Just before it closes I finally got around to seeing Jan Sensbergs' exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria (Fed Square). His lines and perspectives appealed to me and his vision of cities and interior spaces are not bleak exactly, but not happy. I feel like he and William Blake could agree on the damaging modern … Continue reading Sensbergs & Observability
More please
In writing, as in physics, once things begin to happen, they keep happening. I've just had another story accepted and it'll be out next month. It will be the second published from my once upon a time ex-almost collection, so at least some of it was on the right track. A lot of time is spent … Continue reading More please
When losing is winning
Earlier this year I entered a collection of my short stories into a competition. I reflected at the time that it was a handy thing to do, preparing a complete manuscript, because it helped polish them up so they felt fresher. In addition, arranging them together enabled me to see their flaws and similarities, as well as … Continue reading When losing is winning
Over a barrel
Ideas Kaboom! The idea of creative writing is plastic. It's a vast global business, it's a singular remote activity, it's digital and ancient, it's free and expensive, it's a past time and a career, it's a legacy and aspiration, you can study it, you don't need to, it takes myriad forms, it's individual and there … Continue reading Over a barrel
Admiration x 3
I'm not into certain kinds of inspiration. I'm not on Pintrest for the words across artist landscapes or landscaped bodies encouraging me to be all I can be. I'm not a Just Do It person. In fact if you instruct me to Just Do It, I won't. Probably. I'm contrary and often, resistant. Sometimes I'm … Continue reading Admiration x 3
Sometimes, a flurry
While waiting to hear back from editors and opportunities, I've been submitting stories again. Often writing works like that. A lot of nothing but waiting, or a lot of nothing but editing, or a lot of waiting while submitting. There's even a lot of writing, in the appropriate moments. It's cyclical. So, I'm at that point where I've … Continue reading Sometimes, a flurry
Entertaining traumas
Some stories remain big in my memory, because of the effect they had on me when I was young. I've written about the first story I ever read, The Little Match Girl, and yes, I'll never forget it. But there were others. I had recurring nightmares after seeing Lost in the Desert, also known as … Continue reading Entertaining traumas
Finding out what we lost
Humans are very good at destroying things. Just look at the stark bones of the Great Barrier Reef. Bleached, it could end up being the largest thing visible from space that was once alive. Yet, it's almost too large to comprehend, which is ironic, given it is made of microbes. Our human brains don't really … Continue reading Finding out what we lost
Heroes here & there
Somewhere else in super hero films. Because the world is not America. Batman vs Superman, is a battle between Metropolis and Gotham. It's like a haughty hipster New York vs a brooding, damaged Jersey, kinda. Until the main characters realise they're on the same side, it's like Great Gatsby, but with capes and more money. But the real somewhere … Continue reading Heroes here & there
Here Be A Story
Some days it's me and the pixels, typing things and making stuff up. On some rare days, it's me celebrating some good news. Today is that day. Yes, indeed, it's that time again everybody, when I get an electronic communiqué to inform me a lil thing I wrote has found its home in the world and it's … Continue reading Here Be A Story
Writing Bec 