When does a bad sequel or prequel or spin-off ruin a franchise? Most of all how does it? Everyone can name a franchise that went all to hell after the first story. Did anyone *get* Highlander after ‘there can be only one’? Success breeds a vacuum. The thing fans want is MORE. But they’re a … Continue reading When sequels attack
Notes on Writing Related Stuff
A Year in the Making
So, been blogging for 12 months now. I'm not as prolific as some and seem to be a tiny fish in the blogging ocean but I'm still here and enjoying it. I've discovered a slight obsession with the behind the scenes statistics of it all, which would surprise certain of my highschool maths teachers no … Continue reading A Year in the Making
The long and short of it
2014 Update. Since blogging this in 2011 and writing my review of Liam Davison's Collected Stories a few years before that, I wish to acknowledge the passing of Davison and his wife on board Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in Ukraine. I, like many, am saddened by the loss of such a talented story teller. I am honoured … Continue reading The long and short of it
Writing? Tell ’em you’re dreamin’?
You know how other people's dreams are usually boring? I'll try not to be. But remember, you volunteered to read this. I don't often recall dreams. Pretty sure I undergo the usual REM and sleep cycles, so I know I dream. But the other night I dreamed and I remembered. It hasn't faded away yet … Continue reading Writing? Tell ’em you’re dreamin’?
Got Novel Ideas Part III
So I've bitten the bullet, jumped back on the horse and a whole bunch of other clichés and will be returning to formal study in March. Specifically a post-graduate creative writing course, perhaps with a touch of research near the end if I do well enough which will help me get that elusive novel(la) in me finished. … Continue reading Got Novel Ideas Part III
Letters help
This weekend Marieke Hardy will be holding a Women of Letters, event in the City of Literature that is Melbourne. It's a kind of lunch where writers will read their letters to the Best Present they Ever Received to get into the spirit of the season and also to raise funds for the animal rescue … Continue reading Letters help
Writer, Interrupted
So my head's been so full of stuff of late. I keep having ideas for a post or a tweet or a story and then, through fatigue or distraction or otherwise pre-occupiedness, not following them up and then forgetting them entirely. I really need to keep a log. In the middle of the night I … Continue reading Writer, Interrupted
Guiding Questions for Getting Your Righteous Anger On – or Not
SO someone said something terrible/stupid/hateful/wrong somewhere. And you saw/heard/watched it. It happens. And you're angry, upset and all fired up, ready to verbally or Tweeterly smack down. Or ready to compose a letter to the Local Newspaper Editor and send it via the Post Office (apparently this still happens? Not sure how. ) Before you … Continue reading Guiding Questions for Getting Your Righteous Anger On – or Not
Sad & Beautiful
Sad can equal Beautiful. I'm in a bit of a bleak patch. A bit blah. At first just because, and then because of a few events this week. But I take hope in the Rota Fortunae of Boethius (and Tony Wilson). I know it can't be all rolling in kittens and daisies sunshine when you … Continue reading Sad & Beautiful
Casting Off
About the traps these past few weeks Australian comedian Corinne Grant has been touting her book, Lessons in Letting Go. I've not read it, so this isn't a review. But I've got all inspired by her constant media appearances during this Aussie Spring to do a bit of a seasonal clean. My housemate has joked … Continue reading Casting Off
Writing Bec 