Jennifer Hansen's Blog

MAKING HEADLINES AUDIO BOOK – CHAPTER TWO, Part One

In this next instalment of my novel MAKING HEADLINES, Rachel pushes forward with a plan to steer her career up the ladder, but will it pay off? As well, she discovers she might not have the stomach for some of the more traumatic stories TV reporters have to cover.

Pin ItRachel Bentley features on the cover page for the novel MAKING HEADLINES

Rachel does however make a decisive step in her relationship with Tim but we realize she’s holding another secret about her personal life very much under wraps.

Learn more in this latest audio instalment of MAKING HEADLINES.

Alan Fletcher plays many male characters in Chapter Two, including Rachel’s News Director boss, Tony Nielson, several characters from the sports department, Charlie – a news cameraman, a senior police officer and again, Rachel’s boyfriend Tim. Take a listen and let me know which one you like best!

MAKING HEADLINES AUDIO BOOK

CHAPTER ONE – SECOND HALF

So here it is! The latest audio instalment of my novel MAKING HEADLINES – voiced by myself and hubby Alan Fletcher. For those of you who know Fletch better as Dr Karl and might be sad about Neighbours coming to an end, you can get your weekly fix of drama and intrigue right here – also while hearing the dulcet tones of Mr Fletcher.

Pin ItRachel Bentley features on the cover page for the novel MAKING HEADLINES

MAKING HEADLINES follows the story of a young TV reporter, Rachel Bentley, as she navigates her way up a tricky career ladder – all the while dealing with the emotional impact of reporting on life’s tragedies and juggling some major dramas in her personal life.

You can hear the first half of Chapter One in the previous Blog and the second half here. I’ll create a new post once a week for easy and FREE listening.

Chapter One is naturally the ‘establishing’ chapter of the book which will introduce the listener to the main characters. You’ll also learn Rachel is facing some tough challenges in her personal life with her unemployed dope-smoking boyfriend while career-wise, she takes on a sexist senior in the newsroom…

Fletch plays a variety of roles in this instalment. He voices Rachel’s boyfriend Tim, several police officers and Rachel’s newsroom chief-of-staff, Rob Kingsbury.

The plot thickens further in Chapter Two. If you’d like an email every week for easier, regular access, subscribe to this blog and it’ll happen automatically. Stay tuned and let me know your thoughts in the comments section!

AUDIO BOOK – A READING OF MY NOVEL ‘MAKING HEADLINES’

It’s coming up to the TEN year anniversary of the publication of my first novel MAKING HEADLINES with Harper Collins. I must say I probably should have done more to publicize the book at the time, but self-promotion can be awkward – not to mention the fact that I felt slightly disappointed my labour of love had only made the grade as an e-Book. SO now I’ve decided to use this milestone to try something fun that might also help garner interest.

Keep in mind that while I DID, in the past, work as a TV journalist and newsreader, MAKING HEADLINES is definitely a fictitious book! While I had an Arts Degree and was a qualified journalist, I went ‘back to school’ after I left Channel Ten to study the art of novel writing at RMIT where I obtained by Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing. And of course, during my studies, we were told to write about what we know best for our first novel. So this is what I’ve done. The main character, Rachel Bentley, lives a much more outrageous life than Jennifer Hansen!

Pin It

Each week, I’m going to read half or a third of a chapter (depending on the length of each chapter) and post it here on my website so you can listen to it – like you would an audio book. I’ll post it here as an audio file so you can easily play it in the background while you get on with other things.

I’ll start with a general introduction to the novel, but afterwards will just get on with reading the book. Not sure how I’ll go reading the more ‘spicy’ sections, but that might provide some amusement! So here goes!

A SHORT TEASER FOR MAKING HEADLINES:

Stay tuned for the first intalment from Chapter One next week!

Advice for Elon Musk – and why you should (and shouldn’t) buy a TESLA

Buying a new car is a major decision for most people – including myself. After much consideration and taking climate change into account, I went off to Chadstone in 2020 to test drive the Model 3 Tesla. An electric vehicle is the way of the future – right? Great for the planet and this car was winning rave reviews.

Tesla display vehicle at Chadstone in 2020

It’s a beautiful looking machine and absolutely YES – it drives like a dream. The idea of never having to visit a petrol station again and deal with the increasing price of fuel was also very appealing. Not to mention the comfort features, touchscreen controls, an automatic phone charging console and no car-keys required – it’s all run through an App on your I-phone.

After one test drive, I was sold. Three months later, my dream car arrived. It’s been everything I had hoped for and more. I was starting to sound like a car salesperson when chatting with friends and should have earned a commission from TESLA for all the glowing reviews I delivered.

Then less than a year later – a horrific out-of-the-blue accident that’s turned into an ongoing nightmare. I was driving home from a shopping trip (ironically at Chadstone) with my daughter in a straight line down North Road this happened:

Accident on January 17 this year

The most important outcome from the accident was that Veronica, myself and the other driver survived without any major injuries. I largely credit the strength of the Tesla’s inner frame for protecting us. The inner cabin was unscathed but the car itself was almost a write-off. Still, it was deemed salvageable and sent off for repairs.

BUT it’s coming up to FIVE months since the accident and I still don’t have my car back. I’m not blaming the car repairer – they are doing their best – but there’s a global problem with the supply of vehicle parts (and actual vehicles) causing major headaches for the entire industry. It seems TESLA is one of the worst hit.

So while I would still thoroughly recommend buying a TESLA – do keep in mind that IF you have an accident (and God-willing, you don’t) you could lose your car for up to six months or more.

And if you want to BUY a new TESLA – which was listed last year as Australia’s BEST-SELLING electric vehicle – the wait time is now between nine and 12 months.

Which leads me to my advice to Elon Musk. Given these ridiculous delays, why not start a TESLA manufacturing plant HERE in Australia – instead of investing in TWITTER?

More than TWELVE THOUSAND Teslas were sold in Australia last year. Given the statistics are still on an upward trend, we’re going to need a LOT more Teslas AND plenty more spare parts for any of them that are involved in accidents.

The body and chassis the TESLA are made of bauxite aluminium, titanium, and boron steel – all of which are produced here in Australia. How good would that be for sales – if car buyers knew they no longer had to wait an eternity – not only for their vehicle to arrive – but also to get their cars back after an accident? It would also be great for employment in the technology and car industries in Australia. Not to mention the benefits for climate change with a bigger uptake of electric vehicles.

So, Elon, what do you think?

And if not a new plant in Australia – could you at least fast-track the ONE remaining part required to fix my car (a sub-fame or front-cross-member: part number 10444531-00-B) so I can get back on the road again?

Lastly, thank you for making such a strong vehicle that means Veronica and I are still alive and happy.

Veronica and me

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NOTE: I tried putting various questions about Tesla sales and manufacturing statistics as well as the wait on parts for my vehicle to the Tesla PR company at apacpress@tesla.com but all three of my emails remain unanswered.

 

Why we need to support the NOW Australia crowd-funding campaign

Tracey Spicer has done something pretty remarkable. With all the stories bursting forth in the wake of #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns, she has recognised that we need to seize on the momentum for change and do something practical. We need more than just words.

That means taking action that will keep the issues of inequality and sexual harassment in the spotlight AND help victims with support and the right tools to seek justice and protection.

Tracey Spicer has launched the NOW Australia campaign

 

Tracey has formed NOW as a nationwide organisation supporting survivors of sexual harassment and through crowdfunding, and is hoping to raise $250,000 to fund its work for twelve months. Just click on the blue link here to donate.

Can you chip in and help NOW reach its target?

Here is part of the Now campaign’s brief:

 

“Across Australia, one in two women, and one in four men, have experienced sexual harassment. Many people may not be getting the support they need, simply because they don’t know where to go. While there are a number of specialised counselling and legal services available, laws and services differ from state to state. When people do come forward, navigating this landscape is a daunting experience. NOW will provide a first point of call for everybody, no matter who they are or where they come from, to connect with the support they need.”

I am thrilled to have been asked to be an Ambassador for NOW. Given how many instances of sexual harassment and discrimination I have witnessed over the years, I am excited to be part of a movement that is keeping the momentum for change going with such an important initiative.

Tracey is spearheading the organisation, which will be a non-profit, non-partisan network for people across all industries who have been sexually harassed, assaulted or intimidated.

NOW will help people understand their rights and options, and support them if they wish to tell their story. The money raised will go to fund to pay for counselling and legal services, including a growing network of lawyers around Australia.

Please donate NOW – it’s so important we make this work!

The other way you can help is by purchasing a brilliant song written and performed by one of Australia’s greatest singers, Melinda Schneider, called MY VOICE, on iTunes.

You can buy My Voice on iTunes

All proceeds from sales of the song will go to NOW Australia.

So there you have it. If you’ve ever wanted to take action but been too afraid, NOW you really can help. This is an initiative that will be a game changer. Help make it work.

When art, fashion and luck collide… with a dash of DIOR.

I know I’m superstitious and love believing in ‘signs’ when they suit, but sometimes the universe really DOES seem to be sending a message you can’t ignore.

Just last month, a wise woman in New Orleans told me I needed to reboot certain creative aspects in my life. I couldn’t agree more. The writing, painting and music passions have dwindled away in the past year as life’s problems and repetitive domesticity eat into the hours that could have been spent at the piano or easel.

Then two weeks ago another wise counsellor told me to look for ‘inspiration’ and to do what truly makes me happy when being creative.

AND to truly drive the message home, I turned up at a cocktail function last Thursday night where I won a prize. This wasn’t just any old prize like a meat tray at a school fete – but a seriously beautiful piece of art.

Dior – 70 Years of Haute Couture

Fletch and I had been invited to a glamorous cocktail party at the SOFITEL Hotel, celebrating the upcoming DIOR Exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria – DIOR – 70 Years of Haute Couture.

Dior cocktail – The Flower

 

The hotel’s talented sommeliers designed cocktails inspired by Dior’s most famous creations. This one in particular, cradling a frozen ball in rosewater in Creme de Violette and Grey Goose Le Citron, was a work of art in itself.

 

But what really caught my eye was a young woman, painting a fashion illustration in the corner. Estelle had been enlisted to produce a work inspired by a famous Dior gown, that would be won by a lucky guest at the party. Her hands worked quickly and confidently, bringing the garment to life with a sweep of the brush, transforming fashion into art and creating a work of beauty.

Turns out it was my lucky night. My name was announced as the winner and I couldn’t have been more delighted.

Estelle presents her Dior inspired painting

Here’s a closer view so you can appreciate the finer detail.

THE Dior inspired Painting

And now it is time to pick up a paintbrush myself. Thanks Estelle for the inspiration.

If you’d like to see more of Estelle’s work, or to order one of her works for yourself, check out her website @thebespokeillustrator.com

 

A multi-talented man…

It’s a little galling when someone is granted more than their fair share from the talent pool. I’m sure you know the types – the ones who can’t decide whether to play professional tennis OR football; the musician with a hit album who also scores a lead role in a movie or the academic with a host of degrees who leads a secret life as a professional snowboarder…

Yep, these particularly gifted people really are a tad annoying. I know they are because I live with one. My husband. And yet I can’t also help but be proud. Let me explain…

Hubby – aka Alan Fletcher

Many of you probably know him as Dr Karl Kennedy – aka extremely talented actor Alan Fletcher. Before his life in Neighbours, Fletch played roles in dozens of plays for the Melbourne Theatre Company, made several notable films and was nominated for an AFI award for his role in the TV series EMBASSY. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s about to embark on a new TV show which he will film alongside Neighbours and THIS program is designed to showcase his talents as a PHOTOGRAPHER.

 

 

See? Bet you didn’t know he was also a talented snapper now, did you? Although many actors DO know this because taking headshots of other performers used to be a sideline job for Fletch. Over the years he’s studied his craft and worked on his techniques to the point where he’ll now be travelling the world and sharing with audience his best tips and his most inspiring photographs.

Here’s one of another ‘snapper’ from our recent trip to the United States:

Giant Alligator – by Alan Fletcher

That was taken during a swamp tour outside New Orleans. Well worth doing if you happen to be in town. We booked with Honey Island Swamp Tours – known as the oldest and best in the business. Who would have thought they’d jump so high just for the taste of a marshmallow? Yep, that’s what they feed ’em…

Here’s another ‘gator snapped by Fletch which I thought was pretty impressive… and cute. Funny how we all love baby pictures, no matter what species.

Baby gator

Here are a couple of other favourite photos I chose that Fletch took on our recent trip to the Deep South in the U.S.

This is an arty snap from a wet day on the streets of New Orleans:

New Orleans

Then there’s one of a steamboat on the Mississippi:

Steamboat on the Mississippi

… And a couple from a bikie gathering in Memphis:

Bikie gathering in Memphis

 

Bikies on Beale Street

Of course, the photos look even better when viewed in a professional format but I’m sure you get the idea – he’s pretty talented, right?

So if you’d like to see more of Fletch’s work, stay tuned for when PHOTO NUMBER 6 takes to our TV screens sometime next year. It’s a travel show with a difference that will take you on a wild and wonderful ride.

 

For more details, check out the show website at www.photonumber6.com

 

How to get a good night’s sleep – with scientific proof! ( kind of…)

It’s a never-ending topic of discussion among those of us who work in brekkie radio – SLEEP.

If only we could all sleep like the babies…

How much did you get last night? How DID you sleep? Were you woken up? Did you get to bed on time? For some reason, our sleeping habits provide an endless source of conversation and fascination.

Even if you have a regular job, the yearning for a decent night’s sleep is an all-too common problem. Finding the solution to achieving a good quality night’s shut-eye is like a search for the Holy Grail.

Well now I can offer some SCIENTIFIC PROOF that should help you on your way.

I use a FITBIT that monitors my sleeping habits with a graph. Basically it shows a blue graph that is interrupted by light blue lines when I am restless. Pink means I’ve actually got up and out of bed to go the bathroom or get a glass of water.

Here’s what happens when I use an electronic device – mostly my iPhone – before turning out the bedside lamp:

My sleep pattern last night

And here’s what happens if I read a book instead:

My sleep pattern after reading a book

NO BREAKS AT ALL!!

Books beat phones hands down.

I tried it again the following night and here’s proof:

Sleep pattern last Wednesday night

You might think it’s obvious, but if you’re like me, you’ve heard the advice before and ignored it. Now I’m convinced the experts are right and I hope you are too.

So it’s simple – PUT AWAY YOUR MOBILE PHONE AND i-PAD and READ instead.

Happy sleeping!

 

 

Going Wild about WILD HOLLY (It’s all about the pies…)

Cold winter days like today make me just want to snuggle up under a doona binge-watching TV series and eating comfort food.

Ah, comfort food – the stuff that takes us back to our childhood – when treats from the bakery were vanilla slices and jam tarts with not a sniff of salted caramel in sight. As for school lunches, it was a special day when you were allowed to order a basic meat pie for lunch. With tomato sauce, of course.

So you imagine my delight when daughter Veronica took up an apprenticeship this year at Brighton’s oldest bakery – WILD HOLLY. Now this is a store where baking traditionalists will be in pure heaven. It’s been running since 1937 and while much has changed over the years, what comes out of the kitchen still has lashings of good old-fashioned quality and style.

Come with me and I’ll take you on a trip down the foodie world’s memory lane. But be warned – you’ll be drooling.

Owner and head baker Brett O’Callaghan says WILD HOLLY is not only Brighton’s oldest bakery, but the second oldest business in the suburb overall. His father, Brian, began as an apprentice baker with the first owner, Mr Perry, as a teenager. No one can remember Mr Perry’s first name – apparently he was never called anything else.

Wild Holly Bakery in Brighton

While the shop has moved from several locations over the years, it’s been in its current position at 389 Bay Street, Brighton, for the past forty years. Brett has been at the helm for about ten years and we chatted about how the store has maintained its success.

JEN: I guess a lot of Wild Holly’s appeal comes from the fact that you still carry a lot of traditional cakes people can’t find anywhere else?

BRETT: Yes, we do a lot of older-style cakes, biscuits and pies – traditional stuff that we make on the premises. We make everything here. There’s only one biscuit we out-source and we make just under 200 lines.

Owner Brett O’Callaghan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JEN: Wow – that’s a lot of cooking! How many staff do you have?

21st birthday Croquembouche cake

BRETT: We have eleven staff with four bakers out the back, including myself and the rest are shop staff. I trained under Dad. Left school and didn’t know what I wanted to do so Dad said, ‘You can’t be a bum and come and work for me.’ So I did and eventually fell in love with it. Did a four-year-apprenticeship then worked at several other places but came back and managed the shop for a couple of years with Dad but that caused a few hiccups because we had some different ideas about how to do things. Then I went and opened up my own bakery in Hampton for twelve years, then moved to Sydney for ten years then came back and bought this off my father and have been here ever since.

JEN: Was you Dad a hard taskmaster?

BRETT: Oh yes, he was. He had high standard and an ‘It’s my way or the highway’ work ethic. He was President of the Bakers Association of Australia and went overseas, representing Australia in various competitions. And he still offers advice.

JEN: What drew you back to the business?

BRETT: Basically dad was getting older and wanted to sell. I wanted to keep it going too so bought it from him and it’s been mine ever since.

JEN: Do you ever think about updating the style of cakes and pastries?

A delectable selection…

BRETT: I like to keep it as traditional as possible, using the recipes and the old-style way they’re made. We do make some new things – especially because of the cooking shows – and will give a few things a crack for a while but our clientele prefer the traditional stuff. The older-style biscuits are extremely popular. And the kids love the cupcakes and the older customers love the old-fashioned sponge cakes.

Popular Wild Holly biscuits

JEN: I love the cupcakes! Do you vary the designs?

BRETT: Yep, we do pigs and cats, frogs, faces. Easter we do little chickens and at Christmas we do reindeer and snowmen, then ghosts for Halloween, so there’s a bit of variety.

An assortment of cupcakes

JEN: Christmas must be a busy time for you?

BRETT: Yes, we do Christmas puddings and cakes. We even started up Christmas cooking classes last year that were really popular, so we’ll start them up even earlier this year, around September or October.

JEN: How have your worked in such business for so many years with so much lovely food around you and not become fat?

Wild Holly is famous for its quality pies and sausage rolls

BRETT: (laughs) Well I was very fat once, but decided I couldn’t go on like that so started physically training a lot – running and swimming and bike-riding – so that helped.

JEN: But do you still eat the cakes?

The cake Ronnie promises she’ll make for me one day!!

BRETT: Oh, yes, I have to. I need to try everything. I mean, if an apprentice puts too much salt in something – which doesn’t happen a lot – I need to know. So I need to check the flavours.

Of course Brett would NEVER be speaking about Veronica, because it seems likes she’s doing pretty well. Most importantly, she loves her work  – even though she starts before dawn. For us, it’s always a great day when she brings home extras to sample. Especially the meat pies! Now that’s something I can never say NO to.

That’s my girl! Veronica and her pies

So there you have it. If you’re looking for some respite from all those high falutin cooking shows and fancy pants restaurants and are hankering for a taste of the best from yesteryear – now you know where to go. Yep, Wild Holly. Still serving it up as good as it was nearly eighty years ago. YUM!

FOR ENQUIRIES, PHONE WILD HOLLY ON 9596 4915 or visit the shop at 389 Bay Street, Brighton.

How To Make A Book Trailer

My eBook, Making Headlines

There’s a lot more to writing a book these days than just writing a book. Especially an eBook!

Yep, promotion is essential. It’s vital to spread the word however you can, encouraging the interest of would-be-readers to take that all-important step of buying your book online. There are endless possibilities for promoting your work, but it does take time. There’s Blogger and media interviews to pursue; social media posts on a regular basis and public speaking engagements.

On top of all that – you can even produce a BOOK TRAILER. I thought this was a fairly new concept but it turns out production companies have been making them for several years.

Being a child of the TV industry, the thought of a book trailer for my eBook MAKING HEADLINES was very exciting so I contacted a friend of ours, Stig Wemyss, who owns MEZZANINE PRODUCTIONS to see if he could help.

Luckily, he managed to find the time in his hectic schedule to fit in one more project and here is the result!

If you want to know more about Stig’s thoughts on the production of a BOOK TRAILER, read on…

JEN: How many book trailers have you made?

Rachel Bentley reporting ‘live’!

STIG: Making Headlines was our first book trailer. Over the years, we have made a number of movie trailers, including several shorts and one for the Australian feature film Rogue. The principle is the same, except with a film trailer you already have the material to work with. It’s a matter of teasing out the story without the whole thing ending up as one big spoiler alert. With a book trailer, it’s a blank canvass, a licence to be creative with how you choose to visually present the work. I found that an exciting prospect.

 JEN: Is this a growing trend?

STIG: When I found out we had the job,  I googled book trailers and I couldn’t believe how many are out there. It seems mandatory for every new release to have a visual on-line presence. It certainly makes sense for e-books and on-line releases and it made me realise what a huge market it is. We would love to more work in this space.

JEN: What do you think makes a good book trailer?

STIG: I think it’s about capturing the essence of the story in an engaging and concise way. At it’s core, a trailer is really an advertisement for the book, its job is to excite  the viewer  into wanting to read it but I also think it should stand alone.  A self-contained mini-movie with a start, a middle and an end that flirts with the story and leaves the audience wanting more.  It should reflect the essence of the book. If the book is a comedy, it should be funny – if it’s a murder mystery, it should intrigue.  Most importantly, it should take you into the world in which the book is set so the viewer already feels a connection to the story.

JEN: Do you think t’s important to read the book before making the trailer so you have a good understanding of what to produce?

A scene from the MAKING HEADLINES Book Trailer

STIG: In the case of Making Headlines, I read the synopsis and Jen briefed me on the narrative. I think it would be helpful to read the entire book but not absolute necessary.  Speaking directly to Jen gave me a pure sense of the book, not flavoured by my own version of it and that’s the most important thing, to capture and present the author’s vision in a clear and concise way.

JEN: Is it expensive? Roughly, what sort of budget would an author need to hire you?

STIG: Like with any film, the cost is dependent on the script, style and production. If you want a car chase and exploding buildings it will cost more than just having the author speaking to camera with the odd bit of text on screen. Animation is time consuming and therefore adds to the cost but we like to think that whatever your budget, we can create something that will engage the audience and promote your product. Of course, we love car chases and exploding buildings the best.

JEN: Do you always use animation?

Animation from the Book Trailer

STIG: We use animation more and more in the videos we make. Sometimes the entire piece is animated and sometimes it’s a mix of animation and real life. In the case of Making Headlines that blend worked particularly well. The animation allowed us to create a visual representation of Rachel’s world that was stylised, therefore leaving room for the reader’s imagination.  And using real life footage of Jennifer at the computer, meant we could tap into her celebrity and credentials as a TV Newsreader.

JEN: What makes book trailers a successful marketing tool?

STIG: Getting traction with any product in an overpopulated market place is not easy. In a world where everyone has a social media profile and a click and play mentality, this form of visual marketing is the most successful. The trailer got shared, liked, copied, tweeted and re-tweeted without the expense of formal advertising. A short, catchy, video is far more palatable to media-hungry consumers than any other form of promotion.

JEN: What other production work does Mezzanine Productions do?


STIG: We make Corporate Videos, web videos, TV commercials and short films for a raft of different clients and applications. We take care of every aspect of the filmmaking process, from the initial creative and scripting right through to the final edit and sound design. To find out more or to view more of our work, go to mezzanineproductions.com.au


THANKS STIG AND I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED THE BOOK TRAILER!

My eBook, Making Headlines

Don’t forget, if you want to buy my book, MAKING HEADLINES is available at all good eBook retailers! (Including iBooks, Amazon and Google books.)