Down but Not Out: musings on the US election.

Politics is something I consider to be incredibly important. Every three or four years we as democratic citizens have the opportunity to elect someone who will guide our nation down one path or another, and perhaps now more than ever, the world finds itself increasingly at a crossroads. With the window to prevent the most devastating effects of climate change quickly closing, and increasing tensions and unrest between certain nations, having a level-headed, forward-thinking leader who listens to their advisers and makes policies based off evidence, not ideologies, is paramount.

Unfortunately, my country failed to do that this year.

Review: Liberation Kitty Slayer

Debuting at the Oz Asia Festival in Adelaide year was the debut film for Calima Studios; Liberation Kitty Slayer. This film company was founded by Flinders alum Manuel Ashman, and this film serves as an excellent demonstration of his skill as a writer and director.

LGBTQ+ Characters: How you should (and shouldn’t) write them

Definitely a good guideline for writing more diversity, and doing it properly.

Lisandra Linde

Thought about adding a little diversity to your writing? Worried that you don’t have what it takes to write LGBTQ+ characters? Well, my friends- its time you gave it a shot.

Disclaimer: This is by no means a comprehensive list of things to keep in mind but it should (hopefully) give you some ideas of what to do (and not do). Also, it is geared mainly to people who do not identify as LGBTQ+- but my fellow queer writers, feel free to join this little voyage (we can always have a rant in the comments about how irritating the lack of representation in fiction is)

Luckily you won’t have to- because you can write LGBTQ+ characters without being queer

*Gif credit: Giphy.com

In General

1. Don’t be afraid to write about characters who are different to you

   It might be a little daunting to write about characters whose sexual and gender…

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National Young Writers Festival 2016

Over the September-October long weekend, I traveled to Newcastle, NSW (not the one in the UK. I’m not made of money) for the annual National Young Writers Festival. Now in it’s 19th year , it’s one of the largest gatherings of writerly and artistic young people in the country (Australia). It’s hard to describe exactly what happened at this festival, and everyone’s experiences are going to be different (because there’s just so much to do you really can’t possibly do it all), but here’s a basic summary if you’re thinking of checking it out next time.

Book Review: The Last Guard (Southern Star 1) by K.J.Taylor

*Note: I was given a free ebook copy for the purpose of reviewing*

 

The Last Guard follows the journey of Sergeant Kearney “Red” Redguard, a proud and loyal guardsman of Liranwee, one of the larger Southern towns of Cymria. Things quickly turn sour as King Caedmon Taranisaii of the North launches an attack, trying to take the South for once and for all. The humans share this fantasy world with the mighty Griffins, magical and aggressive beasts who seek out partnerships with powerful and notable humans to secure their own dominance. Both the North and South have their griffiners, and battles play out both on the ground and in the sky as flesh and feathers clash with steel and magic.

Book Review: The Wizardry of Jewish Women by Gillian Polack

Note: I was given a free ebook version of this book for the purpose of reviewing.

SOME SPOILERS AHEAD

Following the lives of three women in the east coast of Australia, The Wizardry of Jewish Women examines love, family, and the relationships in between, inter-weaved with a mystical power that stretches across generations.

My 8-year problem novel

Writing is hard.

Anyone who writes knows that. When you’re young its easier. You don’t understand exactly what you’re undertaking. You don’t know about stereotypes or cliches or representation. You’ve probably read a lot, so you know what stories you like. Inadvertently  (or vertently) you imitate those stories, maybe make yourself the main character, and its all super fun.

With age, with education, comes awareness.

Hooking for (Mental) Health: Craft Therapy

So last year I undertook my Honours in Creative Writing. Last year my anxiety hit its peak, worse than I’d ever experienced it. Last year I learned how to crochet.

It’s no coincidence these three events happened in that order. It’s a rare occasion where correlation IS causation. After finding myself a wreck of stress and health-related paranoia, I happened to stumble upon a friend who was starting a crochet class on Sunday afternoons. Eager for procrastination and something to do on Sundays other than waste hours on facebook, I went along.

Toy Wars

Starwars: The Force Awakens is one of the most successful movies of all time, having broken the records for highest and fastest grossing films, and biggest opening weekend. And of course it is; it was one of the most highly anticipated sequels in one of the biggest franchises ever. It’s a work of pure genius that combines the nostalgia and snappy humour of the originals and improved script writing and modern filming technology, having learned from the mistakes of the prequels. It’s also the most diversely cast of the films, with a woman, a British-black man AND Guatemalan actor featured in the main cast. Main cast! Not just in the background or as forgettable side characters (face it, no one REALLY cares about Lando Calrissian).