In Chapter Thirteen, a family reunion puts Rachel’s dubious cooking talents to the test – while her sister Lou ruffles feathers with some snarky comments about Rachel’s love life.
It’s timely then that Rachel’s pal Kate may soon have a solution for their accommodation dilemma.
But amid the celebrations, the sinister letters from Rachel’s Secret Admirer continue to keep coming, raising concerns among her work colleagues.
It’s a shorter chapter this week, so a lighter workload for Mr Fletcher – only two male characters – both are brilliant. Take a listen and let me know your thoughts in the ‘comments’ section.
This is a shorter chapter than usual as it marks a pivotal point in Rachel and Tim’s relationship and is quite a feisty, public scene. Those who live in Melbourne might recognise real-life restaurant Bistro Thierry but you may not be used to hearing Alan Fletcher swearing like a trouper… !! Yep, he’s playing the character of Tim who has plenty to say when he learns about a secret Rachel has been hiding. Listen here to find out more:
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.
Rachel 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!
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.
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.
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.
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…
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:
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.
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
