Being Edited
After reading Keith Stevenson’s thoughtful piece on the importance of editing, I began thinking about this process from the point of view of a writer. That is, I wanted to share some thoughts with you not on the subject of editing, but on the subject of being edited. This...
GREAT SF AND FANTASY CLICHÉS
If you ever find yourself thinking “Geez, why hasn’t anyone thought of that before?” the answer is: they probably have. And, more to the point, they’ve written a story about it that appeared in Super SF Stories Bumper Xmas Edition 1938. So, if you’re new to the genre –...
Sydney Powerhouse Steam Spectacular
In May this year, as part of the Sydney Writers’ Festival, the Powerhouse Museum invited me to participate in their in their ‘Writer Overnighter’ extravaganza. I’ve written about it here, but here’s a fine photographic pictorial, courtesy of the Powerhouse Museum. ...
I, You, He or She – Some Thoughts on Point of View
In 2003, I wrote the first draft of what was to become Blaze of Glory, the first book in my Laws of Magic series. As I was writing, I was perplexed by how difficult it was. It’s not that I expect writing a 100,000 word novel to be easy...
Definition of a Good Book
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A new Laws of Magic idea
I’m playing around with writing an adult novel – ‘The Laws of Magic’ ten years on. Aubrey, Caroline, George and Sophie in a world startlingly like our own in the Jazz Age, but with magic. Now, I don’t know if this has been done before at all, taking a...
Melbourne Writers’ Festival Schedule
And here’s my Melbourne Writers’ Festival schedule: Sunday 26 Aug 2012 3.00 pm – World Creation: How to Write Fantasy the Professional Way (workshop) Monday 27 Aug 2012 11.15 am – A Beginner’s Guide to Steampunk Wednesday 29 Aug 2012 10.00 am – 10 Futures Thursday 30 Aug 2012...
Dystopias – Why So Popular?
Why Dystopias? I have two suggestions to explain the current popularity of dystopias/post-apocalyptic fiction, especially for teenagers. I understand that dystopic fiction and post-apocalyptic fiction are not necessarily the same thing, but they’re often conflated and I’ll settle for the combination term in this discussion. Firstly, I’ll offer the...
Writers Write: My Favourite Book 29
Jack Heath I have adored so many novels that I regularly change my mind about which is my favourite. On some days I will tell you that it’s Scarecrow, by Matthew Reilly. On others it might be Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, or Dan Well’s I Am Not A Serial Killer,...
Towards Inventing a New Genre
I don’t have to be hit over the head with a trade paperback – or anything else – to understand that it might be a little late to get onboard the Paranormal Romance bandwagon. And I don’t have to be Tased multiple times while trying to explain my stand...