Last weekend I went camping for the first time in... at least a decade. In my youth I slept in tents frequently for both school expeditions and family camping trips, but I think the last time was when I hiked Tasmania's Overland Track in early 2000. Gosh. Can't believe it's been that long. Anyway, I … Continue reading Thunder in the night
A is for Adventure
Today marks the first of a new series of posts I'm calling the 'A-Z of Fantasy'. Each post (roughly each fortnight) will be inspired by a different letter... and there are no other rules! I can think of many fantasy tropes beginning with A: apprentice, amulet, angst, armour, ale, armies... But in my view ADVENTURE … Continue reading A is for Adventure
Book Review: Forever and Ever, Amen ~ Liv Rancourt
Last Monday marked the launch of my friend Liv Rancourt's paranormal romance novel, Forever and Ever, Amen. Since I was lucky enough to score an Advanced Reader's Copy, I thought I would share my thoughts on the book, which has been published as an e-book under the Crimson Romance label. First, the official awesome blurb … Continue reading Book Review: Forever and Ever, Amen ~ Liv Rancourt
A fascination with carnivorous plants
One day long ago, when walking in a Victorian State Forest or National Park somewhere, my late uncle beckoned me over and showed me a tiny little plant nestled amongst the leaves. It was green and had sticky leaves the insects stuck to, and he told me it was called drosera, more commonly known as … Continue reading A fascination with carnivorous plants
Reading Australian Women Writers in 2013…
I've decided to take on the 2013 Australian Women Writers Challenge. This means I'm going to read and review a minimum of six books by Australian women writers. It totally fits in with my pledge to read more this year, and will hopefully help me prioritise which ones on my expanding pile get the nod! … Continue reading Reading Australian Women Writers in 2013…
D&D Chronicles: Shit happens… and then you die
1. Poor Rhi -- my ranger -- is dead for good this time. (sniff) She was taken out on a snowy ledge by three ghouls, which paralysed and devoured her without her even swinging a blow. My party tried to preserve her body in the snow, but Rhi showed up later as a ghoul herself … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Shit happens… and then you die
Apples for birds and butterflies
Every now and then I give in to the hankering to grow something edible -- knowing full well I'll abandon it to its own devices. No watering. No fertilisation. I'm shocking. Several years ago I succumbed to the purchase of two columnar apple trees. They're supposed to grow directly up and stay compact for small … Continue reading Apples for birds and butterflies
Women adopting male noms: When will we be past this?
Today I came across an article on Daily Life that discusses how female authors should consider male -- or at least gender neutral -- pseudonyms if they want to have a higher likelihood of being a) published, b) reviewed, c) read by men. This may or may not be true... but what makes me feel … Continue reading Women adopting male noms: When will we be past this?
D&D Chronicles: Doors and a Giant Staircase
Our DM is trying to kill us. No matter where we go, what we do, death lurks around every corner. In the last two sessions since I've chronicled, we've battled giant beetles, a massive wolf, multiple orcs and goblins, enormous crocodiles, dog-sized venomous spiders, and scary vampire bats that sucked our constitution points away... And … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Doors and a Giant Staircase
The Next Big Thing – My Turn
Finally it is my turn to play The Next Big Thing and I'm a little bit excited. I was first tagged way back in November by Siri Paulson, but being in the middle of NaNoWriMo at that stage, I put it on hold. Then Sherryl Clark approached me in December and I couldn't see the … Continue reading The Next Big Thing – My Turn
