One of the key tropes of epic, heroic and most other kinds of fantasy is the presence of the 'big bad' (in Buffy speak) -- otherwise known as the ENEMY. Enemy: A person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something; A hostile nation or its armed forces or citizens, esp. in time … Continue reading E is for Enemy
Tomorrow is April 1st and that means . . . the beginning of Camp NaNoWriMo! My official plan is to write 25,000 words in 30 days. Maybe more. My actual plan is to complete the messy first draft of of my current novel-in-progress. I'm poised on the brink of the last act, the final descent into … Continue reading On the eve of Camp NaNoWriMo
After a longish break while half our group moved houses, we finally resumed our campaign this past weekend. To add to the fun, we played Dungeons and Dragons by candlelight. Yeah. * We resume our campaign in the middle of some woods after a mighty battle -- three of our party levelled up after the … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Beware giant chickens
It's becoming something of a tradition among one of my writing and blogging circles to hold a blogfest that takes the form of a Round Robin Tale. Basically each blogger contributes a progressive chapter to the story -- it ends up a completely crazy mashup of styles and genres, but is loads of fun to … Continue reading Lather: The Twinkle Jackson Story ~ Chapter Four
As part of the Australian Women Writers Challenge 2013, I recently finished reading Shadow Queen (The Binding #1 -- first published Allen&Unwin 2009), a fantasy novel by my good friend and cafe writing buddy, Deborah Kalin. It's the story of Matilde, a young woman groomed to rule over a seething conglomeration of houses all vying against each other, … Continue reading Book Review: Shadow Queen by Deborah Kalin
Today I've been sorting through my filing cabinet and discovering all sorts of fabulous and strange artifacts I previously stashed away. Some are worth keeping, others not so much... To help satisfy the requirements of the Very Inspiring Blogger meme -- bestowed upon me by the wittily wonderful Liv Rancourt a week or so ago … Continue reading Inside the mind of a hoarder
For this week's Phoneography Challenge, 'My Neighbourhood', I've decided to share with you the cafes in which I most commonly write. So I've spent all week taking photos -- plus included one or two I'd previously taken (on my phone of course!). My criteria for cafes to write in are: good coffee, nice ambiance and … Continue reading Phoneography Challenge: My Neighbourhood (or ‘My Writing Cafes’)
Is there any creature more synonymous with fantasy than the DRAGON? I don't think so. I cannot count the number of novels and movies featuring dragons. They appear in many different guises -- they may be ferocious and evil, gentle and benevolent, or else plain disinterested in man. They may or may not speak or possess … Continue reading D is for Dragon
This past week I've been thinking a lot about International Women's Day -- which was yesterday (Friday 8 March). It seems to me its prominence increases with every year . . . and yet I have mixed feelings about the celebration. Last year, I convinced myself I didn't like it at all. It appeared out … Continue reading International Women’s Day must truly empower, not demean
Since it's phoneography month here at WordPress, I'm about to give mobile blogging a go... I've driven nearly 2 hours to the small Victorian town of Castlemaine for a gig by English folk singer Seth Lakeman. And from the sound check, which I'm currently listening to, it's going to be great! The photo below is … Continue reading Weekly photo challenge: lost in the details
Ellen Gregory 