At best, addressing the other jobs a writer is required to do took up an occasional discussion in the writing courses I have completed. I don't mean day jobs either. I mean the promotion, blogs, virtual or real reader engagement and blurbs that take up so much time. Of course bios are ubiquitous and get … Continue reading Navigating the forest of writing tasks
NaNoWriMo
Mid Year Writing Stock Take
In Australia the end of June marks the end of the financial year. Retailers hold sales, and everyone works out if they need to make more deductions ahead of preparing tax returns. Then it is July and the pace slows a bit amid winter's chill, except for accountants. For me, it's time to take stock … Continue reading Mid Year Writing Stock Take
Filling the void
Few things are as intimidating as a blank page. It's a truism that, well, holds true, still. At least for me. I worked out, some-when, that fixing this is mostly about momentum. My ancient, rickety high school knowledge of physics and the difficulty of starting anything has helped me reach this realisation. But once started, sometimes … Continue reading Filling the void
Stick together and defend
Seldom do Aussie pub rock anthems get recognition for their assistance in solving writing dilemmas, but this changes here. By the way that's not a sentence I'd ever thought I'd have to come up with, but there you go, writing is strange like that. We know that ideas come from anywhere. Like today, when I was driving … Continue reading Stick together and defend
Writing Workshop Review: Taming the Beast
It's been an out of the ordinary couple of days for me. On Friday I attended the Summer School Wheeler Centre writer's workshop Taming the Beast with Sonia Orchard, while this afternoon featured another instalment of me at the dentist. Turns out both had things in common: bit of probing, and fixes for things. How to clarify … Continue reading Writing Workshop Review: Taming the Beast
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
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
2015 Writing Resolution Review
Thought it was timely to revisit my resolutions from the end of last year, as I swelter in the squelchy humidity of a mid December Melbourne. This is before I even attempt to make new resolutions. It's too hot for that. So, the first one: I will have moved heaven and earth to get my … Continue reading 2015 Writing Resolution Review
Final down low on NaNoWriMo
It's done. It's over. I proved I could do it. This ridiculous deadline artificially cultivated online is complete, and for my part I can say I am an official National November Novel Writing Month winner. O frabjous day! Callooh etc. I would have celebrated earlier, except it's too all much. Difficult, un-fun at times, a bit … Continue reading Final down low on NaNoWriMo
Writing Bec 