blog
It’s time to descend
Last time Trump won, in 2016, I encouraged, rallied, gave the pep talk. I called you to stand up, be loud, be the change you wanted to see in the world. I said it was more important than ever to hold the light, have your say, raise your voice. And it was. But this...
It’s not your fault you’ve not written your book
Oh October. You sly, sneaky little month. Just hanging out like “nothing to see here, it’s just me. Just your friend October.” We’re in between the extremes: not quite summer in the southern hemi, not quite winter in the north. Just an in between sort of vibe. And...
Anger & Activism
I’m angry because Sinéad O’Connor is dead. I’m angry because she wasn’t looked after, when she should have been. I’m angry because all the effort; the pain; the raising of her voice; the effort to keep looking at the pain of the world when looking away would be...
Main Character Energy
I’ve been thinking lately about my life – must come with being in my mid-40s – and it occurred to me that I wasn’t giving myself main character status in my own life. I think that’s something that happens to a lot of people who are enculturated as women in our society...
Why defining your reader is crucial to writing a successful book
You’ve got a message to get out there into the world. You know you need to write a book. Also? You know you need to have it done yesterday. This book needs to be out there, helping people, changing lives, making a difference, entertaining. It’s doing nothing while...
Your Book Structure
If you get your book structure right, you'll write more easily and your reader will be looked after. It's a win/win! What is structure? Lots of people use the words "structure" and "plan" interchangeably. This is fine, except to me they're separate things....
Following the nudge: write your book using creative flow
How do you write your book when you’re *also* trying to follow the creative flow? Do they work together? Or once you’ve got the inspiration, does it need a bit of the old discipline to get it done? I’ve been talking to a few people behind the scenes...
The very *state* of things
If you’ve been paying any sort of attention to world events in the last week-plus-change then you might be feeling a little heavy right now. You might feel other things too. Ragey. Inadequate. Despondent. Writing might feel like you’re wading...
Writer’s block: how to unblock your writing flow
I think we’ve all been there: the dreaded writer’s block. “Help,” you might think, “why am I doing this again?” It’s important to know you’re not alone if you’re wondering how to get through writer’s block. It’s a really common thing that the authors I work...
How long should my book be?
Some of the most common questions people ask me are: “How long should my book be?”, “How many pages is a ‘proper’ book?” and “How thick should my book be?” You’d think I’d get questions about how long it takes to write a book, but that’s not the usual question. It...
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I acknowledge and pay my respects to the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation who are the traditional and ongoing custodians of the land on which I live and work.
I pay my respects to their elders: past, present and emerging, and I acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.