I've been thinking about this and it's more complex than we realise. Every setting in a 'real' place has its own culture. I mean local customs and language idioms and expectations for behaviour and that's even within one country or larger area. Then if we write historical fiction of any kind, the past is also … Continue reading Authors Answer 47 – Portraying Cultures in Fiction
Stuff I Like
Filled with references to stuff I like in music, film, tv, reading, writing, online etc.
Doctor Who: Prologue-ic
The Doctor is almost here. It's been an epic wait. And for that we get a prologue. I have all the thoughts and no thoughts about this development. As a writer, I suspect prologues are for the artsy bits authors believe are too well written to throw out when editors demonstrate they're not needed for … Continue reading Doctor Who: Prologue-ic
A room right with WriteSpace
Part One WriteSpace: it's everything I had imagined a day devoted to writing to be. There were desks, comfy enough chairs, food and beverages, natural light, power, a thoughtful selection of writing resources for inspiration, and much kind service from our host. Quiet tapping on laptops is comforting. We happy few are getting work done, … Continue reading A room right with WriteSpace
Changing spaces
I'm going to a writing retreat. I won a place, which is nice, and I'm looking forward to it. Not sure of what to expect, or what I'll gain from it, but I hope something a bit writing related. It shouldn't matter where we write, but it sometimes it might. Sometimes, the household is full of … Continue reading Changing spaces
Eeekphrasis
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
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
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 