I confess to being the kind of reader who will stop and never return to a novel if it's not to my taste or standards. I couldn't even really begin Cloud Atlas. Apart from a missing page, I just didn't get it and it didn't draw me in. On the other hand, I did go … Continue reading Rereading’s good medicine
Umberto Eco
Promethean Avengers
"To survive, you must tell stories." - The Island of the Day Before How can I attempt to ruin examine a 10-year-old film franchise? By adding a pinch of psychology, a dose of myth making, and then admixing a teaspoon of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. More importantly, by using the works of Umberto Eco to prove my … Continue reading Promethean Avengers
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
Investigating and some nonsense about writing
One of my favourite books is Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco. No. Don't roll your eyes. I geddit. I have to let you know I have a deep and abiding love of The Wind in the Willows and reveal that I did waste a few teen hours in the alien realm of Sweet Valley High and many … Continue reading Investigating and some nonsense about writing
Ten-ish books that stayed with me…
Yet another list thing is going around and I'll do my bit by listing 10-ish books that have stayed with me in some way, but only because I should be thesising or something. So here goes: 1) Little Match Girl. First story I ever read by myself. It was in the school library. 2) Wind … Continue reading Ten-ish books that stayed with me…
In which therein you will encounter a writing update, talk of historical novels and study
One year of MA down. Summer semester over and a new one just begun, to quote from the classics. It was more gruelling than expected. Perhaps because summer kinda felt like it should have been holiday time and I was slaving over discussion threads and readings and deadlines (as well as some work and life). But it … Continue reading In which therein you will encounter a writing update, talk of historical novels and study
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 