So, previously, I looked at writing skills. But what resources do I need? Puter. Check. Pens, pencils, notepads, post-its and highlighters. Check. Desk and chair. Check. An Office. A room of my own. It has all my books and papers in it and a view of the garden. It is reasonably well-lit and in the … Continue reading Got Novel Ideas Part II
Notes on Writing Related Stuff
Got Novel, will write?
I’ve been writing for a while now, mainly short stories and the occasional poem (which is like an occasional table, but less functional and less likely to be a tripping hazard). I've studied writing, edited writing, listened to writers, most recently at Aussie Con4, reviewed texts etc ad lib and so forth. Also I’ve been … Continue reading Got Novel, will write?
We Come in Peace: a defence of SF
Aussie Con4 got me thinking and inspired and thinking. The people who read SF (science fiction or speculative fiction) are the people who read it, but the people who don't, don't understand. Those who tuck into crime dramas look askance at fantasy dabblers, romance devotees dread science fiction aficionados and literature browsers snub all genre … Continue reading We Come in Peace: a defence of SF
You Got Rhythm?
Christopher Hitchens once made a point about fiction writing and music. He said all the fiction writers he knew had music in their lives and realised early on he was not that kind of music appreciator, and therefore not that kind of writer. Plenty of writers work with music, are inspired by music and even … Continue reading You Got Rhythm?
Wish me Joss
Melbourne, City of Literature, is heading into official writerly season, with the Melbourne Writers Festival and this year, for those with an interest/obsession in all things science-fictiony and popcultury Aussie Con 4 . Appearing for MWF (but perhaps he could be forced to loiter for AC4?) is Joss Whedon. Everyone familiar with his work is … Continue reading Wish me Joss
Shades of Inspiration
I recently discovered the Shades of Crimson blog. And found Inspiration. The nine word challenge resonated and I was delighted to be published over there. Go Look. And I needed it. Writing is lonely and often difficult, but being published warms the cockles. It's all too easy to forget the Joy. The Joy. In creating, … Continue reading Shades of Inspiration
The Nostalgia Machine – Like
The internet is a vasty, complex, collective nostalgia space. Huge databases (imdb) and sharing sites (YouTube) allow us to rediscover all those things we loved, loathed and liked Back In The Day: Dragon, SuperTed, the theme song from the Tomorrow People, The Take Aways, Tab! We can also keep up to date with those things, … Continue reading The Nostalgia Machine – Like
Notes on The Writer’s Tale: The Final Chapter
Am reading The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter and oh, the deliciousness of being inside such a conversation. It is the newer, updated version, with 300 extra pages. Written over a couple of years the book consists of email and text message correspondence between Russell T Davies, head writer (or for the US readers showrunner) … Continue reading Notes on The Writer’s Tale: The Final Chapter
Writing Bec 