I don't have the deep back ground knowledge and appreciation of the mythos behind the current Marvel and DC films. I didn't grow up with the comics or cartoons, except perhaps the occasional Superman film or Batman outing and before that Wonder Woman. The only comics I remember reading were the Asterix editions in the school library. But I'm not … Continue reading Dead right & so wrong
Writing
Little victory
I want to demonstrate why, despite the many rejections and deafening silence at times, I will I keep writing and keep sending pieces out. This is the story of a short story. There was a thing, a scrap of an idea pullulating away in its own stew in a quiet corner of a sprawling mess … Continue reading Little victory
Lessons from novels: Umberto Eco
Vale author and academic Umberto Eco, thank you for your many 'little scraps of wisdom'. I can remember exactly when I first saw Name of the Rose, but I do remember when I first read it. It was as part of the recommended reading for my undergraduate degree and it was over the summer break. After … Continue reading Lessons from novels: Umberto Eco
Story decision making
It's a step and it feels like one, when launching a story into the maw of potential publishers. It used to be an actual trip to the post office. Now, not so much. What it entails is a dash to a deadline, other times a carefully considered effort to fit a piece to the journal where you … Continue reading Story decision making
Collected work – in progress
I'm in the midst of editing and putting together some of my short stories. My novella is in competition stasis and while I thought I had time to enter it in a slightly later competition for novellas I was wrong. So, because of submission overlap and the fact this second competition is accepting novellas but … Continue reading Collected work – in progress
Writing year steps up into new a gear
The thing about resolutions for the new year is they're generally forgotten by mid January. It's why, traditionally, I never used to bother. You can't break a promise you don't make. But lo, I've reached mid January and I'm about to tick one of my resolutions off the list. I'm heading to a writing workshop. It's … Continue reading Writing year steps up into new a gear
Writing Resolutions 2016
My writing resolutions kinda worked for 2015, so what the hey, the below will do for this next 12 months. Given that writing just involves me, but publication involves a myriad of other factors and people, I can only work on what I can personally control. And I can only control me. Well I say control. … Continue reading Writing Resolutions 2016
Seeing art and negotiating space
Went to see the Catherine the Great Hermitage Winter Masterpiece exhibition at The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) ages ago. At first I was under-whelmed because it was two rooms of diagrams and dishes, plus an imposing portrait of Catherine. This was followed by a video tour of the Hermitage, which was glorious, except for … Continue reading Seeing art and negotiating space
Doctor Who: big night out
Doctor Who 2015 Christmas Special - beware: spoilers, sweetie. He's right, The Doctor hasn't laughed for a long time. Hopes have been dashed, with companions lost. Plus, he's continually confronted by the every day mortality of those he loves or just encounters, until all he's left with is a time machine trying to cheer him up. … Continue reading Doctor Who: big night out
Late to the Party: a review of BOTFA-EE
The extended edition of Battle of the Five Armies came out during NaNoWriMo, so I delayed watching it, so I could give it the consideration it deserved. Probably by now you will have made up your own minds and for mine, I do find myself agreeing with YouTube comments. And I'm writing this in lieu … Continue reading Late to the Party: a review of BOTFA-EE
Writing Bec 