Some of the appeal of Doctor Who is that a single episode can unfold in unexpected directions. A straight Vikings vs Aliens episode was made more frustrating and then heart-felt by its twists. I know it's a family show, and I know it's story, not history, but if programs are going to have a play … Continue reading Doctor Who: Hybrid History
Stories
How a story is a horse, of course
Writing has been hard work. I've had trouble getting from the end of the middle of one story, to its conclusion, which I've worked out. And, with my novella, I've begun fixing everything I've realised is wrong with it, but it takes a while to warm up. I'm not feeling the mojo, in other words, … Continue reading How a story is a horse, of course
Add a lil colour with a Tincture
Looking for something to read? Of course you are. Try issue 10 of Tincture Journal. Not least because it contains a story by me, but because it'll add colour to your day and take you places you've never been. Poetry, fiction and creative-non fiction: get on it people.
Review: Upon discovering The Fall (2006)
Falling in love again Big screen cinema is for spectacle. For Avenging super heroes and three-dimensional stuff being thrown at you by two-dimensional characters. It's fun and makes a lot of money and is all ok by me. Then there are films that are crafted in dedication to a singular vision, using every cinema reference. … Continue reading Review: Upon discovering The Fall (2006)
Betting the farm
In farming, there are certain paddocks you leave fallow. It is said crop rotation means no one area is ever completely exhausted of nutrients. I'm thinking of this space as one which I've left fallow while I recover. It's not like I haven't been busy though. There has been art and writing and work and … Continue reading Betting the farm
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
Be the Hero?
The new Hobbit trailer is out, partly because of this, and because of The Hobbit fan competition, and Halloween and 'cons' I've been thinking about the fan phenomenon. As The Doctor explained to Charles Dickens it’s about fanaticism. I was going to say such devotion is usually motivated out of a deep appreciation or love, … Continue reading Be the Hero?
Notational Interludes
After my post about art I could write about how I'm also a frustrated musician, inspired by my mother, who was the epitome of a folksy mcfolk musician, playing, as she did sporadically, the piano accordion, recorder, xylophone and glockenspiel, mostly by ear. On the other side of my family my knitting Nan focused her powers on … Continue reading Notational Interludes
Answering borrowed questions (about writing)
I'm knee-deep in thesis-land at the moment, which explains fewer posts of late. However I had some time for this. The other day I was inspired by Anna Spargo-Ryan’s blog and her Q and A about writing. She has a way with words. But the questions she answered got me thinking. So it meant I … Continue reading Answering borrowed questions (about writing)
Waiting for the change
Act One. There are some afternoons, interminably long summer ones, where the lower horizon shows Melbourne's distant hills in a smudged, faded-denim blue, and just above that there forms a band of frayed brown or burnt sienna. On such days people are cranky and suspicious. Lawns crunch and the sun glares down and down so everything is … Continue reading Waiting for the change