Author creates bizarre excuses
TWELVE year old Gemma Martin wants to be an actress, but school is getting in the way.
Gemma has used all the usual excuses to avoid her homework, but now she's facing serious consequences and must rely on her vivid imagination to create the most extraordinary homework excuse ever.
This is but a taste of local author Michelle Adams' first junior fiction novel No Ordinary Excuse.
February 11 will mark the Murwillumbah launch of the book and Ms Adams invites all to the free event which includes book signing, afternoon tea and giveaways.
"The launch is being held in conjunction with Murwillumbah bookstore Heidi's Place, recently under new management," she said.
"No Ordinary Excuse is published by Odyssey books for 9 to 12 year old readers."
Ms Adams said she has lived in the Tweed Valley for 16 years while maintaining active advocacy for the region's creative arts.
"I currently host a youth writers' group through Tweed Shire Council and plan to commence adult writers' workshops in Murwillumbah in Term 2."
She said the story her protagonist, Gemma, created initially "skyrockets her popularity, but it isn't long before things start to spiral out of control and Gemma is headed for disaster".
"No Ordinary Excuse is the story of how our biggest mistakes are often our greatest teachers."
According to Ms Adams' online biography, she is "not of the modern, fast-paced world".
"She exists in a realm where everyone has enough time to hear a good story, and the joy of growing and cooking your own food is the norm," it reads.
"Neighbours trade things over the fence and a tribe of children trample through the house on a daily basis.
"Some of them live here, but many others float in and out upon wafting aromas or wandering welcome bubbles.
"This is a happy place where the magic of imagination is alive and well."
Ms Adams also penned regular feature column The Village Voice for the Daily News for 12 months during the year 2000.
Her most recent educational achievement was studying professional book editing, proofreading and publishing through Australian college QED through 2010-2011, where she completed a Diploma of Publishing with distinction.
No Ordinary Excuse will be launched from the Coolamon Cultural Centre on Tumbulgum Rd, Murwillumbah, from 2pm (NSW) to 4pm.
Contact her on 0417623051 or visit www.michelleadams.com.au to register your interest.
