So, remember when I said that one of my goals for 2019 was to travel to the UK? Turns out that is happening far sooner than I had anticipated. In just under two months, I will be in London. Not for a writers conference, unfortunately, just for a bit of a vacation and an adventure. … Continue reading Adventures 2019
I Tried Veganuary — This is What I Learned
There is ‘milk ingredients’ in just about everything! I should have been paying closer attention to this from the start because I have intolerances to dairy, but once you start to read ingredient lists again you start to wonder to yourself ‘does salt and vinegar flavouring really need milk in it? Why does “hint of … Continue reading I Tried Veganuary — This is What I Learned
Valentine – Flash Fiction
“Did you know, detective, that my blossoms are the only roses in the city to have a natural perfume? Commercial producers breed for bud size and stem length. They give no thought to the most essential part of a rose’s beauty.” “Ma’am,” the plain clothes officer said, his voice betraying a lack of patience. “We … Continue reading Valentine – Flash Fiction
The Anxiety Monster
“OMG, I suck!” “What if everyone knows I suck but me?” “Who is ever going to want to read this drivel?” “What was I thinking?” “Why am I wasting everyone’s time?” Negative self-talk is always the easiest to listen to. It tells us we aren’t worthy, and it happily drowns out ten times its weight … Continue reading The Anxiety Monster
The Year of Putting Myself Out There
Apparently starts now. About two weeks ago I found out (at the last-minute) about the MWA first crime novel contest. And me in my new year frenzy of optimism thought to myself, ‘I can be ready to enter that by the deadline’. Ignoring, of course, that it’s generally thought to be a bad idea to … Continue reading The Year of Putting Myself Out There
2019 – New Year New Goals
I’ve been pretty contemplative the last couple of weeks. As we spiral down to the end of 2018, I find myself thinking about all of the changes that have come my way this year. My family has dealt with a whole host of medical issues, some good, some not so good. I’ve lost 20kg since … Continue reading 2019 – New Year New Goals
Some Thoughts on Fan Fiction
In theory, I am all for fan fiction. I think it gives people who may go on to be writers the chance to work with fully developed characters, and carry on their adventures after the book, movie, television series has ended. It gives people a chance to start asking that essential question ‘what if’. Some … Continue reading Some Thoughts on Fan Fiction
NaNoWriMo – I Did It!
I made it! 50,000 words in roughly 26 days. And I am beat. As predicted, I am roughly 2/3rds plus a bit into my manuscript, but hey, 50,000 words of manuscript in less than a month is a pretty darned good start. For a lot of folks, and even for me my first several times participating … Continue reading NaNoWriMo – I Did It!
NaNoWriMo – Turning the Corner
Can you believe that it’s been three weeks already? I can’t. I have been so busy this month, that I nearly lost count of the days. Though I can say with pride that I have been on the ball as to which day of the week it is for almost ten days now. Go me! … Continue reading NaNoWriMo – Turning the Corner
NaNoWriMo – Week Two
I had a nap yesterday. Ok, I had a series of naps yesterday. Somehow I always forget that creative work is work, and it can be exhausting. Who am I kidding, it is exhausting. This is the part when NaNoWriMo can really start to suck. It’s sucking up your time, your energy, your every waking … Continue reading NaNoWriMo – Week Two