Writing isn’t easy, or everyone would do it. But if you’ve been bitten by the bug, that’s it. You’re done. And if you’ve caught the disease, I’m here to help. If you won’t be satisfied until you’re chained to a keyboard churning out your magnus opus, you may well like some advice. And that’s where …
So now I embark on what ranks as my least favourite part of the “oh, hey, yeah, I’m a writer” way of life. The sitting around waiting after my manuscript has been sent out for consideration. Right now, it’s with my agent. If she gives it the thumbs up, it goes out to publishers. Which …
Today’s been a good day. A very good day. For my writerly work, I mean. I’ve been skipping around certain pretty enormous shifts I had to make to my manuscript, and when I woke up this morning, I knew that today was the day. And that I didn’t want to stop until the job was …
Is it any wonder so many of us writer-types who sit behind a keyboard most of the day are at risk of becoming a little… erm… husky? For a start, there’s the “sit behind a keyboard most of the day” part of the job. My fingers run a goddamned marathon between 9 and 5. Who …
Writing has got to be the most sedentary of occupations, right? So riddle me this… why on earth do I end up so damned peckish during the day? If I was a tradie or someone moving all day to make a living (how’s that for a good “catch-all” descriptor?) it’d make sense. And sure, I …
So three months of heaven writing in Italy, Spain and Greece has come to an end. Feel free to hate me. I would. Now, the real work begins. Back at home, it’s pissing down outside and I’m doing my best to ignore the fact that I’m going to have to start killing my babies. Word …
To say that our country is in the grip of an apocalyptic m oment in its history is not an exaggeration. The feeling of impotence, grief and desperation I’ve been feeling from the safety and comfort of my safe house (literally… my house is safe) in the heart of a smoke-clogged Melbourne is overwhelming. Yeah, …
When I say I’ve always wanted to be an author, I’m not exaggerating. Witness: my first self-published piece of fiction: “the elvse and the showmaker”. Yes, I clearly needed the guiding hand of a good editor. And I was yet to grasp the concept of plagiarism. But, still – I was barely 5. Cut me …
A review that starts like that? Daggers to the heart. Why? Well, imagine you’re a restaurant specializing in satay and a review comes out that starts with the line: “I don’t usually eat peanuts… because I’m likely to go into anaphylactic shock.” Or you’re a producer on Survivor and a critic announces they’ve: “never been …
Writing is such a solitary pursuit. That’s why reviews like this one mean so much. To hear Brooklyn Tayla ‘s enthusiasm for my stories, and love for my characters, is so danged gratifying. She really, truly gets it. And it touched her. Which makes the whole journey worthwhile. Thank you.