The Frog Pond Writers Cave

Helen Woodall lives in Melbourne, Australia and is an editor for Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc. She edits for all lines and has quite a number of authors (frogs) in her pond. As a frogpond/EC author, I’ve learned some interesting idioms and colloquialisms between American English and Australian English. Translating edits and emails can be interesting and comical at times considering we write erotic romance. Sometimes she says, Huh? And sometimes I say, Huh? I remember one edit included the Australian term for unlocking a door that had me stumped for quite some time. Overall, I think Helen is helping me become a better writer.

Helen is fond of nature, most especially frogs. I also think her favorite place to vacation is a beach at the ocean—mine too! Her quote about frogs:

“Frogs are the most threatened group of animals on Earth. Frogs are bioindicators—dying frogs means endangered environment.”

Frogs follow her everywhere she goes. They must magically appear and multiply because new ones arrive constantly. They line her bookshelves, windowsills and desk. When she travels, frogs must accompany her. You can always tell an EC author who is a frog (one of Helen’s authors) because she will be wearing a frog pin.

Last year Helen came to RomantiCon, Ellora’s Cave convention in Richfield, Ohio and brought along many gifts and tasty treats to try. We tried Vegemite—a health food spread we put on baguette bread slices. Not bad, a bit salty, malty flavor with lots of B vitamins. The Tim Tams, a chocolate treat were yummy! The mini stuffed koala bear is in my office at work, and the pretty painted rock I keep at my writing desk and is use as a paper weight and for good luck.

This year at RomantiCon, October 7-10, 2010, Helen will again be joining us. You’ll know who she is by the frogs who are following her.