Writer
Regular readers, friends, and family, will know I am an enthusiastic fan of the State Library in Melbourne. As a teenager, I was often found ditching school to study in the hallowed Dome. Luckily, not often found out. Sorry Mum and Dad. I was quite sure I would be a successful autodidact, a self-learner, with … Continue reading State Library of BRICKtoria
I think I’ve always been cognisant of the life learning available through reading. Reading books about people’s experiences of adversity and challenge can offer opportunity to understand hardship and to discover empathy and compassion. It allows the reader to take emotional risks without any actual risk. Recently I’ve been reading quite a lot of historical … Continue reading The Gift of Books
Tomorrow is the 10 year anniversary of my late-husband, Michael's, death. Anniversaries of this kind are often really difficult times to 'survive.' They can bring to the surface feelings which we are too busy in our day-to-day lives to acknowledge. The first few years of birthdays, anniversaries, and other times of celebration were dire. The … Continue reading The Anniversary
Before heading to Europe a month ago I read, extensively, about French writers and writers from other countries living in France, particularly in Paris. I had mapped out a walk for us to follow around the 5e arrondissement, or The Latin Quarter, which included Shakespeare and Company, a bookshop I have written about previously. (To … Continue reading The City of Writers
When I started reading A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway, I had no idea I would be opening a floodgate. It was February, and deciding I wanted to expand my reading horizons, I downloaded the title on Audible. We were staying in Brisbane and I had hours alone to walk and listen. I enjoyed it … Continue reading A (literary) French Revolution
When I started writing my book, I had a very definite idea, or ideas, regarding what is would be about. However, as I write it is morphing and growing into something I did not expect. Apparently this is not only common, it is to be expected. My course, Writing the Narrative Non-Fiction Book, at Faber … Continue reading So…what is your book about?
I take for granted that I can sit, whenever I want, and write whatever I like, and then publish it. Of course I censor myself, as far as language and appropriateness are concerned. I am not wanting to offend. But, I am free to have my own opinions and ideas. In many places this is … Continue reading Freedom and Writing
Stephen King warns of waiting for your muse to present themselves when you are ready to sit down and write. According to him..."he's a hardheaded guy who's not susceptible to a lot of creative fluttering...Your job is to make sure the muse knows where you're going to be every day from nine 'til noon. Or … Continue reading The Elusive Muse
Writing is a solitary activity. Spending hours with your computer and your thoughts can be both joyous and lonely at the same time. I really enjoy sitting in my memories, untangling the meaning of my existence. However, there is an energy exchange which happens with people. This reciprocity is, for me, an essential element of … Continue reading Filling Your Cup
Last week Stu and I watched the movie Women Talking. We had a particular interest in the movie, as it was based on the book of the same name, written by Miriam Toews. Miriam Toews was born in Steinbach, Manitoba (Canada) a child of Mennonite parents. Stu grew up in Landmark, Manitoba, a 20 minute … Continue reading The Changing Voice of Writing
