
Writing Residencies: Timing, Planning & Stars Aligning
Well, it’s a long time since I’ve blogged. I haven’t had much to say! I’ve been locked down, head down, or writing down the bones of my manuscript as Natalie Goldberg would say in her excellent writing book of the same name. For the past week and a half, I’ve … Read More

The Year That Wasn’t …
2020 was the year that wasn’t at all what it was supposed to be for many of us. So many plans were cancelled or delayed, or never saw daylight due to lockdowns. But, alongside some major disappointments, the year also brought many positives for me. This post, being February, is … Read More

No Small Shame: The Launch (a slight change of plan!)
The book launch is a rite of passage for a debut novelist. I was that excited about mine for No Small Shame, I booked the launch at Readings Hawthorn way back in December. Back then I had no idea what was coming! Early March I sent out the invitations believing … Read More

#AusChat Christine Bell and Anna Whateley
The idea of being filmed and recorded has always held a minor terror for me. But as I’m fast discovering, when you’ve got a book that you love and believe in, and it’s about to be published, the conversation flows easily – particularly with an excellent host for company. (AKA … Read More

No Small Shame – The Dreaded Edit
The dreaded round one edit for my novel wasn’t so bad! After all! I wasn’t sure what to expect for my first novel-length edit. My previously published work has either been short fiction for children that I can truthfully say had very few changes made to the words, or short … Read More

The Writer is In!
Late last year I fell off the horse – figuratively speaking! Of course! After months of head down, unrelenting focus on trying to get down the first draft of my WIP, one day in early November, I suffered a complete crisis of confidence over where my story was going. And … Read More
Month of Writing Wrap
My Month of Writing is over. Yay! I achieved my goal of adding 25,000-words to my manuscript and met my deadline last Friday 31st August at 7.29pm. (Then I collapsed with exhaustion! And wine!) I only exceeded my goal by a miniscule 93 words but I’m really pleased with the … Read More