I've been working on a novel for a while now. I'm getting very close to the end of the first draft, but the closer I get to the end, the harder it gets. Something's not gelling. I know the ending -- have always known it -- but I can't quite figure out how to get … Continue reading Quotes for writers who are stuck
Your stories matter
There are many days as a writer when all I do is question myself. Is this novel any good? Do I have any talent at all? Should I just give up the whole writing thing as a bad idea? Who would actually bother reading anything I've written? Do I really want to add to all … Continue reading Your stories matter
Winter Solstice ~ Songs around a bonfire
I make it a habit each year to celebrate the summer and winter solstices if I can. No doubt it's the influence of all the fantasy I've read over the years -- a corner of my soul shows signs of being pagan. Here in Australia we've just celebrated the winter solstice -- the longest night. … Continue reading Winter Solstice ~ Songs around a bonfire
The box I don’t want to get rid of
It's amazing the things you come across when sorting through your junk pile, er, study. This box was presented to me last year for my birthday. Inside was my real present, but the outside was so spectacularly decorated I had to pause and admire. And my sister told me my (then) nearly two-year-old nephew had … Continue reading The box I don’t want to get rid of
The clatter-scramble of puppy feet
All is quiet, calm. And then the clatter-scramble of little puppy feet comes as Buddy tears across the living room floor in chase of a ball, or a rag-toy. The sound makes me smile. Puppies are well known to be adorable and Buddy is no exception. He's a miniature Schnauzer, currently about three months old, … Continue reading The clatter-scramble of puppy feet
Imagine wide, dream big
I like to surround myself with reminders of why I'm here, what I'm doing, and give myself the occasional pep talk while I'm at it. It's so easy to let life get in the way of dreams, so easy to get all caught up in the mechanics that you forget how to unleash creativity and … Continue reading Imagine wide, dream big
NaNoWriMo sanity check
This is just going to be a quick update of where I'm at with stuff (aka NaNoWriMo sanity check). The most excellent news is that I'm still on schedule to complete the 50K in 30 days and sailed past 35K this evening. There was a mini meltdown on Monday evening, when the pressure of producing … Continue reading NaNoWriMo sanity check
Enjoying Of Monsters and Men
This is not what I thought I was going to be citing as my inspiration of the week, but by chance last night I downloaded (legally) the album 'My Head is an Animal' from the Icelandic band, Of Monsters and Men, and I LOVE IT. I saw the clip of their hit single 'Little Talks' … Continue reading Enjoying Of Monsters and Men
You can never have too much chocolate
It seems for the month of November, I will be fixated on inspirational aids/props to get me through NaNoWriMo... Last week it was notebooks. This week it's chocolate. What can I say? I'm a week into NaNoWriMo now (trying to write 50,000 words of my novel in just 30 days) and chocolate is NECESSARY! I … Continue reading You can never have too much chocolate
You can never have too many notebooks
Like many writers, I suspect, I have a notebook addiction. (The kind you write in with a pen.) These days there are so many gorgeous ones available -- even in common, mass-market, office supply stores. And it's the inexpensive ones that are the most dangerous... because it seems perfectly acceptable to buy a few more when … Continue reading You can never have too many notebooks
E V Gregory 