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
Self-indulgence
Observations, rants, fun stuff, links…
Books that got me through 2020
I read fewer books than ever this year. I finished thirty-three books and will probably get through three or so more by the year’s end, now that I’ve given myself a little time off. (This, of course, does not include all the books I worked on as an editor!) It wasn’t just the broad-sweeping anxiety … Continue reading Books that got me through 2020
What I’m Reading, for the Meanjin blog
I lost [my enthusiasm] for a while, recently. Another part of me took over, a part that couldn’t make those connections, couldn’t really envision those pathways. Every now and then, a lamp flickered and I caught sight of a few stones. For the most part though, I lost my capacity. It was an effort to … Continue reading What I’m Reading, for the Meanjin blog
An unforgettable festival moment
Two days ago I did something that terrified me. I joined the open mic at a reading where everyone in the room was starkers. Krissy Kneen, a friend and an author I've long admired, was the feature reader. I was one of the last to get up on the open mic—everyone was being so brave, reading … Continue reading An unforgettable festival moment
Blog narrative
'Yet the clock is time, and time is lost, is bankrupt before it begins'—from Owls do Cry, Janet Frame. Recently I made two early blog posts private. Many times I have gone to do this but never have. When I taught blogging I would tell my students that the blog itself formed an overall narrative. Mine … Continue reading Blog narrative
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
LiteraryMinded is seven; Captives is born; writing-work balance
I missed my blog's birthday. For the first time. You can imagine why. Something else I've written has just been released, my tiny book of short fictions, Captives. Actually, there's more to it than that. I haven't felt like I've had a proper chance to let publication wash over me, that now when I say to … Continue reading LiteraryMinded is seven; Captives is born; writing-work balance
Dear anonymous
Thank you, whoever you are, for renewing my Writers Vic membership for the next two years. What an incredibly generous gesture. Since, it seems, you are interested in my work, let me reveal where the manuscript I've just begun is partly set, via Brian Cox: Which is close to: In the realm of the estate … Continue reading Dear anonymous
Merry everything to you
I'm tucked away in the English countryside with my partner, sister, her girlfriend, a puppy called Beauly, and David Copperfield on my ereader. We have a chook and a ham, plenty of booze, and space all around us. The puppy is hard work! But when she looks at you with those big black eyes, you forgive … Continue reading Merry everything to you
1984
because:
