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
Stuff I Like
Filled with references to stuff I like in music, film, tv, reading, writing, online etc.
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
Yule be thinking it’s that time of year
Yes, it's getting towards that special time . For some of the world. When Magic Santa gives us stuff as an annual, seasonal ritual initiation into Consumer Society. Having said that, I can't help being a fan. Real carols, pudding and holly...even the fake spray on snow some shops don't clean off their windows until … Continue reading Yule be thinking it’s that time of year
The Big F, T & L
The following is an essay I wrote a few years ago. Not even sure for what. Anyhoo it's been sitting gathering dust in the hard drive so I thought I would let it have some freedom. As a writer and even as a uni student I am/was primarily interested in myth and folktale - the … Continue reading The Big F, T & L
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
My B Movie Hero
Dennis Quaid. There I've said it. Hero of the straight-to-DVD flick. No actor works harder not to make it to the Big Box Office. And I'm not knocking him. Every performance is solid and he makes good with what he's given. I find most of his films worthy and interesting, sometimes even exciting, but I … Continue reading My B Movie Hero
Burton in TV Land
Visited the Tim Burton retrospective/art exhibition at ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) in Melbourne t'other day. I like his films. But more importantly I like the look of his films, which turns out, do truly reflect the look of his art. For someone who trained at Disney, he's not very Disneybland. He has … Continue reading Burton in TV Land
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
Writing Bec 