Teacher, blogger, YouTuber and author

16

Jan

Monster

Several years ago, I was standing in the shower making wild animal noises, reminiscent of a wolf. Despite the horrific pain I was in, I found it interesting that in the 34 years I had lived on the planet, I’d never heard such primordial sounds emanating from my throat. Needless to say, about twenty minutes… continue reading »

23

Dec

It doesn’t get any easier

It’s funny, I’ve watched lots of author interviews and something these incredibly brave people have in common is their belief that it doesn’t get any easier. What do you mean? You might say. Well, just because you’ve finished one project (i.e. a novel), it doesn’t mean that working on the second is any less daunting…. continue reading »

23

Nov

Pavlova

If you read my article about the fact that you’ve got to be in it to win it, you may have heard of the Furious Fiction writing competition that is hosted by the Australian Writers’ Centre. I submitted an entry in October and we had to pick six words from a list of twenty. Moreover,… continue reading »

17

Nov

Lane Cove Literary Awards 2019

This week I attended the Lane Cove Literary Awards for the first time and sipped on white wine as smoke from nearby bushfires swirled on the other side of the wide glass window.  For the first time in about fifteen years, I had entered a short story competition and to my amazement, had been longlisted… continue reading »

11

Oct

The power of video

A couple of years ago, I started making YouTube videos. We’d had some gorgeous sunsets and I was determined to freeze them in time. I also did a bit of bird watching and was amazed at what I learnt when I replayed my mini-movies. This is a video I took which I entitled: ‘Lightning at… continue reading »

10

Oct

The platypus

    He glides along the river bed And shakes his head about. The clouds of silt like puffs of steam, He’s hungry, there’s no doubt! His bubbles blown are silk balloons, They billow beautifully. His aqua home, complex biome, Debris infused like tea. And then he swims up to the sun, He rolls around… continue reading »

09

Oct

Byron writers’ festival 2019

Back in August, I attended the 2019 Byron Writers’ Festival and was blown away by the quality, quantity and diversity of the speakers. From Peter Greste to Tim Flannery to Jess Hill, I was in awe of their confidence and conviction. The weather was beautiful (of course) and the silk scarves billowing in the sunshine… continue reading »

09

Oct

The mermaid

  Auburn hair in emerald light, The wavelets crash the shore. Her pensive eyes peruse the bay, How robust their rapport. Her days spent dancing in the deep With octopi for kin. These pale gold sands her chance to sleep And sun translucent skin. The startling cliffs of chalk-white stone, The aqua water’s gleam. A… continue reading »

08

Oct

Cherry blossom dreaming

  Watermelon dancers’ skirts Are draped on speckled bark. A chorus with the smallest feet, The singing of a lark. I wonder where their owners rest With trusting, pure hearts. I nestle in to drink perfume, What bliss their tutus spark. These ladies sleeping in the woods With mushrooms for a tent. The gurgling of… continue reading »

08

Oct

The tibouchina sapling

  Her buds of purple bounty burst To face the autumn day. The richness of the colours is Such decadent display. From rockery she’s sprouted strong, Yet delicate her bark. Her flowers’ tears so haunting, Petals gleaming in the dark. Her styles of moonlit beauty float, Beguiling in the breeze. Lush leaves of emerald frame… continue reading »