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Bouncing story ideas: the do’s and don’ts
Bouncing story ideas off other people is a great way to create a gripping plot. It helps you identify when you’re being too predictable (watch for those yawns) or too bizarre (watch for signs of...
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Feeling thankful: World Teachers’ Day
Many authors can trace their success back to one single teacher. A person who recognised their potential and worked hard to foster it. Who inspired, motivated and encouraged them. I’m sure that many...
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Writing workshops: the good, the bad and the brilliant!
I’m currently developing a new workshop: Writing for Children and Young Adults. It’s got me thinking about the writing workshops I’ve attended over the years – and there have been many! Some good. Some...
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Are you an author or a writer?
In my innocence, I used to think these two words could be used interchangeably. I soon found out I was wrong. When I first started writing professionally, I quickly discovered that many people get...
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New Year’s Resolutions for Writers
We’re already one week into January. In case you haven’t made your New Year’s resolutions yet – or you’ve broken them already – feel free to borrow mine! This year: 1. I will finish writing my novel....
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Why I love running writing workshops
I was completely blown away last Saturday. I was running Part 2 of my Writing for Profit workshop, and it happened to be my birthday. I’d mentioned to one of my students in a previous course that I’d...
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3 Ways to avoid writer’s burnout
Do you feel exhausted after working on your book day after day? Do you feel that nothing you write is good enough? Are you starting to resent writing and wish you were doing something else? It could be...
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What does it mean to be a success?
After years of heavy sighs and longing looks, I’ve finally managed to sit on a writers’ success panel. The wonderful CYA Conference people invited me to present a talk to other writers about how my...
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Follow your dreams – while you still can!
How many times do we say we shouldn’t put off our dreams because ‘we only live once’ and ‘life’s too short’? Many, right? But how many times do we actually, seriously think about it? Not so many –...
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I’m dreaming of a white Christmas …
… Just like the ones I never knew … For me – and for most Australians – Christmas days are long, hot and lazy. The sweet smell of mangoes, the salty tang of beach air, the heavy haze of humidity. No...
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An old Christmas favourite
Do you have an all-time favourite childhood Christmas present? I was 9 when I received mine: a personalised story book about me and Santa. It was thrilling – partly because it was so amazingly...
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International Book Giving Day
February 14 isn’t just for lovers – it’s also for book lovers. So put away that chocolate (or gulp it down quickly) and pick up a book! Valentine’s Day is International Book Giving Day, a day dedicated...
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Best Australian blogs competition
Australians may be geographically isolated, but thanks to the internet we no longer feel it. Through my blog, I’ve connected with amazing people from all around the world. And to celebrate our...
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My favourite Mothers’ Day present
Mothers’ Day was a beautiful autumn day in Sydney, filled with smiling children, sunshine and chocolate. Who could ask for more? Well, presents are nice too. Especially the ones made by our children...
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What’s your Klout?
Have you ever used Klout? I’d never heard of it until I attended a social media workshop, and was put through the humiliation of setting up an account and announcing my score to everyone. I got 10 and...
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Is social media treating us like children?
Congratulations, you’ve got a new follower! Five likes on your post so far … nice! X liked your post – maybe you’d like to see theirs, too! We’ve all seen this … Is it just me, or does that sound like...
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Loving the Liebster Blog Award!
When I first started blogging, I didn’t realise what a warm and inviting community the blogworld is. It seemed so big and anonymous – but I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I’m getting to know and like...
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Joining the Twitterverse – basic twitter terms
I feel like a twit. No, that’s not it. I feel like a tweet. Much better! After much longing, lurking and learning, I’ve finally taken the leap and joined twitter. At first I found the jargon...
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Are you an author or a writer?
In my innocence, I used to think these two words could be used interchangeably. I soon found out I was wrong. When I first started writing professionally, I quickly discovered that many people get...
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Why I love writing for children
The best thing about writing for children is getting to see through their eyes again. Once you’re an adult, it’s all too easy to forget how astonishing the world used to be. We’ve seen so much that we...
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