It's easy for me to review stuff. I like it, and I think I bring something to each work, or play or film or whatever. However, it's not the only thing I'm on about, or that this site was meant to be about. It's time to go back to first principles. Instead of reviewing works, I'm … Continue reading Eeekphrasis
Examining writing rules
Sometimes when you learn a lesson, it really takes. Sometimes a lesson becomes a code or a creed to live by or write by and thus become a part of you. I've had a lot of writing advisors, some were actual teachers, and lecturers, and others were found via books or online or just in … Continue reading Examining writing rules
Review: Pipe Dream’s Dirt Bike Magic
There are some non-conventional film makers producing remarkably shot and better plotted films than three-quarters of Hollywood right now. Echoing the colour and spectacle of Luc Besson's atmospheric The Big Blue, coupled with 60s surf movies, while also recalling some of the tension and exuberance of the 1993 classic Airborne, but without the flannelette, 90s … Continue reading Review: Pipe Dream’s Dirt Bike Magic
Skirting the edges
Despite living in the 'city on the bay' I haven't been to any sort of beach for about eight years. Recently though, I had the opportunity to spend a long weekend at Mornington Peninsular. Apart from one day trip to Sorrento, I hadn't visited the area before. I found it had its own special allure, … Continue reading Skirting the edges
One book counts
Author Tanith Lee passed away earlier this year. It was only then that I realised what an amazing catalogue of work she produced. I have said elsewhere that I still have a copy of her Castle of Dark. It left a profound impression in my young mind when I found it. It was lyrical and … Continue reading One book counts
Lessons from rejection
Where I have the most experience as a creative writer is in the submission rejection process. No, no need to get all sympathetic and tut tut. It's true and it maybe true for a while yet, for a myriad of reasons. On the bright side it indicates I'm still sending stuff out there. And that's … Continue reading Lessons from rejection
Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain
When I have doubts about what I'm doing, which can happen, say after a bad submission rejection (there are good and bad ones) I stand alone on the shore of the wide world, like Keats once did, and think about chucking it in, in much the same way he didn't. Maybe I could get an easier … Continue reading Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain
It’s all in the name
It's no secret writers make up names; for their characters, for their stories and for themselves. Females have taken to disguising their authorship since at least Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell started getting their poetry published. The other day a writer revealed she didn't (really) read books by female writers and disguised her name as … Continue reading It’s all in the name
Writing words is a numbers game
I've mentioned previously that I keep a database of publications and my writing, to show me when and where I've sent what stories (and the odd poem) and how long I've waited to hear back (sometimes forever). Apart from occasional lapses in data entry (almost) everything I've sent out over the past five years is there. … Continue reading Writing words is a numbers game
Holding Patterns
Everything ebbs and flows. Interests wax and wane. Seasons change. Things are shaken up and settle down again for each of us in our brittle, safe, enclosed snow dome worlds. While I wasn't blogging for a while earlier this year, I poured my spare time and energy into drawing. It was a way to not think about … Continue reading Holding Patterns
Writing Bec 