It has been a busy month for me. I was absolutely delighted to be accepted for a lighthouse residency and am heading there to write for a whole week in June. My Furious Fiction story, The Truth about the Tooth Fairy made their showcase and then another one of my novels, The Family, long listed in The Hawkeye Unpublished Manuscript Award. Writing is like that. Long months of drought followed by unexpected and delightful wins that make the heart sing with joy. The secret is to keep writing and rewriting allowing the process of creativity to find the magic waiting to take shape in your imagination.
With the publication of my book getting closer, I have reached the exciting stage of getting a cover designed, sending in my bio, dedication, and acknowledgments. The hardest part was contacting other authors and asking for endorsements. Reaching out to authors whose books I love and asking them to read my debut and give feedback was very challenging and I found myself well outside my comfort zone. Every single person I asked was generous and kind. I guess they have all been there too. None of us starts out with a string of publications let alone a bestseller under our belt. What really made me smile though, is author Cass Moriarty reminding me I am now part of the BrisLitMafia. I have never been more delighted to be part of a group. I might even have badges made up. Thank you to everyone who has supported my writing, editing and journey to publication to date. I used to think writing the books was the hard part! Read Newsletter here |
I’m not sure about you, but over the past twelve months, I’ve had times where I really felt helpless and disempowered by world events. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the horror unfolding in Gaza, and learning that COP28 was headed by Sultan al-Jaber, the head of the United Arab Emirates State-owned oil firm, all made me feel that it is impossible for me to make a difference.
Every year, we attend the Woodford Folk Festival where for seven days we immerse ourselves in music, workshops, and presentations about a whole range of topical issues. This year, we attended a talk by Brisbane’s first Green party councillor Jonathan Sriranganath entitled, The Radical Potential of Local Councils. I learnt so much and realised that we do have agency and can have a big local impact if we are engaged and become involved in what is happening in our community. You don’t have to be a supporter of any political party to get a lot out of his talk. You will learn about the enormous leverage we have as individuals to make significant changes. Make yourself a cuppa, sit back and listen to how you can change your world for the better. read newsletter here |
My exciting news is that I just received my line edit back for 'The Truth about My Daughter,' so I will spend time over the festive season doing the finish touches to my novel getting it ready for release in 2024. Who knew that hard work could be so much fun!
The Brisbane Scribes, my gang of wordsmiths, celebrated the end of the year with a Christmas party at the gorgeous restaurant, Babylon. If you are a writer, thinking about writing, dabbling with words, or sweating over a manuscript, do make sure you find a tribe of like-minded dreamers and scribblers and commit to seeing them regularly. It is not only enjoyable but necessary when dipping your toe into the world of words. The writing space can be a tough and lonely place littered with rejections, dead end roads and tough feedback and you need others who understand and provide a scaffolding when it all seems too hard. Read Newsletter Here |
On November 12, I was privileged to attend the launch of award-winning author, Peter Long’s latest book, Identity – Larry Cummins Bushranger.
It was such a great event. Peter wrote this novel following a family funeral where it emerged that his family were not all descended from the eminent Bonython clan of South Australia as he had always believed. It turns out that his family tree included an Irish rogue, the bushranger Larry Cummins. I thoroughly enjoyed Peter’s first book, Steve Hart, The Last Kelly Standing and his new novel, Identity is a real page turner. Peter immerses the reader in mid 1800’s colonial Australia with evocative details about the thrill and fear that was the bushranger life. The tale is told from different points of view including the women in Larry's life. This range of perspectives results in a vivid portrayal of this brutal chapter in our history. From the hold up of a mail coach in the opening pages, the reader is swept along in the lives of Peter’s characters as the day-to-day reality of their survival is revealed in cinematic style. Do yourself a favour and get a copy. And add one or two to gift as Christmas presents. Read Newsletter Here |
The November newsletter is coming to you from Japan where hubby and I are enjoying our first overseas holiday without our children. We have just walked a section of the Kumano Kodō pilgrimage trail together. It gives me goosebumps to follow in the footsteps of thousands of others who have sought enlightenment, fresh wisdom, or spiritual refreshment. The trail requires a good level of fitness with long hilly, rocky sections but the scenery is breathtaking.
Read Newsletter Here |
The first big project I took on as a writer was during the pandemic. I had done a couple of writing courses, written a first draft of a manuscript, and listed in a couple of competitions when the world as we knew it changed in ways that we could not have imagined. Working as a GP, I was in the front line when things started to unravel and have a vivid memory of consulting with a patient who overnight lost eighteen months of business. He ran a bus company with a full schedule of tours booked over a year ahead.
I knew this was a historical moment and contacted my friend, Jane Connolly, an experienced editor, and former children’s book council judge. I suggested we start collecting stories about people’s experiences. Read Newsletter Here |
Welcome to my very first newsletter where I hope you will find something to inspire you. I will include snippets of running lore and how it helps me with my writing as well as some GP wisdom to keep you healthy and well.
I love reading about writer’s quirks, their processes, and their interests outside of writing and will let you into my world each month to give you an idea what happens behind the scenes in the life of a GP who writes and runs... Read more here -> |