A Taste of Life and Love in Australia by Margaret Lynette Sharp
Published by: Self-published
Genre: Short Stories, Australian
Source: Library
Pages: 368
This is a highly readable volume of Short Stories, set in modern Australia. Most tales are romantic.
The book kicks off with 'The Girl Next Door', an engaging tale of a young man's affection for his neighbour, which sadly goes amiss just as he summons the courage to ask her out.
Other favourites include 'A Song for Ellie': a young man's struggle to be noticed by a singer; and 'The Blossoming': a young woman emerging into life and love. Like all Margaret Lynette Sharp's books, this is edited by her husband Ronald Sharp B.E.M., the creator of the Grand Organ in the Sydney Opera House concert hall.
Other favourites include 'A Song for Ellie': a young man's struggle to be noticed by a singer; and 'The Blossoming': a young woman emerging into life and love. Like all Margaret Lynette Sharp's books, this is edited by her husband Ronald Sharp B.E.M., the creator of the Grand Organ in the Sydney Opera House concert hall.
It's been so refreshing to visit the library again and stumble across some unexpected finds - I came across 'Tales of Life and Love in Australia' while on the lookout for some local authors. The short stories within it are wonderfully told and perfect for small snippets into the character's lives. I soon discovered that Margaret has written quite a few collections so will be checking them out soon!
Author Interview with Margaret Lynette Sharp
Author Interview with Margaret Lynette Sharp
Part of the emotional reward I derive from writing fiction is the validation of garnering positive reviews from independent sources – which makes me feel as though I've brought a bit of pleasure to an audience – but probably the more important element is my own personal pleasure in reading the stories sometime later.
The most challenging aspect? There are several. Simply
getting the first sentence on paper can be quite daunting. Waiting to see what
others make of each book can also be stressful – especially when critics make
unkind, and at times untruthful, observations.
My writing style is determined by the type of writing I’m
attempting. My Australian romances are written in a fairly informal style,
quite unlike my Jane Austen Fan Fiction tales, which are written to replicate
Jane Austen’s voice as a revered Regency writer.
I’ve always liked writing short stories – especially
romantic ones – and so it was an easy decision. In common with the other titles
in this series, “A Taste of Life and Love in Australia” is written in the style
of narrative (and thought) that comes most naturally to me. My own
"stylistic register," I suppose you'd call it. A few of the
stories are loosely based on actual events in my own life.
I’m a keen swimmer, especially in salt water in the
summertime. My other favourite pursuit is playing the piano, to which I
recently returned after a decade’s absence. Other matters had occupied my
attention (and our Steinway had been in storage), but I've so enjoyed my return
to the keyboard, that I now wish I’d never stopped playing… Several of my
books – and the "Elizabeth Simmons" series, in particular – have
featured young female protagonists who were avid pianists and piano teachers
(alter egos, I suppose, though much more proficient than I).
First, cultivate patience. It’s the lucky few who are
overnight successes after a mere ten years…
Second, develop a thick skin. Remember, reviewers review
themselves, and as they say (if they happen to be ancient Romans), "de
gustibus non disputandum."
Third, never write purely in the pursuit of money. How can
you be true to yourself when you’re simply striving to attract and secure a
paying audience? And if you really want to generate income, there are certainly
more reliable ways of doing it.
I’ve always enjoyed the classics, and as a teenager and
young woman, I devoured them in rapid succession. I also like stories such as
those written by James Herriot.
Could you give us an insight into your latest release, and a sneak peek into what you're writing next?
My latest release is a Jane Austen Fan Fiction vignette, “A
Ball at Longbourn,” which sheds light on the character of the Bennet girls, and
especially Lydia. Further vignettes in this series are in the pipeline.
Without giving too much away, is there a particular moment/favourite line in one of your works that stands out to you as being something that you think is quite moving to readers?
I think the conclusion of “Of Love and Secrets,” a short
novel that also forms part of the compilation entitled “Love, Now and Then,” is
rather moving. The heroine finds happiness after enduring a long train of
adversities. This story was highly praised by a Readers Favorite reviewer.
About the author
My early life was spent living near the city of Sydney. I
was glad when my family moved us all to an old house in the Georges River
district. Here, I found peace, and discovered the beautiful, nurturing
environment of Oatley Park. As I grew older, I cared for my ailing mother –
meanwhile, studying the art of writing. Six months after she passed away, I met
and later married the creator of the Grand Organ in the Sydney Opera House,
Ronald William Sharp. We still live in my family home, along with our Maltese,
Chicki, and a blue budgerigar named Albert.
