A year after I lost my devilcat, I welcome Lucia into my heart.
Of cats old and new
Shannara isn’t perfect, but gives me hope
Ever since the movie versions of Lord of the Rings appeared, I've been living in hope more epic fantasy novels will roar to life onscreen. I love the LOTR movies so much, will never be tired of them. They represent everything I most love about the fantasy genre (and value in life) -- adventure, discovery, … Continue reading Shannara isn’t perfect, but gives me hope
Singing acapella in the tea room
The most important aspect of singing for me is creating harmonies with other people and filling a space with music. There's a kind of magic created when multiple voices weave together and unfurl, blending and enhancing and expanding, the whole so much more than the sum of its parts. This is why I have been … Continue reading Singing acapella in the tea room
Let’s bring back the interrobang
Ever since I discovered the existence, some years ago, of the punctuation mark known as the interrobang, I've been intensely captivated. It's basically a hybrid question and exclamation mark. I think it would be very useful for writing dialogue; but, after being invented in the 1960s, it has (alas) fallen out of favour. More info … Continue reading Let’s bring back the interrobang
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
And at the bottom of my wardrobe I found…
(Or, "Sometimes it pays to be a hoarder") In the very near future I’m heading to the Steppes Of Mongolia. To ride a horse. For two whole weeks. Squee! As you might expect, I’ve been planning what to take for a while now. I don’t ride horses all that often, so I don’t have all … Continue reading And at the bottom of my wardrobe I found…
A new cafe is always good
There's a new cafe just opened in my local shopping strip (like, yesterday), and today I got to check it out for its "office" potential. I didn't have time to linger and write or anything, being somewhat under the pump with work this week; but I've established I am far more productive overall if I … Continue reading A new cafe is always good
Musical flashback ~ Resident Alien ~ Spacehog
The other day I ransacked my long-neglected CD collection and came up with a pile of old favourites to play in the car. So, while I indulge in musical nostalgia, I've decided to share and briefly reminisce about the really good ones. My ultimate favourites. (Mostly from the 90s.) This week's musical flashback CD is … Continue reading Musical flashback ~ Resident Alien ~ Spacehog
In preparation for the steppes of Mongolia where there be horses
There's a rumor going around that my next big adventure will be in Mongolia. Horse trekking in Mongolia. On the steppes. The steppes of Mongolia. On horseback. With horses. For two weeks. (And then some.) Except it isn't a rumor. It's tremendously exciting. The scenery should be amazing, the culture fascinating -- and, oh, the … Continue reading In preparation for the steppes of Mongolia where there be horses
Musings on secret preview TV viewing versus feedback reading
I've done my fair share of reading and providing feedback on short stories and novels over the years. It's much easier to be objective and analytical about someone else's work -- all in the name of being constructive and helpful, of course. In such cases you know the author will take onboard some suggestions, discard … Continue reading Musings on secret preview TV viewing versus feedback reading
E V Gregory 