Sometimes when you learn a lesson, it really takes. Sometimes a lesson becomes a code or a creed to live by or write by and thus become a part of you. I've had a lot of writing advisors, some were actual teachers, and lecturers, and others were found via books or online or just in … Continue reading Examining writing rules
writing
Skirting the edges
Despite living in the 'city on the bay' I haven't been to any sort of beach for about eight years. Recently though, I had the opportunity to spend a long weekend at Mornington Peninsular. Apart from one day trip to Sorrento, I hadn't visited the area before. I found it had its own special allure, … Continue reading Skirting the edges
Lessons from rejection
Where I have the most experience as a creative writer is in the submission rejection process. No, no need to get all sympathetic and tut tut. It's true and it maybe true for a while yet, for a myriad of reasons. On the bright side it indicates I'm still sending stuff out there. And that's … Continue reading Lessons from rejection
Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain
When I have doubts about what I'm doing, which can happen, say after a bad submission rejection (there are good and bad ones) I stand alone on the shore of the wide world, like Keats once did, and think about chucking it in, in much the same way he didn't. Maybe I could get an easier … Continue reading Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain
It’s all in the name
It's no secret writers make up names; for their characters, for their stories and for themselves. Females have taken to disguising their authorship since at least Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell started getting their poetry published. The other day a writer revealed she didn't (really) read books by female writers and disguised her name as … Continue reading It’s all in the name
Writing words is a numbers game
I've mentioned previously that I keep a database of publications and my writing, to show me when and where I've sent what stories (and the odd poem) and how long I've waited to hear back (sometimes forever). Apart from occasional lapses in data entry (almost) everything I've sent out over the past five years is there. … Continue reading Writing words is a numbers game
The 13 and a third times advice amazingly recommended writing like Buzzfeed!
The internet is full of stuff. Kitten videos, for instance and memes. And things not including kitten videos (?). And reams of advice for writers sometimes also including kitten videos. Frankly, I'm tired of being advised by sometimes well-meaning, but ultimately advertising driven content churners presenting lists of ways to make my blog sound like Buzzfeed. … Continue reading The 13 and a third times advice amazingly recommended writing like Buzzfeed!
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.
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
Friends like these
I've been re-watching Sherlock because what the hey and also summer programming in Australia partly consists of repeating Sherlock and little else new or entertaining. Any who, I realised this program was misnamed. Sure it features the rude, scarfed, and cheekboned Holmes with and without the 'ear hat' but the main thing it is not … Continue reading Friends like these
Writing Bec 