I had a conversation with Gaz, while slamming my keyboard into oblivion for Nano in 2011, about being a writer. I was trying to express to him what great joy I derive from writing: it's my life's purpose, it's the only thing I truly love, when
Today I am sick and hiding in my office with the window open, trying to cool my skin, which is on fire. I've written just over 10,000 words, which was par for yesterday, but I've not written anything today. I might, just to see what
There is some actual lunacy afoot. When I started writing my current WIP, I had a reasonably clear idea of how the story would unfold. I had outlined part of it, written notes for every main character and created a flowchart of how and when they
Here's a thing I hear people say a lot: Your book will fall flat without believable dialogue. I hear people saying this because I spend a lot of time listening. I didn't start listening because I wanted to improve my writing or anything stupid like that; I'm just
A few weeks ago, I had spent more time than I want to admit opening Scrivener, popping down a hundred words and then thinking that I would become inspired later, that I would know what happens next later. I had gone from actively writing a book to
If you ask my dad how well I respond to criticism, he will not be able to answer you because he'll be lying on the floor, laughing. Historically, taking criticism on board has not been my strong point. I am that interesting combination of believing that
Just writing "I'm so depressed!" over and over doesn't make for much of a read. I know this because I wrote it out a hundred times and then stuck it to my fridge and MY GOD it nearly forced me to stop sneaking chocolate in
I'm writing. Banging away on those keys. I have a splinter in my right middle finger, it pierced through the nail while I was sleeping, which I didn't even think was possible, but I woke up with it in there and now I have a nasty
Because I am a staggeringly good procrastinator, I read a lot about writing and post a lot on writing forums. This helps me to feel like I'm making progress without actually doing any work. But you see, I'm coming unstuck. People keep saying that the core
If I weren't mental, I'd be spending today in a secret laneway bar with my hand inside a man's pocket and my other hand around a drink with a hipster name like 'Pimms No. 1 jar' (because good drinks come in mason jars, also daisies), and I would be listening
We stood by the beach, just me and you and a couple of balloons that were really memories. We stood in the salty air and it stung my eyes and I looked to you to take my hurting away and you hugged me and you were so warm. We stood