Paris Tango

November 28, 2011

Have been relishing Carla Coulson’s latest feast of images and anecdotes in her latest book ‘Paris Tango’. She has captured the essence of Paris through interviews with fascinating Parisians under the headings of photography, The Marais, Moulin Rouge, artists, gardens, perfume, Haute Couture, dogs, Parisians and dance – clever idea and beautifully executed. Loved this [...]

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The Right Word

November 8, 2011

This Synonym Finder has been my cherished companion for many years. It’s looking very worn around the edges but still has the goods when it comes to finding exactly the right word for whatever it is I’m trying to express. I know there is a modern habit of just flicking up to the Thesaurus on [...]

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Going Up? DIY Elevator Pitch

November 8, 2011

You’ve been slaving away on your novel for X number of years with no idea if it will ever get into a slush pile – let alone crawl out of one and into a publisher’s warm loving embrace. Then one day you find yourself stuck in an elevator/at a dinner party with your dream publisher. [...]

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All That I Am – Anna Funder

November 8, 2011

Anna Funder’s award-winning debut book ‘Stasiland’ is a fascinating read offering a unique insight into the machinations of the Stasi and those who resisted them within the walls of the former East Germany. Her much anticipated novel ‘All That I Am’ also has a German theme. Set in present day and in pre-war Europe, it [...]

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Russell Brand on Robert McKee’s ‘Story’ Seminar

October 9, 2011

Attended this seminar a couple of years ago and he is spot on! Highly recommended.

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The New Yorker – Fiction Podcast

August 29, 2011

I love listening to fiction being read aloud. There is something so luxurious about being read to, like being a child again. I often download books from Audible and will listen while I’m driving, which is not the best environment to really focus. In fact if you want the ultimate ‘being read to’ experience: snug [...]

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Do I need an agent?

August 17, 2011

Should you seek representation by a literary agent? And – if so – how do you to get one? Here’s my take on it: Pros: Many publishers won’t read unsolicited manuscripts, they prefer the tsunami of the world’s creative outpouring to be filtered through a third party who will only present work that fits their [...]

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The Ship Song Project

August 7, 2011

The design and building of our wonderful Opera House was something of a tragic saga in itself. Now, in an inspired piece of marketing, the folk from the Opera House have created a musical narrative that takes us through the building showcasing the various spaces with it. Nick Cave’s iconic song played throughout this iconic [...]

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The Role of an Editor

August 7, 2011

Often, when I run workshops, people ask me about the role of the editor – never in a good way. For some reason many aspiring writers have it in their heads that editors are people who clip the writer’s wings and dull their creativity with pragmatism and pedantic culling – like auditor from the tax [...]

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Long Shot Magazine

August 1, 2011

I came across Long Shot magazine via Kickstarter where they were crowd-sourcing start-up funding – seemed like an ambitious, creative and daring exercise, so I kicked in. Long Shot is a magazine of the 21st century and beyond. Basically they gather start-up funding, loads of volunteers and find space to create a ‘pop-up’ HQ – [...]

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Meeting of Minds

July 26, 2011

Had quite a day on Sunday when the long planned lunch for all my 12in12 participants finally came to fruition. We met at a funky restaurant called The Winery in Surrey Hills and wined and dined the afternoon away. Most people had never met each other, although some may have attended the same workshop in [...]

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State of Wonder – Ann Patchett

July 20, 2011

Ann Patchett is best known for her award-winning novel ‘Bel Canto’ and will no doubt attract further accolades for her stunning new novel set in the Amazon. The story begins in Minnesota when Marina Singh, an employee of a large pharmaceutical company, is dispatched by her boss to the wilds of Brazilian Rio Negro. Her [...]

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