Shortcuts & slogans This Doctor Who episode, Last Christmas wore many of its influences overtly. Within a few minutes they could be identified as a formula: Alien + Inception + Christmas X 2 = Doctor Who. It's fine I guess. We can all rest and consider that we 'get' the episode. Any dream within a dream … Continue reading Doctor Who: Last Christmas Analysis
Writing
Inner promptings vs external stimuli
I went interstate for a bit. There was scenery to look at and memories and feelings. I was inspired. I was going to write about it. But I don't think I will. I may write it or express it somehow, perhaps in some story, perhaps not. But about it seems to corrupt it, or exhaust its … Continue reading Inner promptings vs external stimuli
Writing adventures so far
To those who have stuck by me thank you for reading. To new visitors, thanks for dropping by and know that writing (whether it is reviewing episodes of Doctor Who here or writing stories) is something I pursue because I must, even if it is shoved into the spare hours I have between everything else. … Continue reading Writing adventures so far
Art of Inspiration
Inspiration for writing comes from everywhere. For me, sometimes it's found in art. It can be through book illustration, or a visit to a gallery or a library (so much art at libraries), or using my own photographs. It can be through Pintrest (where many hours can be whiled away), or thumbing through art books. It … Continue reading Art of Inspiration
More Story Anyone? Looking forward to the end of The Hobbit
While some bits of the world are enjoying the opportunity to see the Battle of the Five Armies in the last of The Hobbit franchise, I'm waiting (like many others) for its release in Australia. Which is Boxing Day. Soooo far away. That means Doctor Who Christmas Special and BotFA in the same 24 hours. Phew. Anyway, … Continue reading More Story Anyone? Looking forward to the end of The Hobbit
Writing like a tree
The news, as it is wont to do these days, came via Twitter first, and then I found it in the mail. A poster. One of my stories for If: Books Open Changes was used for a Story Tree poster and it arrived the other day. It's the first time some of my writing has … Continue reading Writing like a tree
Oops I drew it again
I just attended my second Zentangle class at Abbotsford Convent with Beverley, who is gently encouraging and wonderfully welcoming. The time magically disappears in what is the perfect place for lessons like this. On the edge of the city and not so far from the free way, it is at once busy and peaceful. While we were … Continue reading Oops I drew it again
Genre-trification
This year I graduated with an MA in Writing and Literature. Throughout, the emphasis in the writing components was upon 'literature'. We could only use aspects of genre or sneak them sideways into our short stories or essays. However, I'm over artificially constructed barriers. Surely there is nothing unliterary with the works of China Mieville or Ursula Le … Continue reading Genre-trification
Review: The Graveyard Book
The care of the living for the dead and the dead for the living It's a pretty grand theme and is nothing less than one of the notions behind Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book. I finished it recently. I think I like both this and Coraline better than American Gods, all three of which are … Continue reading Review: The Graveyard Book
Optical delusions
A few weeks ago I posted about art. Admitting I could only see what I couldn't get 'right,' I felt, for a long time, art was something I let down, due some mysterious defect. This attitude limits not only what I think I can do, but what I attempt. Basically, if I don't try, then … Continue reading Optical delusions
Writing Bec 