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3 Precepts of Good Character Arcs
Characters are what make stories. Without characters — to react to stimuli, or to overcome or get broken by obstacles — stories are just a string of meaningless events. F. Scott Fitzgerald famously stated that character is plot and plot is character. I guess this means that characters are the core of good storytelling —…
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3 Must Read Books for Authors
Just about every author who’s made their name has at some point penned a book on how to write. There are, literally, thousands to choose from. I’ve read quite a few; and there are quite a few more I still wish to read. The best, I feel, are the ones that offer advice that can…
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3 Essential Podcasts for Writers
Podcasts, in case you missed it, are the dog’s bollocks at the moment. You can pretty much find one for any topic — from the finer points of needlework to the history of heavy metal to star gazing to lawn care. Somewhere along that spectrum lies the world of writing and publishing. Now, you could…
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The Importance of Community
Last year, an editor friend of mine asked me to take part in the Australian Speculative Fiction Snapshot 2016. The SF Snapshot is a biennial project, interviewing authors in the Australian speculative fiction industry — capturing their recent work, awards and professional milestones. A team of 16 of us — led by the indefatigable Tehani…
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3 Reasons You Need a Writing Group
I love my writing group. A writing group, I feel, is essential to the success of a newbie writer — especially one who wants to progress to author. My group is an eclectic bunch of wannabe best-selling authors and hobby writers, spanning genres and years of service to the muse. And recently I had reason…
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Why Harry Potter is So Good
J K Rowling is a master of the art. Not really a revelation, I know. But having read one of her books for the first time recently, it blew my mind how devastatingly good her story-telling is. But what makes it so good? As a writer, I’m supposed to be able to read analytically. But,…
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How to Learn to Love Imposter Syndrome
I hate my writing. Don’t get me wrong. I love the creative process — discovering new characters, putting them through seven kinds of hell, hauling them back from the brink at the most dramatic moment. And I’m also hooked on that rush of finally nailing the various story arcs — when all the plot points…
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The Inspiration Behind ‘The Banksia Boys’
As a reader, I love hearing about the inspiration behind stories. Years ago, while travelling, I picked up Stephen King’s Nightmares and Dreamscapes, and was enthralled with the appendix, where he detailed his sources of inspiration for each story in the collection. And having just sold my story ‘The Banksia Boys’ to Andromeda Spaceways Magazine…
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The Key to Finishing
After a long, hard slog, of over three years, I very recently finished a zeroth draft of my novel — with a work-in-progress title of Through the Dragon’s Teeth. (It is fantasy set on the high seas — treacherous waters, blockade running, swash-and-buckle.) And while I recognise that I’ve only completed a zeroth draft, and…
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Best of 2016
While scanning my Goodreads libraries, looking for a new read, I found myself reminiscing about some of the books I’ve particularly enjoyed this past year. And so, given our proximity to Christmas, I thought I’d share a few stand-outs… A Plunder of Souls by D. B. Jackson Ethan Kaille is a thieftaker and a conjurer…