Inspired by what might have been a throwaway comment on facebook by Alvarado Frazier, I thought I'd launch a series called WIP Wednesday, when I post on aspects of my Work in Progress. I'm not sure how it's going to go, or what exactly I'll write about from week to week, but it'll be reflective of … Continue reading WIP Wednesday: Lucky 7 Meme
I’m currently reliving Robin Hobb’s Liveship Traders trilogy during my commute to and from work in the car. (Have I mentioned how much I love audiobooks?) I first read this amazing fantasy trilogy back in 2005 and it has since resided firmly near the top of my all-time favourite novels/series. Even so, I’ve previously read … Continue reading Character and conflict in The Liveship Traders
Last night I hopped along to Melbourne's The Wheeler Centre ('Books, Writing, Ideas') for the last in its series of free panels featuring writers in conversation. (The series had a name, but I've forgotten.) This particular session involved 'the two Alisons' -- Alison Goodman and Alison Croggon -- both of whom are Australian fantasy authors … Continue reading An evening of writerly conversation
One of about six Guests of Honour at the recent World Fantasy Convention was artist Ruth Sanderson, who has illustrated an uncountable number of picture books (and/or book covers), many of them fairytales and other fantasy stories. Her paintings, several of which were on display in the Art Show, were breathtakingly beautiful -- had I … Continue reading World Fantasy GOH: Ruth Sanderson
It’s hard to believe that it’s essentially a week since the World Fantasy Convention in San Diego – I’m still recovering from all the people, panels and parties! I had the most amazing time. This convention was all about socializing and informal networking. Yes, I attended quite a few panels (mainly those featuring the various … Continue reading World Fantasy wind-down
It's very difficult to put into words how I felt yesterday upon hearing about the death of Sara Douglass, a true pioneer of Australian fantasy. Even today, having had time to reflect and read some of the tributes, I feel intensely and confusedly emotional. I did not personally know Sara Douglass. I never even had … Continue reading Vale Sara
As I watch my young nieces and nephews start to develop an appreciation of books and reading, I find myself wanting to write stories for them. Not picture book stories, but novel-length works of the type I would have adored at age 10 or 11. At that age, I had so much time for reading, … Continue reading Writing for kids
A familiar trope often found in fantasy stories is the riding of horses as part of a journey or quest. These days the genre is diverse enough that the presence of horses is not inevitable, but many writers (including me) still find this method of transport -- and the idea of journeying across the imagined … Continue reading Horse camp
It doesn't really surprise me that N.K. Jemisin's debut fantasy novel The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, has been nominated/shortlisted for just about every SF award possible, including the Hugo and Nebula. It's a beautifully written tale not in the common style; in fact, the author breaks a few taboo rules and gets away with it. Yeine, … Continue reading The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
One of the aspects of fiction writing that I've had to work hard on over the years is how to structure a good story. For many writers this comes naturally, but I started with an interest in worldbuilding, high fantasy concepts and prose, which alone do not a good story make. I found out the hard way, … Continue reading Non-linear narrative in fantasy
Ellen Gregory 