Laura Jean McKay (author of the brilliant The Animals in That Country) and I recently appeared on the Second Life Book Club, with Draxtor. The set was an incredible floating cloud. Laura was an orca and I was a Bowie-hawk. We talked animals, minds being invaded, taking years to write a novel, 'method' writing, genre … Continue reading The Second Life Book Club with me and Laura Jean McKay
Movies + TV
Appearance on Jennifer Byrne Presents: Envy
I was honoured to be a guest on Jennifer Byrne Presents, an offshoot of the First Tuesday Book Club, to discuss one of the seven deadly sins, envy, along with Greg Sheridan, Lyndon Terracini and Kate McClymont. The show aired on 19 August on ABC, and will be available for a limited time on iview. There's also an outtake … Continue reading Appearance on Jennifer Byrne Presents: Envy
‘I’m Holbeck Ghyll’
First published on the Stoffers blog. You have to allow yourself one indulgence while travelling: one wild night, one big purchase, two nights at a five star hotel... I just had my one indulgence for this trip. And it relates to a 2010 TV series (that was also turned into a film) called The Trip, starring … Continue reading ‘I’m Holbeck Ghyll’
Hell is for Hyphenates: Billy Wilder
I was stoked to be the June 2013 guest on the Hell is for Hyphenates film podcast with Paul Anthony Nelson and Lee Zachariah. Each month they discuss new releases and then explore the filmography of a director/filmmaker suggested by their guest. I chose Billy Wilder, because his films (though varied) all have an intelligent, … Continue reading Hell is for Hyphenates: Billy Wilder
Bustin’ makes me feel good: Geek Mook
Geek Mook (Vignette Press) has now been released, with my essay 'Bustin' makes me feel good'. Can you guess what it's about? Maybe the picture of me from the launch to the left here will help. Or this. Or this. The Mook features stories, poetry and articles on everything 'geek'-related, from Star Trek to coding, pro-wrestling, gaming, steam punk, Twitter, … Continue reading Bustin’ makes me feel good: Geek Mook
Marilyn Monroe died 50 years ago + my favourite books about Marilyn
I've been thinking about Marilyn, particularly because she was born in the same year as my grandmother who just passed away. My Nanna had a whole 50 years more of life. She wasn't famous but she had a loving family (something Marilyn lacked and longed for). Arthur Miller said: 'To understand Marilyn best, you have to … Continue reading Marilyn Monroe died 50 years ago + my favourite books about Marilyn
LiteraryMinded does Sydney Film Festival 2012
I'm officially on holidays (though still doing some reviews etc.) and enjoying the Sydney Film Festival, good friends, whisky bars... I'm not sure if I'll blog (at length) about the fest. I've set two activities instead. The main one is to take something from the film I've just seen and write something creative from it. So … Continue reading LiteraryMinded does Sydney Film Festival 2012
Thoughts on Shakespeare and Anonymous
Are you a Stratfordian or an Oxfordian? For a long time I’ve avoided the debate around Shakespeare’s ‘true identity’. Partly because, like many people, I enjoy the romantic idea of the enigmatic genius. And partly because any debate around authorship (I believed) could potentially take away from the focus on, and the enjoyment of, the … Continue reading Thoughts on Shakespeare and Anonymous
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore
Book lovers, you'll be moved by this year's Oscar-winning animated short The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore. It's a delight. via @ReadingsBooks
Two literary TV shows I’m excited about in 2012
Parade's End Ford Madox Ford has not yet made it from the to-read list to my eyeballs, but from what I've heard, he's magnificent. That's one reason I'm excited about the BBC/HBO co-production of Parade's End, based on Ford's 1920s four-part novel about a complex relationship and the madness of war (and undoubtedly much more). The … Continue reading Two literary TV shows I’m excited about in 2012
