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Flashback: The Family Guide to Writing and Parenting
Once, I was a full-time writer.
My day began at six, with coffee and a slice or two of fruit toast. I’d ruminate on character arcs and plot developments as though they were the very stuff of life. If time permitted, I would air-drum my way through any number of songs by early, Gabriel-era Genesis. Or, if I was desperate, something off Invisible Touch, writing all the way...
Flashback: Writing From the Cheap Seats
In fourteen years of writing, I’ve established something of a reputation.
Don't get me wrong. I don't get window seats at restaurants or all that many free books, aside from the considered review copies, as sent by a handful of Melbourne-based publishers. I made more money participating in a Twitter novella than I did for any short story I've published, and I'm often told that my writing is ‘a bit gritty...'
Thank you
I was lucky enough to have recently had my story 'Orbiting' read on BBC Radio 4 as part of their Stories from the Southern Cross series. Success like this comes occasionally from luck, but more often from hard work, and not just mine. In that respect, I'm indebted to friends, colleagues and fellow professionals, all of whom helped either take Orbiting to a necessarily high standard or, in the case of Alex Adsett, could read a contract without going cross-eyed...
What am I Writing?
I’ve been invited to participate in a Writing Process Blog Chain where writers who blog describe their current writing process by responding to a standard questionnaire. Lee Kofman was kind enough to tag me on her turn. For those not in the know, Lee is a fearless writer, teacher, mentor and lovely person who has written three books of fiction in Hebrew, and numerous essays and articles. In all of this, she shows a knack for opening up meaning within her topics. As a reader, it's as if you've been shot in the arm with authenticity, sincerity, and a dash of eloquence. If you want to find out more about Lee, visit her blog, The Writing Life...
The Knife Shines
I'm excited to announce that my short story 'The Knife' (first published in Westerly 57:2) has won The 2013 Patricia Hackett Prize. This prize is selected annually for the best creative work published in Westerly in any particular year. This year, I'm lucky enough to have been selected. Quite an honour, given the list of contributors for 2012...