I've started a free monthly newsletter aimed at emerging fiction writers. You can subscribe here, or check out the posts so far: Your writing goals for 2020 Why even write? Research your novel without leaving home Reading to write Open the door to your 'magician's toyshop' How to create memorable characters I'm also creating a … Continue reading Newsletter for writers
writing
What the wow
UPDATE: Published this then realised my blog turned EIGHT yesterday! I spent half the day in my pyjamas and wrote 1181 words which just tipped my WEIRD Scottish manuscript over 50,000 (rough) words. Last night I saw Jack Ladder & the Dreamlanders and it rocked; I danced with a whisky in my hands and Jen … Continue reading What the wow
Spark, flow, sigh: the erotics of body & mind on Killings
Recently, as we sat around having a few drinks after a book launch, the poet Jennifer Compton asked the question, ‘Do you find writing to be an erotic act?’. My instinctive answer was ‘yes’, but I’ve been thinking about it ever since. How did I interpret the question? And why was my answer so sure?Find … Continue reading Spark, flow, sigh: the erotics of body & mind on Killings
Bodies, effort, straws: The Special by David Stavanger
I had the pleasure last night of launching The Special by David Stavanger, winner of the 2013 Thomas Shapcott Prize. The book is published by UQP and available now. David and I didn't know each other beforehand, but connected through words (in emails, but mainly through our work) and it was a wonderful night, with much warmth. … Continue reading Bodies, effort, straws: The Special by David Stavanger
#555writers: Lismore to Coffs
With limited time, these blog posts just have to flow from my head onto the screen. Please forgive all unfiltered thoughts, badly chosen words, grammatical errors and digressions of narrative and theme... I want to start with what just happened. I invited the five writers Zac, Craig, Ash, Sam and Nick, and filmmaker Tim, into my … Continue reading #555writers: Lismore to Coffs
Interviews in The West Australian and Tincture
In the West Australian: 'I thought of (Captives) as a pillbox of stories,' Meyer says. 'There are different coloured pills - a pink one and a blue one and a yellow one—and they produce different effects and maybe you can't take too many at once. And they're a little dark and a little strange. But … Continue reading Interviews in The West Australian and Tincture
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
Vertigo
Yesterday I climbed the mountain Beinn Eighe, and it was breathtaking. I get a bit of vertigo; when there's a drop by the path I have to lean away from it and not look down or else my legs crumble and my head spins. As I laid in bed last night, my muscles humming with … Continue reading Vertigo
Carmel Bird Award shortlist
The shortlist for the 2013 Carmel Bird Short Fiction Award has just been announced on the Spineless Wonders website. These are all excellent, imaginative stories, and I'm so excited that they will be joining those by the invited writers published in The Great Unknown (including Carmel Bird herself). They range from an existential story from the POV of … Continue reading Carmel Bird Award shortlist
LiteraryMinded 