Just a quick note to say that this is the final full week we have left before the book files are due in Singapore next Tuesday. I spent the better part of yesterday at my designer’s putting it together and the rest of this week will be full of fiddling and tweaking and – I…
She crawls into my lap and asks, “Tell me about when you were little.” And I reply, “I used to only play with trucks and blocks, never dolls. I used to love to eat the jellied top off tinned ham and watch grilled cheese cook in our old stove on the far wall of the…
So, we’re back to lice again. I’ve been putting off writing this one for a while. What’s it been? Two months? Three? No, four months. Four months of on-and-off hell. I will get rid of them for a few weeks and then they’re back again. Twice I took Keira in to the hairdressers to get her…
Here, to be exact. It’s funny, isn’t it? Darren asked me to write this weeks ago – before all the who-ha over this writing award happened. So perhaps it’s kismet; or at least an example of how I’m trying to ‘walk the walk’ as best I can with the voice I’m developing. Come on over…
I have an interview lined up this afternoon with one of the local newspapers to talk about my recent short story win. This will include photographs (gulp). You’d think that I would be dedicating precious mental space to memorising the essence of the story in 20-words-or-less, or thinking up of a tactful, yet convincing and…
My sister is staying with us for a few precious days; days where I might actually be able to claim some mental health time and get out for some air and do some book-related jobs on my own. This is a rarity and I cherish the opportunity immensely. That’s not to say that we don’t…
I am a bit of a ‘blonde’. Yes, I am literally a blonde, albeit with some chemical help, but we all know that’s not what I’m talking about. My friends and family will be able to attest to the fact that although I go through periods of intense concentration when they’re needed, I also can…
It was a wonderful night, full of genuine warmth and bonhomie. I was freezing sitting up the back of the room in a draft; however that wasn’t the reason why I kept trembling. It was nerve-wracking, sitting there listening to an actor read your story and wondering what all the other people thought of it….
Let me see… All essential and non-essential body parts shaved? Check. Hair colour and cut appointment? In a few hours – check. Outfit sorted? Check. Acceptance speech prepared? Not necessary, so I’ve been told. Nerves? Contained – for now. My husband is on babysitting duty tonight as our regular sitter is unavailable. I can’t deny this…
