I'm going to ask for some feedback now. (This could be the moment you've all been waiting for . . .) One of the most important means by which writers pitch their stories is by having a 'one sentence summary' of the work. This is so that if we're ever asked 'what's your novel about?' by someone … Continue reading My novel is about . . .
Shot of adrenalin
I often find myself pondering exactly what it is that makes me write. The automatic response on being asked is always, "because I can't not write." And while this is true, it doesn't really provide any insight as to why I live in such a state (for 'state' it certainly is . . .). I don't … Continue reading Shot of adrenalin
Backup plan
The calamity of a fellow writer's hard drive crash saw us discussing backups during the SuperNOVA critiquing session yesterday. It's always a huge wake-up call for me when this happens, because no matter how diligent and disciplined I am with backing up, there's always a corner I've cut somewhere that could catch me out. The most … Continue reading Backup plan
In the pub
I'm becoming rather a fan of writing in the pub. This might sound like a strange endeavour, and certainly our mini laptops all lined up receive odd looks from the other patrons. But, as we sit secure in a generous high-walled timber booth with wine, coffee and pub food flowing, somehow just the right creative ambiance is reached … Continue reading In the pub
Talking it out
Sometimes there's a scene that is particularly challenging. It may be because there's something not working, or perhaps there's a higher than usual level of complexity. Or it may be that you simply don't know how to solve the specific plot problem that requires solving. This last scenario is when it's good to talk it … Continue reading Talking it out
‘What if?’ and the art of pessimism
One afternoon recently, I found myself contemplating 'what if?', and it struck me that my thoughts were tending towards the pessimistic. (What if I let the dog off the lead and he ran onto the road? What if I chopped my finger off with the secateurs through carelessness? ...) But then I realised that this is what … Continue reading ‘What if?’ and the art of pessimism
Contemplating World Fantasy 2011
In keeping with my 'focus on writing career' philosophy for this year, I have mostly decided to attend the World Fantasy Convention in San Diego (27-30 October). I have been eyeing off this annual convention for years and years, ever since my first taste of the World Science Fiction Convention, which came to Melbourne in 1999 … Continue reading Contemplating World Fantasy 2011
Among friends
I met with my writers group for brunch today. As is our wont, we sat around and talked shop over our flat whites and eggs, lingering into the afternoon, when we cracked open a bottle of pinot noir. Good friends with common interests, having a drink. This for me is one of the best parts of … Continue reading Among friends
With a dash of love
The rise of 'paranormal romance' as a best-selling genre has me reflecting on the role of 'romance' in the wider speculative fiction genre and fantasy in particular. I think it's fair to say that most fantasy novels written over the past few decades incorporate romantic sub-plots, and I'll admit without shame that I for one like a good dash … Continue reading With a dash of love
All hail the Interwebs
How did writers ever survive without the Interwebs? Its merits must surely rank a thousand-fold -- but there is one in particular that has inspired today's post. Research. Back in the pre-Internet days, writers must have spent a cursed lot of time in libraries, or writing letters to people to inquire about areas of specialist … Continue reading All hail the Interwebs
Ellen Gregory 