Category Archives: Writing

Thoughts on Planning a Novel

I’ve been trying to write a novel for several years now.  I’ve got 4 first drafts of it, all of them bad, but they’re getting better.  Had I published it several years ago, I would be unable to read it … Continue reading

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Filed under Becoming a Full Time Writer, Writing

New Humorous Column In The Gladstone Observer

Today a new column appeared in The Observer, Thirsty Cow.  It was quite well written, and funny.  This is fortunate for the Cow, because the column was sitting under the sub-heading, ‘Humour’. My column was bounced today for a local lady … Continue reading

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Filed under Columns, Gladstone Observer Columns, Writing

The Legacy – A short (ish) story

Hi all!  This week I’m up to my eyeballs with the National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo), so I decided to publish this instead of a blog.  I wrote it a few years ago.  The character is based on my Uncle Les.  I hope … Continue reading

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Filed under Short Stories, Writing

Nanowrimo – It begins again…

Well, I’ve done it again and signed up for another Frantic November of scribbling in the great National Novel Writers Month event.  This year, I actually have a plot!!!  Which will be a pleasant change from having a ‘vague idea … Continue reading

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Filed under Nanowrimo, Writing

Novel Plot Outlining

I’ve been hacking away at my novel/s, and have found myself stumbling over the same problem again and again; Plot Outline. In the past, I have usually sat down and just hammered out my stories, having a vague idea of where I … Continue reading

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Fish ‘n Kids

Some years ago, Big Mate and I were enjoying a few social drinks and recalling the various fish we’d caught over the years.  As the port flowed, the fish got bigger, the lines lighter, and the struggles to land them … Continue reading

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Filed under Columns, Gladstone Observer Columns, Writing

End Game

Watching recent financial trends is making me a little worried.  So worried in fact, that I’ve been considering converting all my shares into solid gold.  I wonder how much gold my one dollar and thirty five cents will buy these … Continue reading

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Filed under Columns, Writing

Oz Politics Dead in the Water

Recently a whale carcass washed up on Facing Island and, having never seen a whale up close, I thought I’d go and have a look, and maybe prod it a little with a stick.  Because lurking inside all men is … Continue reading

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Filed under Columns, Writing

Botanic to Bridge Fun Run – Gladstone Observer Column 30.08.10

Last Sunday I joined several fellow Gladstonians for the inaugural Botanic to Bridge run.  4500 of them!  Go Gladstone! Training was hindered by things totally beyond my control: bad weather, sleep ins, dicky knee, an election, potato chip eating contests, … Continue reading

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Filed under Columns, Writing

Mondays’ Column – Childs’ Play 23.8.10

“Your father doesn’t play games of chance, he complains he’s unlucky,” explained Long Suffering Wife to the Littlest Princess the other night.  This is true.  I haven’t played cards since the great Gin Rummy annihilation of ’93, and that’s all … Continue reading

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Filed under Columns, Writing