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
The secret ingredient to productivity
They say one of the keys to being successful at any creative endeavour is perseverance. Discipline comes in handy too. Yeah yeah, there are also talent and self-belief, but they're very hard to control... There is another secret ingredient I've come to value very highly over the years -- and that's friends. More specifically, friends … Continue reading The secret ingredient to productivity
In which I ramble
This is going to be a very rambly post, all haphazard and out-of-control, which is a bit like my life at the moment. I always knew that starting a new job was going to play havoc with my writing (and blogging, and . . .) routine -- well, let's face facts, my routine is completely … Continue reading In which I ramble
World Fantasy wind-down
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
The WIP and the writing group
This week's musings (a day late, sorry) surround feedback on novel manuscripts -- as in how to get the most out of it. I don't know about other writers, but I rather like to share my work. I'm not necessarily talking about a critical appraisal here, I'm talking about just having it read. In fact, … Continue reading The WIP and the writing group
WriMoFoFo writing challenge
The SuperNOVA writers group is undertaking a writing challenge at the moment. It's inspired by the well-known NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), when writers attempt to splurt out a 50,000 word novel during the 30 days of November. But since this is just, well, CRAZY, we've evened out the odds a little. Our WriMoFoFo (Write … Continue reading WriMoFoFo writing challenge
Wrapup of Continuum 7
I've spent the past 3.5 days at Continuum 7, Melbourne's own speculative fiction and pop culture convention, and I'm knackered. It's been an awesome frenzy of panels and meals and bottles of wine and talking and generally fuelling the literary flame. One of the guests of honour was the incomparable Catherynne M Valente, fantasy author and poet, … Continue reading Wrapup of Continuum 7
Books by friends
Over the past year or so, I have had the great thrill of being able to purchase and read debut novels published by several members of my writing group, SuperNOVA. I can't express how exciting it is to live vicariously through their experiences. Even though each of these novels was completed prior to its author joining … Continue reading Books by friends
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
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
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