2019 is well and truly settled in now and I've taken some time to think about what I might want for this year. Many people in my parts of the internet decide on a word for their year and/or the 19 things they'll do in 2019. I'll admit I had a go at both of … Continue reading Looking forward
Writing
2018 Year in Review
Okay. At the beginning of 2018 my big goals were: lose weight/get healthy write a book get a job with less teaching Even though I didn't write them down anywhere, I know these were my goals because EVERY year these are ALWAYS my goals. So, how did I go? Let's just say: I smashed it. … Continue reading 2018 Year in Review
How I’m feeling right now
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
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
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
Reading for writing: new blog post series
In my post about how to join a writing group I said I was passionate about the advice to writers to read. And I am. Reading is essential to writing (and to life, I'd argue) because it tells us both what to do and what not to do as writers (and as humans). Reading for … Continue reading Reading for writing: new blog post series
Finding time and the will to write
This week I met a deadline I made for myself: to send my first three chapters to some wonderful readers who have offered to give feedback. This deadline allows me plenty of time to wait for feedback then edit again before I need to send the chapters off to the Richell Prize (eeek!) Finding the … Continue reading Finding time and the will to write
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
