Guest Post & Giveaway: Kirsty Eagar of Raw Blue

Wednesday, August 31, 2011



As many of you know, it's Kirsty Eagar Appreciation Week, and this lovely feature is hosted by the all-too-awesome Linds from Bibliophile Brouhaha and Nic from Irresistible Reads. Raw Blue is a one of a kind read that transformed my opinion of contemporary fiction in a single read, and I'm still blown away by the book to this day. I jumped at the chance to share the love for the brilliant author and incredible book. Please join me in welcoming Kirsty Eagar to my little blog for a post about something we share in common...our love of the ocean and the setting of Raw Blue!


RAW BLUE - THE PLACE

Hello people! Thank you all so much for supporting Raw Blue. Writing that book affected me a lot, so it’s lovely to know that the story is travelling and some of you guys have met the characters. I know not all of you will be familiar with Sydney’s northern beaches – the setting for the story – so how do you feel about coming on a quick virtual tour with me?

1. North Narrabeen

The place where Carly is living and surfing. It’s a beachside suburb that is pretty well awash with water when you consider that it not only fronts the ocean but is also home to Narrabeen Lakes (people sometimes call it ‘the lagoon’ – pick your pony). I’ve just spent a year living directly across the road from the surf break there, and the photo on the left is what I looked out at from my writing desk – !!! (Although I should say that I usually had to cross the road to check the surf. It normally breaks further up. That photo was taken on a huge winter’s day). The photo on the right is the other extreme – that’s me on some incredibly small summer slops.



2. The Café - Manly

When people talk about the northern beaches what they’re referring to is 30 kilometres (18.5 miles) of coastline that starts at a suburb called Manly and stretches northwards to a place called Palm Beach. The café where Carly works is in Manly, which is a really lovely suburb bracketed by the beach on one side and the harbour on the other. It’s very popular with tourists because it’s a ferry ride away from the city. The café in the story is fictional, but based on real places that I worked at while I was travelling around Australia. I’d love to name them but I’d better not. I think they’d sue. Hollandaise sauce, anyone?

3. Turtlebacks at Dee Why (chapter 22)

Dee Why is the place where Ryan and Carly go to check out a huge south swell. It’s three beaches north of Manly. There really was a large Tasman Sea swell that hit Sydney during the year I wrote the first draft of the book (2006). I took these photos of it from Dee Why. Note the two guys at the edge of the tidal pool about to get smashed – they’re the turtlebacks in the story.




4. The Collaroy Services Club

At the risk of getting all Big Yellow Taxi on you, I’m surprised at how many things have changed since 2006. The Collaroy Services Club (chapter 26) is now called The Beach Club. And The Sands (a pub mentioned briefly in chapter 24) has been bulldozed for apartments. They’ve built a new Sands – I don’t like it, though; it’s not as good. But I’m getting sidetracked. This is the Collaroy Services Club where Ryan takes Carly for a drink when he first comes back from the mines. Nice location, hey?



Well, that wraps it up. Thanks for having me! I hope it’s all humming for you, wherever you are.

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Thank you so much for dropping by, Kirsty! Now for all of you, please visit the rest of the events this week - you can view the full list HERE...annnnnnndddd thanks to the lovely author and coordinators of this event, I have a signed copy of Raw Blue up for grabs for you guys! Want to enter? The rules are simple:

As always, you do NOT need to be a follower to enter, but it's always appreciated! This giveaway is open internationally and will end promptly at midnight on September 7, 2011 at 12 AM EST.

Click HERE to enter!

24 comments:

  1. Awwww. It's kind of sad to learn that a few of the places from the book have changed, especially since 'memories' have been built around them, but I guess it's bound to happen, no matter how much you wish for things to remain the same. I loved following Carly around as she visited these places. Totally makes me want to visit Australia.

    P.S. Are the photos of Dee Why missing? Didn't see any.

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  2. Thank you for participating Melissa. This is an awesome post from Kirsty. I remember this places in the story so well :)

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  3. I am so excited knowing I have a chance to win Raw Blue. I have been obessing over this since I first read a review over at InkCrush, and since I have been unable to purchase it myself am keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for the amazing post and the chance to win the book.

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  4. Great post and the cover is 'freakish' amazing!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  5. Sounds like she has some beautiful view to inspire her while she writes.

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  6. Great giveaway. I so want to go to Australia.

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  7. Wow. I'd like to point out that the pic from her desk was taken on a WINTER's day. So. jealous. Those places are insanely gorgeous - field trip, anyone?

    -Linds

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  8. Those are some pretty pictures! I lived by the beach most of my life, and now, being stuck in north Texas isn't doing me any good, lol. Great post, Melissa :)

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  9. I need to visit Australia ASAP! The imagery in the book of the water and the beaches was so lovely it made me want to hop on a plane immediately.

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  10. Wow, look at those waves! Incredible:) I would love to visit there someday, it just looks absolutely stunning. Thanks so much for sharing these pictures Kirsty and Melissa! And a huge THANK YOU for the giveaway as well:)

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  11. Great post :=D
    And wow, those waves are huge! I mean I know they can be but we sure got nothing like that here

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  12. Those pictures are gorgeous! It's very tempting to drop everything and get on a flight to Australia right now. :) Great post and giveaway!

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  13. I would love living on the beach, even if it was for a short while.

    If I ever visit Australia and need to be careful of the places I dine, lol. Raw Blue has taught me this. It has also taught me that the US is probably just as horrible.

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  14. I've heard you rave about this one time and again, figured I'd take a chance to win one before I scoot off to buy it! Thanks!

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  15. I want to read this book so bad! Ever since I saw your review, Melissa. And I love the pictures! I want to visit Australia!
    Thanks for the Giveaway!

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  16. Oh, I LOVE tours like this where you get to see where a book took place. So very cool. Thanks for this post, Kirsty, and thanks to everyone participating in this week... I'm having fun reading all the posts so far. =)

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  17. WOW, gorgeous pictures. Just leads me to wonder how beautiful it must be in Kristy's words... ♥

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  18. Oh my goodness, I want to live there! I would totally learn surfing if I did. Can't wait to read this book! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  19. I love the pictures! I can totally see the places all in my head now! Well I could before but now I have an even better picture. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  20. eep! i LOVE this post ~ and all those pictures with it

    you are SUCH a promoter of this book. i have lost count of the amount of times i have seen you casually refer to it on your blog <3

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  21. I just finished Raw Blue so seeing those pictures was fantastic, the water looks amazing what a view to look out on every day.

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