There’s a little excel spreadsheet on my computer, which I refer to as my hall of fame and shame. It’s where I keep track of the pieces I’ve submitted to competitions or literary journals. I write the name of the story, when it was submitted, and in the third column I record the outcome. It […]
On Writing: Why Rejection IS Personal Read More »
I nearly didn’t read this book. When I heard about the Nabokovian inspiration for it, I was immediately daunted. Confession: I have not read Nabokov. I understand his writing is sublime, and that may be the problem. I’m intimidated. Therefore, when I heard that Gail Jones’ A Guide to Berlin was named after one of
On mean reviews, and ‘A Guide to Berlin,’ by Gail Jones Read More »
You know how the Chinese celebrate the lunar New Year? Well, I have a Writing New Year – and I’m celebrating it today! Why this actual day, you ask? Pretty simple. Today is the first day in nearly two months where I’ve had more than one hour of peace and quiet. Yes, the kids have
Happy Writing New Year! Read More »
Domestic noir. It’s great, right? All those twists and turns, secrets, and multi-layered plots and characters. No wonder it’s huge. So, it’s a great thrill to welcome Sara Foster to the blog today – Australia’s (via the UK) own Queen of domestic noir. Her new book – All That is Lost Between Us – is a
Meet Sara Foster, Author of ‘All That is Lost Between Us’ Read More »
Is there a more complex creature than a young girl? Desperate to fit in, yet also stand out (only in the right way, of course). Too cool to hold hands with a parent, yet yearning for love in all its forms – familial, platonic, and romantic. Such a rich confusion of thoughts and emotions. Such
Okay, so it wasn’t just Nigella and I living it up at the Sydney Opera House. There were 1500 of our new besties. And some bright sparked asked Annabel Crabb along to ask the questions. I know! Annabel! It was like someone reached into my brain and started putting together my fantasy dinner party list.
My Night with Nigella Read More »
IN BRIEF: A short story collection which is rich with pathos and sparing with words. As a writer, Murray Middleton is wise beyond his years, and humble beyond his generation.
Reflections: ‘When There’s Nowhere Else to Run’, by Murray Middleton Read More »
READING: An extraordinary book is a wondrous thing. But my gosh, it sort of ruins you for whatever book you pick up next. Do you find that? I finished A Little Life last week (read my thoughts here), and have struggled to engage with anything ever since. I’ve downloaded a couple of samples but have
Reading, Watching and Writing: Weekly Round-Up Read More »
IN BRIEF: Both traumatising and uplifting, this is a truly extraordinary book about the beauty of friendship and the limits of its potential to ameliorate the life-long damage caused by an abusive childhood.
Reflections: ‘A Little Life’, by Hanya Yanagihara Read More »
READING Every so often a book comes along that makes you want to press pause on the world, just so you can finish it. A Little Life is that book. I’m only half-way through this Man Booker Prize Long-listee, but my goodness – what an experience! I will definitely be writing more about this, once
Reading, Watching and Writing: Weekly Round-Up Read More »
