I've had a flat out week. It's been a real doozy. I went over to Swancon last week, and participated as a panellist and the paperback version of Frontier Resistance was officially released as well, and then this weekend has been the critique and winner reveals of Freshly Squeezed Reads #c1blitz. Swancon was great. I … Continue reading Swancon and the #c1blitz!
Year: 2015
Official Release of Frontier Resistance Paperback – Swancon 40
On Thursday I'm hopping on an aeroplane and heading off to Perth. I'm lucky enough to be going to Swancon - Perth's Science Fiction convention. It's the fortieth anniversary of Swancon, and this year it's the Natcon - or National Convention. At Swancon, on Saturday afternoon at 3pm, Frontier Resistance will be launched in paperback … Continue reading Official Release of Frontier Resistance Paperback – Swancon 40
Fine Lines, Freedom and Responsibility
I've been attending sessions at the Newcastle Writers Festival all weekend. I purchased tickets to a number of sessions, and had a great time. Garth Nix reaffirmed for me that you don't necessarily have to outline your stories to write a good one. I generally know where I'm starting, know where I'm finishing, and a … Continue reading Fine Lines, Freedom and Responsibility
Terry Pratchett
If you've been living under a rock, you might have missed the announcement that one of the world's most loved authors passed away last week. I was never going to do a post like this - probably like many others - but here I am, reflecting on the life and work of Terry Pratchett. I … Continue reading Terry Pratchett
New Magazine
I've just spent about two hours trying to embed a link so that a magazine will show up on my blog. Have you ever had a moment when you do the thing last that you should have done first? After fiddling with the html, copying, pasting, downloading embedding tools, shaking my head, threatening to disown … Continue reading New Magazine
Ups and Downs and All Kinds of Stuff
My blog feels a bit neglected at the moment, so my apologies for not updating for a couple of weeks. I usually post every Sunday night. Over the last few weeks our family has been rather busy. We've had the kids go back to Uni, my sister visit from the UK, Dad had an angiogram … Continue reading Ups and Downs and All Kinds of Stuff
Beginnings Are a Delicate Time (Or how to make sure your first chapter doesn’t crash and burn.)
There’s a quote from Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune’ that seems appropriate right now. “A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct.” If you’ve ever written a novel, you’ll know that the first chapter is something to agonise over - to get right. Some months ago, I wrote a … Continue reading Beginnings Are a Delicate Time (Or how to make sure your first chapter doesn’t crash and burn.)
Australia Day
Tomorrow is Australia Day. I always have mixed feelings about Australia Day. It commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet and the official beginning of the European Settlement in Australia. It's our National holiday - the one when we celebrate being Australian, and all things Australian. It's full of beach, prawns, lamb (courtesy of clever … Continue reading Australia Day
Growing Up In An Uncertain World
It seems that every time I put pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard) lately, there's been another tragedy. As a result of this week's tumultuous events in France, I've been reflecting on my childhood, and the fears and issues that loomed large in my mind as a teen and a pre-teen. Being born … Continue reading Growing Up In An Uncertain World
Fires, Fires, and More Fires
It's that time of year again. When the northern hemisphere snuggles into winter clothes and lights their fires to keep warm, here in Australia we begin putting them out. It's bushfire season. As I write, there have been dreadful fires in South Australia and Victoria, and I've been watching my sister-in-law's Facebook feed about a … Continue reading Fires, Fires, and More Fires
Leonie Rogers 