storytelling is more than structure—it’s control of tension, pacing, and perspective. These posts explore how stories are shaped, where voice, timing, and restraint determine what is revealed, what is withheld, and how meaning settles long after the final line.
Sweeney Todd is remembered for razors, blood and some deeply suspicious meat pies. Beneath the spectacle, however, lies a darker question: when does understandable revenge become chosen evil? The musical draws us towards a wronged man, then leaves us wondering exactly when our sympathy turned into complicity with his crimes.
Sweeney Todd: Moral Ambiguity Behind the Bloody Horror Read More »
Should independent authors load the car with books and sell them face to face, or build an audience online? Drawing on two very different author events, my own publishing choices, and years of digital promotion, I examine the costs, rewards, missed sales and long-term reach of both marketing paths today.
Should Authors Sell Books in Person or Market Them Online? Read More »
Our DIY bathroom renovation moves from concrete and framing to plumbing, windows and interior work. While the new space slowly takes shape, we keep an ageing shower alive, test the bath’s extra-wide sill with a wine glass, and discover that home improvements rarely follow the neat sequence shown online.
Bathroom Progress: DIY Plumbing, Concreting and Building Renovation Read More »
Newgrange is usually described as a tomb, but its winter-solstice alignment suggests something more deliberate. Could this immense Neolithic monument have served as a calendar, ceremonial centre and gathering place? Step beyond the accepted explanation and explore why Ireland’s ancient builders may have created it for the living, not only the dead.
The Mystery of Newgrange Solved: Tomb, Temple or Ancient Calendar? Read More »
After months of writing and routine, Michael and Margo escape to the theatre for Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision, a gloriously kitsch parody packed with sequins, outrageous songs and audience voting. The night rekindles old stage memories and proves that sometimes writers need spectacle, laughter and creative chaos around them.
Ramping up the Euro-Kitsch with “Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision” Musical Read More »
Why choose an adult cat over a kitten? For me, personality matters more than cuteness. Sharkey and Levi arrived as shelter cats, became family, and quietly accompanied the writing of SEETHINGS—sleeping on my desk, squeezing behind me on my chair, and softening the darker places explored in my fiction.
Choosing Aged Cats Over Kittens Read More »
Australia experiences intense and unpredictable storms that pose significant risks, particularly to drivers. Many fatalities occur when drivers attempt to navigate flooded roads, misjudging the danger. This is exacerbated by the country’s flat terrain, where sudden rainfall can create dangerous conditions in moments. Awareness and caution are crucial for survival.
Surviving Dangerous Storms in Australia Read More »
For three years, I traded clocks and schedules for tides, wind, and weather aboard a thirty-foot yacht. Life at sea stripped away distractions and taught me a different way to live—one guided by nature, simplicity, and self-reliance. This is a reflection on freedom, solitude, and the ocean’s enduring rhythm.
I Once Lived By The Rhythm Of The Sea Read More »
Ever wondered why Australians say they’re “up shit creek without a paddle”? This quirky expression has been getting people out of trouble—or at least describing it—for generations. From bogged utes to forgotten anniversaries, it’s a colourful reminder that sometimes life leaves us drifting, paddle-less, in exactly the wrong direction.
Up Shit Creek Without A Paddle. The Way Aussies Talk. Read More »
The Australian Outback has become a powerful symbol of danger, isolation, and mystery in contemporary fiction. Yet the darkness in my novels lives elsewhere. While vast landscapes inspire many stories, I find greater tension among ordinary people, suburban streets, hidden secrets, and the summer storms rolling across Brisbane.
Why Dark Fiction Doesn’t Need the Australian Outback Read More »