Rediscovering art, writing and raising grandchildren

  12 days in a caravan   Our great, family summer adventure north along Australia’s eastern coast commenced for the four of us with our hire of a lightweight 1600kg caravan through - Camplify ( https://www.camplify.com.au ) which in turn led us to our local provider – Outback 2 Sea ( https://outback2sea.com.au ) run by Greg and his family.     Despite Outback 2 Sea’s great website and images supplied, Greg permitted us to drop by for a firsthand look at what we might expect to hire.    We chose the Serendipity. All insurances are covered. Spacious bed & bunk beds. Greg was professional, friendly, thorough in his explanations, knowledgeable and made himself available to answers any questions by text or mobile after we collected our hire van.   Being first-timers hiring a caravan, what followed were new experiences, as was our intent. Our 2020 Mazda BT-50 easily pulled the van north to Emu Park outside Yeppoon, where we stayed for four nights at Fisherman’s Beach caravan park. Towing

I’m sitting at the kitchen table early one morning late last year, staring at my Mac, trying to get my head around this blogging caper, when Mr Seven year-old approaches me clutching a book. “P-oooop?” I know from experience, the longer the ‘ oooop ’, the bigger the question he will ask. “Yes, mate. What have got there?” “A book on ancient Egypt, see.” He proudly hands me a thin, illustrated children’s book from the school library. “Wow, that’s impressive.” “Did you and Nan ever live in ancient Egypt?” Having a quick flick through, I say. “Well, I’m ancient, true and might easily have fitted in. But, Nan’s way too young to have lived there. Why, mate?” “They had lot’s of slaves back then, didn’t they to make beds, cook and look after kids?”   “That’s what’s in this book, why’s that, mate?” “Slaves did everything for them, didn’t they? Like making things and cleaning.” “I guess so, mate.” “You and Nan, you’re just the slaves back then only to me and Ayden.” “Ver

The question you ask about seeking reviews caused me a lot of anguish back in the day. I was quite naïve, wondering how to proceed in a manner that most benefited me with an outcome that improved my work.   I trawled through writing organisation sites looking at advertisements. Subsequently, I sought out a professional reviewer. That cost me money, time, and frustration at the poor response I received. Two more times I sought reviews, only to receive inadequate advice.   Look closely at the reviewer and what is offered. Ignore their testimonials, they’re never going to present you with a bad one. Ask yourself, what is it this person will do for my dollar before you invest?   Before I write more, I will provide you with advice on a paid way forward, and a free way to understanding your writing needs.   The paid way. Investigate the reviewer as if you were creating a character from several explored sources. Is this person working in the genre you write in? No good asking a romance review

Write with passion, edit like a sword-swinging barbarian, and review with the purpose of continuous improvement.    You are not done until you have tortured yourself about dialogue, scene-setting and characterisation.    When it is polished to perfection and your vision shines onto your intended audience, you will know it is time to submit.  

  Congratulations on deciding to write your first novel, and thanks for reaching out. Many find writing a novel a daunting prospect, yet are compelled by some unknown force to do so. For others, it is an act of pure joy.  Whatever your starting point, I wish you well developing your project, and pray I will see your work on the best sellers list shortly. As we have not discussed your starting point, I will offer advice on my style, developed over several years. Most important to me are two tasks — writing and editing. I suggest you find that time to write that works for you.  Later, make more time to reflect to edit with a critical eye. What works for me, is rising early. I brew a pot of coffee while the family sleep, and study what I last wrote. The first task, edit dialogue into engaging, meaningful words relevant to my plot. I will hit other editing high points when I write next. At this early point in your writing, a constant reappraisal of your work is a must. You

  Interview with Greythorn   Who are you?   Greythorn is my name. I was a former Ruins dweller and inhabitant of the Brizarian forest. Now Neckar-Master Spy and Chief Assassin to Rhyka Hawk-Wing, lord and master of Protectorate Marutchi. Who am I, the truth is more complicated than you could imagine?  My enemies would say a coldblooded killer, dedicated to protecting the interests of my Protectorate. Others might call me their saviour, but I'm guessing that is a matter of perspective, whether you're looking down the blade I hold or up at it.  You may read of my infamous rise to serve my current master throughout Book I, The Rise of Rhyka Hawk-Wing, Scavenger Lord and later, in Book II, Artefact War, The Rise of Rhyka Hawk-Wing. As best I can recollect, I've seen some sixty summer's come'n go since I was born in the ruins east of the city of Brizaria. Fifty years of warfare have battered and burnt me into what I am today. I wasn't such a pleasant fellah in Book I

     Why write about Werewolves, and predominantly, Vampires? Simple really, the opportunity to flesh out a story within a dystopian world was an opportunity not to be missed.       As I wrote, I considered contemporary fictional history, inserting my own view of an alternative history of Vampire and Werewolf culture. The big question for me was, if these exotic creatures exist in real-time, how do they fly under the radar in a modern world? Hence, my version The Lore Giver - The Vampire Book of Lore.     The novel commences with a conversion from human to vampire, along with the death of an aged vampire, the introduction of a tense relationship with Werewolves, and the creation of a new personality for the converted. The novel slips easily through time, offering a reader, my glimpse into ancient times of Vampire and Werewolf folk lore.     I trust it is an enjoyable read. When I have the time, I work on Book II - Avenger. Happy to hear suggestions arising from Book I for inclusion int