Teacher, blogger, YouTuber and author

07

Apr

The Yellow Dinghy Cafe

Hi everyone, I would like to announce that my first novel, The Yellow Dinghy Cafe will be available for online purchase on 19th April 2021. It’s about a gap year with a difference and incorporates mystery, intrigue and suspense! Here is a quick synopsis: When Jasmine, Cybelle and Michaela finish school, they can’t wait for… continue reading »

25

Feb

Illusions

Last month I entered the Furious Fiction creative writing competition and once again, there were story prompts. Here is my offering, which I hope you enjoy as much as I did coming up with it.     Three things threaten the Great Barrier Reef. Rising temperatures, ocean acidification and the Crown of Thorns Starfish. There… continue reading »

27

Jan

Food for thought

Here is my January 2021 entry for the Furious Fiction Writing Competition run by the Australian Writers’ Centre. It had to be 500 words or less, contain the words bicycle, signature and patient, begin at sunrise and include a character who had to make a choice.   The sun cut a line across the water,… continue reading »

25

Jan

Tips for writing success

Here are some tips which have allowed me to hone my skills, boost my creativity and achieve my goals. They have been hard-won, but are vital for success. Step outside your comfort zone Our brains are hardwired to stick with what’s familiar in order to keep us safe, but in today’s world, we must take… continue reading »

04

Nov

Oriental lilies

  Coaxed into glory, Long are the days. Opening petals, Fuchsia ballet. Flowers in winter, Nourish the soul. Waxy perfection, Anthers of kohl. Shy ones and bold ones, Perfume the air. Fluted umbrellas, Beauty beware. Poison that lingers, Hidden from view. Pearlescent sepals, Shiny and new. Whimsical trumpets, Set in a vase. Spilling, cavorting, Dust… continue reading »

30

Sep

The Rainbow Lorikeets

  In lime green coats and ruby vests They are a pigeon pair. He bobs along and sings his song, He flaps his wings with flair. She sits upon a gum tree branch, She’s waiting just to see If Mr there is worth her care, His hugs so feathery. On nectar, blooms and fruits they… continue reading »

27

Sep

The Echidna

  My nutmeg friend, she wanders on Along detritus track. Her mottled spines, their sharp, broad lines, She’s searching for a snack. A monotreme like platypus, She is so very rare. Her searching tongue, it clings to ants, With spines like prickly pear. I feel a surge of tenderness For ‘hairbrush’ on four legs. Her… continue reading »

08

Sep

The Dubbo dust storm

  I woke from luxurious slumber And stretched out my arms with a sigh. The day loomed large, no plans did I have, When a cough turned my throat sore and dry. I threw back the bedsheets and sharp little breath Told me something was seriously wrong. I ran to the window and closed it… continue reading »

26

Aug

Bridezilla

Here is another short story I wrote for the Furious Fiction writing competition. The story had to mention something being sent or received in the mail, it had to include the words jingle, click, bump and sizzle and the last sentence had to contain three words. We had the weekend to complete it and it… continue reading »

26

Aug

Object of desire

Here is my Furious Fiction entry for August. We had to include the words dizzy, exotic, lumpy, tiny and twisted. In addition, it had to be humorous and mention a sandwich. We had a weekend to do it and it had to be 500 words or less. Object of desire The belly dancer spun past… continue reading »