“Why am I doing this? Why am I putting so much of my energy into this? I’m useless. Rubbish. I could give up. Maybe I should give up? It would be the easiest thing in the world to just… stop. No-one is reading my work anyway…” I hear these thoughts in my head very regularly.
Creative Writing
The Sir Julius Vogel Awards
The Sir Julius Vogel awards are fan-voted awards which recognise excellence in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror by writers and creatives in New Zealand. The winners are decided by a vote of the members of the SFFANZ, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Association of New Zealand Inc. Professional nominations can be for: novels, short stories,
Talking About Disability in Fiction
This week I thought I would have a play around with a Video Blog idea, which I have since uploaded to YouTube. What follows are my personal thoughts about my experiences as a Deaf/disabled person, and how I see disabled individuals portrayed in fiction. I talk specifically about science fiction and fantasy, as that’s the
New Releases Coming Soon
I’ve been sitting on this news for a while as I manoeuvred things into position and I figured out what I wanted — and needed — to do. It seems like a strange time to be promoting work, especially with much of the world in turmoil, and while here in New Zealand we are doing
Allowing Time to Grow
Come closer, I want to tell you a secret … *whispers* Here’s something we, in adulthood, don’t often get told. Just because you thought or believed something in your youth and were vocal and passionate about it then, doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind, learn and grow, and be vocal and passionate about new
I Get By
The Beatles knew it was important. They sang a song all about it. And at least fifty other people (including Joe Cocker and Wet, Wet, Wet) covered that song too. The Beatles asked for Help and they would often Come Together, but mostly, they Get by with a Little Help from (their) Friends. For a
My Beloved Monster
The bedroom walls shake as he slams the door behind him. I wait a moment, listening. I hear the throaty roar of a car engine as it turns over and the high-pitched squeal of tyres as he speeds away. I sigh, slump back on the messy duvet and swipe tears from my cheeks. My lip
Bloom
It’s the start of a brand new year – 2020 – and I’ve already thrown myself back into my writing routine and started ticking off my goals. One new story has been submitted to a publisher and another is languishing in the wings, waiting to be polished. I attended my informal writing group last night,
Dear Erica
My last original short fiction offering for 2019, a short story about love and letting go. This story is copyright. Except for the purpose of fair review, no part may be stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including recording or storage in any information retrieval system, without permission
Finders, Keepers
Written in response to the prompt of “sloth” for a seven deadly sins collection, this short was ultimately not accepted. So I’ve polished it up a little and put it here instead. Another Christmas treat, if you will. Milton was loitering outside his local pub, smoking a pungent roll-up, when he saw it fall from