The thing about resolutions for the new year is they're generally forgotten by mid January. It's why, traditionally, I never used to bother. You can't break a promise you don't make. But lo, I've reached mid January and I'm about to tick one of my resolutions off the list. I'm heading to a writing workshop. It's … Continue reading Writing year steps up into new a gear
Exhibition Review: feeling the disturbance
If Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei's NGV exhibition is a little 'art anyone could do' (from cat pics to soup cans) then Lurid Beauty, an exhibition of Australian Surrealism, is art anyone can feel. Unlike Warhol and Ai Weiwei, little of it is repetitive, except for the feelings the works inspire. The works are weird, visceral, … Continue reading Exhibition Review: feeling the disturbance
Exhibition Review: meme themes
The Ai Weiwei Andy Warhol exhibition is on at the National Gallery of Victoria - International in Melbourne. I went in the knowledge that while I understand the importance of Warhol, I'm fairly unmoved by his work. I am left as flat as his famous multicoloured prints. It's all too familiar. Pop art too popular, … Continue reading Exhibition Review: meme themes
Writing Resolutions 2016
My writing resolutions kinda worked for 2015, so what the hey, the below will do for this next 12 months. Given that writing just involves me, but publication involves a myriad of other factors and people, I can only work on what I can personally control. And I can only control me. Well I say control. … Continue reading Writing Resolutions 2016
Seeing art and negotiating space
Went to see the Catherine the Great Hermitage Winter Masterpiece exhibition at The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) ages ago. At first I was under-whelmed because it was two rooms of diagrams and dishes, plus an imposing portrait of Catherine. This was followed by a video tour of the Hermitage, which was glorious, except for … Continue reading Seeing art and negotiating space
Doctor Who: big night out
Doctor Who 2015 Christmas Special - beware: spoilers, sweetie. He's right, The Doctor hasn't laughed for a long time. Hopes have been dashed, with companions lost. Plus, he's continually confronted by the every day mortality of those he loves or just encounters, until all he's left with is a time machine trying to cheer him up. … Continue reading Doctor Who: big night out
Late to the Party: a review of BOTFA-EE
The extended edition of Battle of the Five Armies came out during NaNoWriMo, so I delayed watching it, so I could give it the consideration it deserved. Probably by now you will have made up your own minds and for mine, I do find myself agreeing with YouTube comments. And I'm writing this in lieu … Continue reading Late to the Party: a review of BOTFA-EE
Authors Answer 59 – Characters of the Dark Side
Characters You Hate I've attempted to create one character that is terrifying and somehow evil incarnate. It's a horror SF being I won't describe here, but as unredeemable as its actions are, it is an 'it'. There's even something I made beautiful about it. So, I can't hate it, even as I wrote how its … Continue reading Authors Answer 59 – Characters of the Dark Side
2015 Writing Resolution Review
Thought it was timely to revisit my resolutions from the end of last year, as I swelter in the squelchy humidity of a mid December Melbourne. This is before I even attempt to make new resolutions. It's too hot for that. So, the first one: I will have moved heaven and earth to get my … Continue reading 2015 Writing Resolution Review
A review awakens
Fans will see Star Wars: The Force Awakens without my say so, and so will anyone else vaguely familiar with the franchise. But these are my thoughts anyway. It was respectful of the source material, it was an homage to what went before, with plenty of deliberate shout outs. The plot, the pacing, the dialogue … Continue reading A review awakens
Writing Bec 