On the occasion of Remembrance Day, here is the fifth installment of my grandfather's World War II memoir (see Harry's WWII memoir). The first post told the story of him getting captured in Italy, the second was about life in the German POW camp Stalag 383, the third detailed his daring escape and teaming up … Continue reading Harry’s WWII memoir: Arrival of the American Army
A day at the races, Mongolian Nadaam style…
It's been hard to avoid horse racing in Melbourne this week. The Melbourne Cup carnival seems to get more hyped every year, and all week it's been a frenzy of fashion, ridiculous weather and thoroughbreds. I largely ignored proceedings (although I'm regretting that now, given the inaugural win of the main event by a female … Continue reading A day at the races, Mongolian Nadaam style…
D&D Chronicles: Tale of the Dark Tree
ZILLAH I’m staring into the fire in Climber’s camp of outlaws, searching desperately for light in the depths of my shattered soul. They want me to tell the tale of our recent adventures. They want it to be full of heroic action and rousing arse-kicking. They want me to banish their despair and replace it … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Tale of the Dark Tree
Book review: Red Dirt Heart sequence by N.R. Walker
Once again celebrating Australian Women Writers, today's review is focused on the Red Dirt Heart sequence from N.R. Walker. It comprises four m/m romance novels set on a massive cattle station in the Northern Territory (north-east of Alice Springs), and deals primarily with themes of 'being gay in outback Australia' and family. I love this … Continue reading Book review: Red Dirt Heart sequence by N.R. Walker
Journal ~ Spitting out sand
It's been a while since I've posted. Three and half weeks. The longer it went on, the more apathetic I became. Did anyone notice, I wonder? Instead, I have been reading. It's much easier than writing blog posts at the end of a brain-intensive working day, don't you know? As is my wont, I got … Continue reading Journal ~ Spitting out sand
D&D Chronicles: Triumph over the troll lord
ZILLAH We camp a few hours upstream from the goblin village. I have the goblin chief's dirt map memorised -- the all important directions to the troll lord we seek, and the Dark Tree as well. We will likely face at least one of them tomorrow. I try to mentally prepare myself for the task … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Triumph over the troll lord
Review of Captive Prince and Prince’s Gambit by C.S. Pacat
Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat leapt to the top of my to-be-read pile the instant I heard about it last weekend, because it ticks three of my current preferred boxes: It’s a secondary world fantasy, written by an Australian woman (meaning I can review it for the Australian Women Writers challenge), and it’s centred on … Continue reading Review of Captive Prince and Prince’s Gambit by C.S. Pacat
Journal ~ Update on words, Spring, bad habits
Words... Despite my indecision a month ago, I've managed to get back into a good creative routine. The second half of July was work-frenzied as predicted, but August has been a delight. Lots of cafe writing sessions and I've started the run to the end of this novel. So I feel as though I'm getting … Continue reading Journal ~ Update on words, Spring, bad habits
D&D Chronicles: The fireball and the goblin chief
ZILLAH Trees. The stream wending silent on my left. My companions spread out in front of me, talking in low voices, stepping on twigs. This is all I see. All I hear. They are making tough going of it, but I don’t care. I don’t care that none of them are likely to see the … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: The fireball and the goblin chief
D&D Chronicles: Death of an animal companion
ZILLAH -- The Broken Forest I'm on watch with Squirrel in the dead of night when the tree moves. It's a massive tree in a loop of the stream. We've camped here because it seemed safer to have the water on three sides. We've been attacked so many times at night. But now it sounds … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Death of an animal companion
Ellen Gregory 