Brief synopsis for each of my three books.

The three books are quite different in style and subject matter.

‘Coastal Yarns’ is a collection of 9 short stories, all reflecting a uniquely New Zealand quality. Some are funny while others are a bit spooky or perhaps spiritual. This book is for the nostalgic amongst you. It was exhibited at the 2011 Frankfurt Book Fair.

‘Roskill’ is my second book. ‘P’ (Methamphetamine) is a potent and societal wrecking drug in many countries. It has impacted on the lives of many in New Zealand. Roskill tells the story of a family and how it tries to cope with the results of the father becoming involved in the world of ‘P’. It is only when the mother decides to take matters into her own hands that there is a sliver of hope, albeit one based on a dangerous intervention. The family members each search for their own salvation, in very different ways. Despite the serious subject matter the book also has many lighter moments. Roskill is a book that every parent should read as well as teenager. The book poses the perennial question—‘What do you do when your parents embark on a journey that they have told you not to travel?’

‘Talk To Me,’ my third book is a tongue-in-cheek mystery. The story is based around the goings on in a talk-back radio station, where the main character becomes the unwilling victim of a cynical plot on the part of the mangers of the station. Spot, a mischievous Jack Russell ‘Terrorist, the much loved pet of Garry’ is targeted in this fast moving, hilarious, and at times sinister plot. The story culminates in a dramatic ending, one that you may not see coming.

All books can be purchased online through my website or directly via my email.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

neilcolemanauthor@gmail.com

It is possible to feed a familly of six quite cheaply---

You just have to think, and if you grow some of your own greens, it is even cheaper. Grow your own Silver beet (Swiss Chard--it is easy to grow almost anywhere).
Here is a goodie.

Buy a cheap whole chicken and chop it into peices. (Why pay for somone else to cut it up?) It doesn't matter if it is not pretty. Cut two onions and carrots. Put them on the bottom of a slow cooker and then place the chopped chicken on top. For flavouring, add any Magi or Continental sache to the mix. If you want you can stick the chicken into a plastic bag first with the flavouring to premix it. Don't add water.
Now turn on the slow cooker---high for 5 hours or low for 8 plus hours. Cooking times do depend on the make of slow cooker you have. In NZ, they are really cheap on Trade Me.
Don't lift the lid until nealry ready. You can make a gravy by simply mixing corn flour and water then cook for anorther 20 minutes on high, but you may find that unessesary.
Serve with your home grown Silverbeet and either mashed plotatoes or rice.
You can prepare the slow cooker mix the night before and place in the fridge, then turn on when you go to work and come home to a ready cooked meal. The smell welcoming you home is enough to make you forget the crappy day.
  Cheers
  Neil

Into the great unknown! You have to spend to gain?

I took a huge step today. In order to market my books I have paid to have my LinkedIn page to be advertised. I almost shook as I pushed the final button. Entrusting my credit card with what I hope is a set amount for advertising comes at a price for me. Having had a few difficult experiences in the past re my publishing, this step was in the ‘very hard basket for me.’

However, I know that if I don’t do this and go out on a limb I shall remain in ‘limbo,’ whether my books are good or bad. The ups and downs of self-publishing are indeed scary.

My ultimate aim is for me to keep writing and to garner enough readers to make it worthwhile; that is to supplement my income to the point where retirement (in the not so distant future) is not one where I have to look at every cent I spend. I have also noticed that it keeps my brain alive. My ever suffering friends and family can attest to my ‘never shutting up,’ so at least if my utterings are on the pages of my books, they can shut the book without me knowing.

The Pukeko and Mr Key---who's the more clever?

On the way back from the Bay (for the second time today) after our walk, Perdy and I were both surprised to see a cheeky Pukeko wandering across a busy road. ( The Pukeko is a NZ Native bird---‘Swamp Hen’---this bird has made itself quite at home in the cities and is now something of a Kiwi icon.)

The bird has often been called stupid by people who do not understand the meaning of that word, especially when applied to our feathered friends. I choose to believe that Pukekos are an adaptable, unnervingly ‘survivalistic’ bird and if that doesn’t equate to ‘cleverness’ then what does?

This individual was most definitely coldly calculating in its perception of ‘road rules.’ It could see me coming, but it just looked me in the eye and carried on. It possessed a ‘self-assurance’ that belied my understanding of life and death. Surely if a large object is approaching, one would think that any life form would take appropriate action. Oh no, this Pukeko just carried on, come Hell or high water.

This all reminded me of John Key’s response to the Kim Dotcom affair. Hey---didn’t he see the ramifications way back about the involvement of the security services? Could he not see that the saga would blow up and leave him with egg on his face or did he just assume that it would all go away, because ---the security services are above the law? That My Key is in charge of this service must have equated to both him and the service being untouchable in his books.

Well, it didn’t turn out that way Mr Key. The Pukeko arrived safely to the other side off the road. Yes, I stopped and the traffic behind me seemed to understand that running over the Pukeko was not on. The Pukeko was far more connected to the people than you have been lately, Mr Key!

Update re treatment of the Indonesians on the Korean fishing boat

I was glad to see the reports on TV last night about how the Indonesian fishermen, working on a South Korean fishing boat were finally getting some compensation, albeit still not enough to make up for what they have been through. They were badly treated and grossly underpaid, but they have now received some recompense.

I do not know how their families have coped without a regular pay being sent back to them. It took the intervention of New Zealand authorities to bring this matter closer to a fair settlement. However, these workers are still out of pocket. I do not want to see foreign owned fishing companies, working in our waters and not paying their crews the legal wage. Hopefully the owners will receive a huge fine to make them comply with decent standards in the future. Go well, Indonesian workers. You deserve better.

Holiday reading---'Talk To Me,' my latest book

It's arrived and ready to ship to you. You can buy 'Talk To Me' either from my webiste, or direct by contacting me at neilcolemanauthor@gmail.com (get a discount) or through  www.authorneilcoleman.com If you really don't want pay any money then go to your library and request it. Maybe they will purchase it for the library and you get it free then. Just don't forget to take it back!
'Talk To Me' by Neil Coleman  ISBN 978-0-473-20842-4

What happens when a radio station wants to boost its ratings by using a criminal to harrass one of its talkback hosts? Garry, the host becomes the target and his dog, Spot is caught up in the crazy plot. The crininal soon takes actions not sanctioned by his 'minders' and the 'dog-walkers' respond with a plan of their own. 'Talk To Me is a take-the-piss swipe at talkback radio, sometimes dark and a little bit unPC. Make up your own mind!


Other titles by Neil Coleman
ROSKILL
COASTAL YARNS

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Julia Gillard--- a real leader!

I have decided that Julia Gillard has all that it takes to be an iconic leader. I really felt for her when that twat of a radio jockey made those cruel comments about her after the death of her dear father. She conducted herself with dignity throughout those difficult days and the only loser will be he who uttered such insensitive words.

I admire Julia for many other reasons; namely her ability to hold her Government together despite challenges that would have ‘floored’ a lesser person. She is the queen of the parlour for sure. One cannot help but make comparisons between her and our ex-PM, Helen Clark. I often wonder how the two would have interacted, both being ‘strong minded’ individuals.

I also compare Julia to our PM, Key. The differences are like the Red Sea without a Moses to create a bridge. They are very different people and that in itself is not such a bad thing; it is in how they inspire the direction of their respective nations. It is how they create a vision and then act on it for their countries. Julia wins hands down on both fronts.

I think the real differences can be summed up in how Gillard reaches out in order to connect with Australia. Take for instance the special Peoples’ meetings she is holding at the moment, the latest being in Launceston in Tasmania. I had the privilege to watch her last night on TV, live. Most of her Cabinet Ministers were present and Julia took questions from the floor. There is no doubt that she connected with those present and when she needed support for a particular question, she called on her Ministers to answer. I just cannot summon up a scenario where Key should act in such a knowledgeable and connective manner.

I have been impressed with the ‘other’ side of Julia lately. She is not the hard ice queen that the media has loved to portray. The human side has finally come to the fore. Last night was yet one more example. Julia responded with dignity to the elderly man who reassured her about how most people saw her and the special place she holds her father in her heart. We saw a genuine and warm lady.

For those Australians who do not see things in quite the same way I have presented, I say--- that’s OK--- We shall swap leaders!