I can remember many times in my life in which I was incredibly frustrated or achingly sad or wretchedly waiting for something to finish or to start. I don't remember many times of quiet satisfaction or contentedness, although I know I have had these moments, but they are often unremembered because they lack, well, drama … Continue reading How I’m feeling right now
37 895 words later…
I have some news. Since my post about first drafting, I've written 37 895 words. That took me to a total of 57 319 words for the draft. And all the way to THE END. Yes, I have finished. Finished, finished, finished. I have written a complete first draft. Every scene I believe should be … Continue reading 37 895 words later…
Where I write
I am writing, believe me, but I'm not ready to tell you about that yet. Instead, I finally got my new writing area together so I thought I'd show that off. I LOVE it. I love it any time of the day but it is especially lovely during a spring afternoon (like today) when I'm … Continue reading Where I write
On first drafting…again
I was at Varuna The Writer's House for a week and could not bring my thoughts together enough to write a blog post last weekend, and besides, was busy writing other words. The trip was to attend a masterclass. I paid to stay there and I took a week's leave without pay. With flights, trains, … Continue reading On first drafting…again
DOUBLE REVIEW: 1984 & Atonement
It might seem that putting these two novels together is kinda random but I was assigned both to read in preparation for the masterclass I'm about to do at Varuna so I read them one after the other. I have read 1984 before but a long, long time ago - perhaps even at high school. … Continue reading DOUBLE REVIEW: 1984 & Atonement
Reading for writing: McCarthy
I love Cormac McCarthy. I haven't read all his books yet because it takes me so damn long to read them because I have to stop very often stop and only breathe in the words he is using and the way he is writing and it is too beautiful to read on. Of course he … Continue reading Reading for writing: McCarthy
Calming my distracted mind
I have been struggling to read. There, I said it. Admitted the thing that, for me, is pretty embarrassing. I don't just mean I don't have time, I mean can't focus on words long enough, can't concentrate, can't enjoy... For a few years now, I blamed tiredness. I'm an English and literature teacher so I … Continue reading Calming my distracted mind
When the Creative Mind Goes Rogue
Last week I finalised (and PDF-ed, I always feel like that is completely final) the opening of my work-in-progress/manuscript/obsession so I can send it to a few different places for perusal by gate-keeper-type people. It was a big effort to get that done and I had some lovely help along the way but it was … Continue reading When the Creative Mind Goes Rogue
Motto for the season
I've realised my writing life works in seasons. They are long, rambling seasons that are only evident when they have begun and I am in it enough to recognise what is happening, and after they've ended. They are loosely a year or two long but they can be longer. The no-writing season went for about … Continue reading Motto for the season
Buying things for my characters
I will admit to loving antiques and vintage things generally but when I'm writing about a particular character, I have an urge to find items they may have (or I could make them) use or own. When I started writing my first abandoned novel, it was set in the 1880s and I bought this duo … Continue reading Buying things for my characters
