It’s lockdown day #14 in New Zealand, and every afternoon the brave amongst us tune in to watch the press briefing our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, gives in conjunction with Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield. Our PM, as various media here and around the world have pointed out, is giving other world leaders a […]
Loving and losing our children
New Zealand’s appalling youth suicide rate is in the news again, as is our impotency in the face of it. A new UNICEF report has found New Zealand’s youth suicide rate – teenagers between 15 and 19 – to be the highest of a long list of 41 OECD and EU countries. The usual culprits […]
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Inaugural NZ National Writers’ Forum
Stuck in a room full of writers for an entire weekend? It would be some people’s idea of a nightmare. It was my idea of Heaven at the inaugural National Writers’ Forum in Auckland. The forum was the brainchild of the New Zealand Society of Authors (of which I’m a member). Sometimes inaugural events have […]
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Show Business for Shy People
Lee Child once said that “writing is show business for shy people”. This quote resonates with me, particularly at the moment, as I am performing in The Phantom of the Opera at the famous Civic Theatre in Auckland. I’ve been doing musical theatre for many years, but a year or two ago I pulled back from […]
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The Book Exchange
I’ve achieved some rather major literary goals this year, and last night I celebrated with two lovely women. There’s me in the middle. (Those holes in my top are a design feature, not a result of drunken undressing in the dark. I wish.) On the right is Joanna, and to the left is Sara: the […]
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Employing a Professional Proofreader
This is an article I wrote for NZ Business and Management Magazine. It’s in the November issue, which is out now. You’re a business that prides itself on communicating effectively to its clients and prospects. You produce brochures, flyers and other written marketing material. Your website is a major component of your communications plan. Your company produces […]
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Interview With The Author #1
It’s inching ever closer…the day I can announce that I’ve finished my first novel and it’s off being professionally assessed (i.e. savagely ripped apart and chucked back at me in whimpering pieces). My lovely friend Sara (check out her fantastic book-reviewing-blog-with-a-difference here) suggested a while ago that I interview myself about my novel in order to […]
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The Milford Chronicles: Chapter Four
This is the last instalment in my account of walking the Milford Track last month. If you’ve just joined me, you may want to read Chapters One – Three before this one. Chapter Four: Day 4: Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point Breakfast was followed by goodbyes. We were all departing at different times for Sandfly […]
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The Milford Chronicles: Chapter Three
Chapter Three: Day 3: Mintaro Hut to Dumpling Hut A cheeky committee of keas woke us early on Day Three. They perched on the outdoor tables, eying us as we emerged to go to the toilet. We had been warned to hang up our boots and take all our belongings inside or these mischievous birds could […]
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