Bouddi National Park A good friend and glorious writer admitted this week to being ‘at sea’ with her writing. Traditionally published with no shortage of accolades or experience, she is currently pitching her new novel—her baby—to agents and publishers. And so far she’s had to deal with several rejections and worse: silence. In an attempt…… Continue reading How to write through rejection and silence
Category: Reading
Small acts of validation: the importance of connecting with readers
Photo by Immortal shots on Pexels.com The business of being a writer is inherently disappointing if your mark of success is achieving traditional publication or winning prizes. Although many of us harbour these desires, these glittering goals, the reality is that few writers, even successful ones, end up collecting a pile of accolades. Or sales.…… Continue reading Small acts of validation: the importance of connecting with readers
Books on writing that are actually worth reading
A few months ago I reached out to the wonderful writing community on Twitter. I had just finished the messy first draft of a novel and wanted to learn more about narrative structure before tackling an edit. Unsurprisingly, I was inundated with recommendations of books about the craft of writing. The response was so helpful,…… Continue reading Books on writing that are actually worth reading
Top five memorable reads of 2018
In keeping with the tradition I started last year, rather than compiling a best-of-2018 reading list, I’ve put together a list of five books that have surprised me, have taught me something valuable at the right time, or were memorable for some other reason. Here they are, in no particular order. Bird by Bird, Anne…… Continue reading Top five memorable reads of 2018
Taking stock: the importance of reflecting on the writing journey
Social media feeds display a carefully curated view of other people’s lives. It’s easy to become bogged down in the extraordinary achievements of Twitter friends, and feel that you’re floundering. Left behind on the slush pile while others forge ahead with their brilliant literary careers. In view of that feeling, and a few recent rejections…… Continue reading Taking stock: the importance of reflecting on the writing journey
Favourite books from childhood and why I’ll never reread them
Image from flickr.com/photos/peonieandthistle/8184709931 As a child, there was rarely a moment when I didn’t have my head buried in a book. Of course, they were simpler times—BC (before computers)—but I imagine I would have been a bookworm regardless of other distractions. My kids still manage to read voraciously despite the constant lure of screens.…… Continue reading Favourite books from childhood and why I’ll never reread them
Book review—Anaesthesia: The Gift of Oblivion and the Mystery of Consciousness, by Kate Cole-Adams
Text Publishing, 2017, ISBN: 9781925498202 This is the book that I was planning to write, and the book that I could never have written. As an anaesthetist and a writer, I’m fascinated by the subject of consciousness and the concept of how anaesthetic agents work on the brain to alter it. I’ve even toyed…… Continue reading Book review—Anaesthesia: The Gift of Oblivion and the Mystery of Consciousness, by Kate Cole-Adams
Lisa Kenway 