THE MARK OF THE CONDEMNED

I've started a new short story called "The Mark of the Condemned". How does that sound? I might alter that later if another title suggests itself to me. It is another science fiction story that would lend itself quite nicely to a novel some time in the future... hint... hint. As if I haven't enough to do right now!

I reviewed some of my Shadow Runners yesterday. I'm getting close to the climax of the novel. Pretty exciting. I have to be careful to draw in all the threads of the story.

Back to the poetry book. Yesterday I also reviewed a book of poetry I'm putting together for Xmas. So far so good. I included my pantoum -- just for fun. I've got some nice covers and everything is set to go. I'll probably print a couple out today to see what they look like. I still have to do some illustrating for some of the pages. That should be fun.

OK. That's all on the writing front this week. I think I have enough to keep me busy for a while.

That's the point, though, isn't it. You just have to stick at it and write, write, write. Now that I'm getting right into it, I'm really enthused again and my writing has improved because of all the work I've been doing.

Catch y'all later!

Geoff with Tiger at 10 weeks old. 

Geoff with Tiger at 8 weeks old 

Sword of Anubis

I sent the short story “The Sword of Anubis” off this morning to a magazine. Keep your fingers crossed. I rewrote it for the umpteenth time and finally was satisfied enough to send it.

I’ve run out of old stories to revamp now, so I’ll have to finish off a few of those stories I have hanging around half written.

It’s not such a good day here today. It started out raining, then the sun came out, now I think it is just about to pour down again. Very weird. Very springish.

Our plans for making hay while the sun shone have fallen in a heap. While we waited for the land to dry up enough to get the tractors on, the grass grew too long and fouled up all the equipment. Now we’ll have to strip graze it a bit at a time. The cattle will love it.

Pity about not being able to stock pile a bit more hay for tougher times, though. We still have some left from last season, but everyone knows how quickly you can go through that.

Oh well, with the floods and all, at least we have plenty of water.

Ah, sigh. Such is the farming life.

Okay, so now its back to writing again. Maybe I can get some poems sent off before Xmas.

Cheers.

Australian Community Writers

Australian Community Writers Inc.
President’s Report
November 2005

Well… we’ve made it through another year. And what a successful year it’s been for us.

Our conference and short story competition were both enthusiastically supported by members and non-members alike.

We hope to see these events continue to grow throughout the next few years as the A.C.W. grows in membership and in support.

I’ve been doing a little writing of my own lately. It’s been a while since I’ve written short stories and poetry for competitions and anthologies, but… ta-daaah… I’ve managed to write and re-write a few and I’ve actually sent them off. Keep your fingers crossed.

My novel has been left in limbo for a few months, so I have to get back to that as well. Since the writing bug has bitten me, I’d better take advantage of the poison and write, write, write.

And… guess what…?

I have even started a BLOG.

Yeah, I know, very corny, but have you ever tried one? It’s great. You get to jot down what you’re thinking at the time, just like in a real diary, only on-line. Of course, mine is about what I’m thinking about my novels, stories, plot lines and characters – nothing really personal – well, most of the time it isn’t deeply personal.

Cheers for now.

Until next time… keep writing, reading and loving every minute of it.

My soul-sister Kaye [on the left] and I at my place in November. I'm the shorter one. 

Vampires Gypsies

Vampires & Gypsies

My short story, “Shadow on the Crystal” is at last rewritten and ready to send away. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I love a good Gypsy vampire story.

I think I’ll stick to contemporary times for my next short story, though. The research for historical times and settings is horrendous.

I’m also going to get a few poems ready for sending away. That should keep me busy for a while.

Unfortunately, while I’m busy doing all that, I’m not finishing off “Shadow Runners” – and I really have to get that done and rewritten very soon. My goal was to have it finished by the end of this year. I’d better get my bum into gear.

So… “hi ho, hi ho, a-writing we will go…”.

Anniversary Blues

Anniversary Blues

This is insane! It’s supposed to be our 25th Wedding Anniversary and I’m supposed to be able to sit back, relax and enjoy the day as my friends and family treat us to a special celebration.

Instead, I’ll be the one running around doing all the work, making and serving all the food and cleaning up afterwards. I’m really pissed off about this. [Not that you could tell, huh?]

No-one has even had the decency to organize a nice cake for us.

My ELBs -  ‘ever loving bridesmaids’ - were supposed to organize everything as a surprise for us. They dumped all the worry on our kids who don’t have the money or the time to do this, nor do they live here, which makes it very difficult for them. Now, I’ve ended up doing it all and have been left to pay for everything as well. So much for being treated to a special day! Huh!

Above all else I HATE INSINCERITY.

I loathe the fact that the ELBs are sitting back laughing and sniggering about what they’ve done. How could they be so cruel? They know we don’t have the money to hire caterers. They know I have to do it all myself. This is just not fair. I even asked one ELB if she would help me organize a cake. She just laughed and said there were cake decorators in the yellow pages.

YOU BET I’M PISSED OFF!!!

This is NOT going to go unpunished. Revenge has surfaced in my usually mild mannered accepting peaceful mind.

I don’t know how just yet, but justice is coming. They’d better look out!

If I can handle an alien love scene, I can handle the ELBs.

[Insert evil laugh here]

My Very First Pantou

My Very First Pantoum

Land Dreaming

Beyond the dreaming land,
ardent sunsets weave
magic bands of promises
upon this canvass scape.

Ardent sunsets weave
the colour of tomorrow’s songs
upon this canvass scape
in reds and blues that waltz to tunes unheard.

The colour of tomorrow’s songs –
magic bands of promises
in reds and blues that waltz to tunes unheard
beyond the dreaming land.

My very first pantoum
© Friday, September 30, 2005



OK. So it’s not perfect yet, but at least I’m giving it a go.

PANTOUM OR NOT PANTO

PANTOUM OR NOT PANTOUM

And I used to think haikus were tough!

Have you ever tried a pantoum? Challenge is one word to describe it. There are a few other words that spring to mind though.

Well, I’ve never shrunk from a challenge, so… a pantouming we go.