It is a bit strange to think that two little words in an advertisement from 1919 would spark the idea for a whole novel, but it did. I have a fondness for browsing small, local newspapers from the early twentieth century looking for evidence of women working and running businesses. I do this because it … Continue reading The cow that inspired my novel-in-progress (plus a rant about women’s history)
On not having a mind’s eye
If I ask you to picture a strawberry, or a chair, or a saucepan can you see those things in your mind's eye? About 15 years ago I realised I didn't see things in my head the way other people seem to. If I try to picture a strawberry I see nothing. A chair only … Continue reading On not having a mind’s eye
How to join a writing group
Join a writing group. This advice for writers is pretty universal. I've sat in so many audiences at author events when the question 'what advice would you give to emerging writers?' is asked. And I want to get up and walk out because I have heard it all before: Read Write Join a writing group … Continue reading How to join a writing group
Killing my darlings
I'd always thought the advice to 'kill your darlings' related to unnecessary fluff in a manuscript. Some say adverbs should never see the light of day, others want to stab into oblivion every second and subsequent adjective. It is all very violent. The saying comes from an Edwardian guy (Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch) who advocated that … Continue reading Killing my darlings
How a week away saved my novel (and me)
Last Saturday I pulled into my carport, weary after a five hour drive and keen to unpack the car, put on a load of washing and have a bath. But I was also totally inspired, felt a wonderful sense of achievement and was fired up for the next few months at least. I was arriving … Continue reading How a week away saved my novel (and me)
REVIEW: The Secret River by Kate Grenville
This review series will concentrate on the books I read specifically for my writing. These are the books I dip into to check writerly things (like tone, pace, dialogue, character and how long exactly an opening scene should be) or are reference books that I've found useful and return to again and again. The Secret … Continue reading REVIEW: The Secret River by Kate Grenville
Why I write historical fiction
Recently, while trawling Trove, I found the following advertisement in the classifieds: It is a perfect example of why I write historical fiction. I read this and all I see are the the people. The individuals and their stories. The way this ship would have been laden with so much hope and misery and desperation … Continue reading Why I write historical fiction
