You can never experience your own writing in the same way readers can. Writers know their own story, are often unaware of their usual or unusual foibles, and read what they want imagined, not what they put on the page. So they see the wood for the trees. Unless you write something and completely forget … Continue reading Something old is renewed
writing
Uses of enchantment
I have Bruno Bettelheim's book Uses of Enchantment, somewhere. Yet I'm less interested in Freudian readings of myth and fairy tales than other types of interpretation. But that's not the point of this. I was reading how selling is the art of story telling, (in a Medium piece here) but earlier I'd been looking for a … Continue reading Uses of enchantment
Pedalling underwater
Once again I made my slow path to that vale of tears, much like Dante described the way to Hell. I faced the contents of the spam folder. Forthwith I returned, emerging from my own dark night of the soul to present some of its contents. Tis the era of correct pronouns spammer: she and … Continue reading Pedalling underwater
A week in the life
This week I've been up and down and around town. Things I didn't get turned into something else. Other potentialities I'd written off have re-emerged in a more positive light. And that's just this week so far. Hence, this, a partial view of most of a week in the life of me. Check email repeatedly. … Continue reading A week in the life
From here to something more
To dedicate a life to the making of beautiful things is my thing. Often this has been difficult. But I'm still trying. Hence the previously mentioned University of Iowa MOOC, which I successfully completed. Yay. This course was useful for short story feedback and introducing authors I'd not read before. It was interesting seeing how people … Continue reading From here to something more
Another dose of inspo
From the vaults once more I return with yet more spam wisdom and affirmations... We begin with this below. Frankly, it is a bit mystifying but I'm glad someone can benefit from my writing where ever they are watching from and why ever they are reading. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate … Continue reading Another dose of inspo
Inspo’s where it’s delivered
Sometimes the will to continue with writing flags a bit. It might be that my big break, or even a little one, is around the next corner, or a decade away...but I can't bear to think on it. What I can do is search for inspiration and practical help. There are serious things to do, … Continue reading Inspo’s where it’s delivered
Schooled for life
You may have noticed media covering research about air pollution after a paper was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This study from China found air pollution increases the risks of dementia, and impairs cognition, affecting language and arithmetic test scores. Xi Chen, Yale School of Public Health: "Polluted air can … Continue reading Schooled for life
MOOC it for what it’s worth
For a moment MOOCs epitomised how 'extremely online' technology could transform education. But while Massive Open Online Courses still exist there's a chill in the air towards them due to their limitations. Big Time They aren't called Massive for nothing. Students enrolled in a MOOC can number in the thousands. The first MOOC I began … Continue reading MOOC it for what it’s worth
Any way the wind blows
Another day, another rejection. These are the days it never rains but it pours. There are a few journals I would like to be published in within Australia and yet again it's another one gone. There was a time yet another rejection in such a dire point in my life would have floored me. But I'm clear-eyed, … Continue reading Any way the wind blows
Writing Bec 