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
Current Affairs
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
Thoughts on the Sydney Siege.
It's hard to write what I'm really feeling tonight. Thirty six hours ago a gunman took hostages in the Lindt cafe in Martin Place in Sydney, and about seventeen hours later, the gunman and two hostages died. By all accounts, the gunman was a nutter with a previous record of violence and the two hostages … Continue reading Thoughts on the Sydney Siege.
Stuff On The Internet
Like myself, you've probably spent the last few years being bombarded with all kinds of online information. As a writer, I've wandered through free sites that have offered some excellent tips on improving my writing skills, and I've also been offered the 'opportunity' to purchase all kinds of revolutionary marketing services and all of the … Continue reading Stuff On The Internet
Cultural Moments
We have friends who hail from a variety of countries around the world. More and more I've been struck by the differences in our cultures, despite sharing the same first language - English. Even more, I've been struck by how often we Australians have done incomprehensible things to English language, which must make it almost … Continue reading Cultural Moments
The Bravery of Ian Thorpe
As I write, I'm watching Ian Thorpe's interview with Michael Parkinson. I've always loved to watch swimming. I swam competitively myself, not at a particularly high level, but high enough to understand what he meant when he talked about 'having a relationship' with the water. Our kids swam, and the swimming is the one bit … Continue reading The Bravery of Ian Thorpe
Leonie Rogers 