brilliant Career I’m going to look out for you!
Great blog 🙂
Juanita Kees
/ September 23, 2011Hi Bronwyn 😀
Loved your answers. I’m a hopeless bathroom cleaning fairy too. I’d much rather read, they’re only going to untidy the bathroom again anyway 😀
Thanks for sharing. It was lovely learning more about you.
Bron Parry
/ September 23, 2011Hi Juanita! I figure life’s too short to stress about sparkly bathrooms 🙂 I do run a damp cloth over things now and then, so it’s not feral, but one of the great advantages of living in a dry mountain air is we don’t breed much in the way of mold. We won’t mention the dust, however 🙂
Bron Parry
/ September 23, 2011Hi Helen! I’m pretty hard to find in the film, and it was made a loonnng time ago, I was only 15 or so at the time. As Judy Davis/Sybilla approaches the woolshed dance, there’s a small group of people outside around a spit. I’m one of them. A little later, there’s a scene with a dance with hand clapping in it, and if there are out of focus hands in front of her and her partner, they’re mine. I’m also in one of the carts driving off into the sunrise after the dance… although that was actually filmed at sunset. Someone told me to get into a cart so I did, and the guy – a total stranger to me – driving the cart headed off across the paddocks. LOL – I had no clue where we were going, what we were doing, but the guy was pleasant enough and seemed quite at home handling the horses, and made no advances…. although he was kinda cute 🙂
Anyway, that’s my 3 milliseconds of film fame!
Anna Jacobs
/ September 26, 2011Any woman who writes excellent stories and doesn’t like cleaning bathrooms, is a woman after my own heart.
The sourdough bread sounds gorgeous, but wheat doesn’t like me. I wish you could make that sort of thing with rice and potato flours. Instead you get concrete bread.
Looking forward to your next book and so is my husband, who also enjoys your stories.
lisa Heidke
/ October 4, 2011Sorry I am late to the party but I love this post, Bron…I love the bit about the voices in your head (creepy but true), your acting career and the fact that you MAKE sourdough!!! Also, love your work!
Lisa xxx