So it’s been a while since I have done a book post … and in that time I have been busily devouring books at my usual compulsive rate. While I enjoy pretty much every book I read (because if I am not enjoying it, then I stop reading it) there have been a few stand outs in recent months that I feel I just have to share with you. Let's go ... Hugh Howey – Wool and Shift    Now I am … [Read more...]

This is an interesting question that Michaela asked me recently and one I know many grapple with: Writer or blogger - can you be both? What Michaela was saying was: everyone has limited hours in their day and a limited number of words they can write. So where should those words go? For me, I love writing here on my blog because it is the one place I can write purely for myself. I also … [Read more...]

So last week’s post touched a nerve. But it also stimulated some truly amazing discussion in the comments. And for me, what the comments showed is there is nothing black and white when it comes writing (or creating) for free. Especially on the internet. Given all the interesting thoughts and questions raised in the comments I figured a follow-up post was required. So here goes (I can’t … [Read more...]

A couple days ago I started following an interesting debate on twitter. I use the terms 'interesting' and ‘debate’ loosely actually because really it was an all-out attack on an individual person – Mia Freedman. (If you want to see what it was all about, read Mia’s response here). Regular readers of this blog already know I am a Mia fan so I was going to stay out of this whole thing … [Read more...]

I haven’t done a book battle in a while and for today’s effort, I have really drawn the finest of threads. I am also about to put my slightly eclectic reading tastes on display for everyone to see. So, what exactly do these two books have in common that make them suitable to go into battle? Well they are both written by Australian authors. And I read both of them in two sittings. What? … [Read more...]

I know I know – I’ve been talking a lot about writing and book stuff here on the blog lately but you’re going to get one more post this week on the subject. That’s because my writerly friend Sarah has issued a challenge this week to write a post around the topic “What I know about … writing”. So here it is: I know I express myself far better in the written word than the spoken word … [Read more...]

Forgive me father for recently I have sinned. I have been covetous. Which is odd because till now, I have never had more than a passing relationship with the green-eyed monster. In fact I’ve always subscribed to wise words of Mary Schmich when she said: Don't waste time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. Indeed. So who are these people that I am jealous … [Read more...]

As some of you know, I am writing a book. My intention is to write a chapter a month and release it via email to those who have indicated they want to read it (by signing up via the little box at the bottom of all my posts including this one). Naturally the one question everyone is asking is “what is your book about”? Well on the surface, it is all about me – a memoir if you will. But … [Read more...]

I was in my study late on a Saturday night. Which was odd because I am never in my study late on a Saturday night. I was sitting there staring at my laptop, despairing because the words would not come. I don’t know why I decided I needed words so desperately at this particular time, but I did. In desperation I gazed out the window and up the driveway looking for inspiration. Which was odd … [Read more...]