This week a response to a video on reading. Kids with books are good, and I'm a big fan of books and always have been. I want to make that clear. Kate Forsyth is an interesting writer and she has much of value to say about writing practice but a recent video has put me … Continue reading Stories/Literacy
Reading
The Man From Snowy River does not come from Detroit
In response to Southerly: While I haven't written about a suburb in Sydney, I do commend this article from Southerly's blog. Specificity in writing is crucial. Part of the reason I set my fictions in certain real or historical places is because I'm somehow exploring what they mean to me. And if they mean something to me, … Continue reading The Man From Snowy River does not come from Detroit
Doctor Who: Doctor Memorius
There was banter, gallows humour, fight scenes, there was highway robbery, and, there was a fire-breathing alien lion. All this was more than enough to satisfy from The Woman Who Lived, but it wasn't even the main course. The main course was the thread of conversation between The Doctor and The Knightmare/Ashildir/Lady Me. For once, Clara's … Continue reading Doctor Who: Doctor Memorius
Equivocating, writing and a review of The Heretics
I've just finished Will Storr's The Heretics: Adventures with the Enemies of Science. Mainly because the medication and the agony of my swollen face with sinusitis won't let me sleep, but that's a digression. I think the book is an exploration of how humans come by opinions and beliefs using contrasted interviews of climate denialists and scientists, creationists … Continue reading Equivocating, writing and a review of The Heretics
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
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
Review: Lincoln + myth making
I've had a fascination with myth and myth making and recently watching Lincoln (2012) directed by Steven Spielberg, got me thinking about it again. If the United States has succeeded at one thing, it has succeeded in the mythologisation of its history, even to the point where those myths are exported to the rest of … Continue reading Review: Lincoln + myth making
Your Premises are Wrong Mr Pegg
This is a response to the i09 article that looks at Simon Pegg's recent comments about science fiction and movies. Here's what he said: Before Star Wars, the films that were box-office hits were The Godfather, Taxi Driver, Bonnie And Clyde and The French Connection – gritty, amoral art movies. Then suddenly the onus switched … Continue reading Your Premises are Wrong Mr Pegg
Investigating and some nonsense about writing
One of my favourite books is Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco. No. Don't roll your eyes. I geddit. I have to let you know I have a deep and abiding love of The Wind in the Willows and reveal that I did waste a few teen hours in the alien realm of Sweet Valley High and many … Continue reading Investigating and some nonsense about writing
Big Bad Truth Tellers
Once upon a time, the villain of the piece was the King of Lies, who would lead the main character astray, away from the truth and light and all good things. Sounds epic, biblical even, doesn't it? Thing is, this has changed. The King of Lies has lost his crown and I'm not sure when exactly. Perhaps … Continue reading Big Bad Truth Tellers
Writing Bec 