Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane heat wave and wind!

Looks like we are getting belted around by our desert winds.

So what's happening?
Well, when we get winds blasting us from the northern areas of Australia, we also get the heat that has draped our central red land, which gives us this crazy heat. And that my friends is setting new records all up and down the east coast.

It's quite normal during summer, as our winds change direction during this time, but for Spring it is just crazy.

Now, because on warm days it is great to grab a good book and start reading, check this out:

www.worldwriterscollective.com/mat-carke

Some great stuff inside!

Oh, and by the way, this heat is not going to last, so open your home up and let it in. Next week will probably go back to below 20C!

Cheers,
Mat.

Need a publisher?

Black Opal Books, a small publisher is currently looking for submissions and are much more willing to take on new clients. However, they do not pay advances, and advertising from them is limited. Still, they are helpful and transparent in all their dealings. And of course, there are no charges to the author!
http://www.blackopalbooks.com/

Also, here is an interesting little bit about a thriller writer in Australia... not me, someone else, in case you were wondering. He went to NYC to try his luck there. Still sounds like me, but I assure you it isn't. Truely: 
http://thrillerfest.com/success-from-down-under/

Mat Clarke
matclarke.wranga.com.au

Commas before a name (or sir, buddy, mate etc) and after a salutation

Long ago I didn't understand the idea of placing a comma before a name, such as: 'What are we doing here, John?'
It's why I tended to easily forget to add it. I still don't really understand why it is needed all the time, however I have come across a few instances where it would be confusing to leave it out. Therefore, I have realised that the comma is somewhat a necessity in these situations.

For example:
'That's a nice pen Dick.'
Be better if you did this:
'That's a nice Pen, Dick.'

I know, Dick, is not a name that is used often these days, but even if the name was Bob or Rod or Phil, it would still sound a little odd.

Check out this post by Rachel:
http://www.grammarerrors.com/punctuation/commas-in-direct-address/