Inspired by the night sky

The images released by NASA of Pluto this week leave me awestruck. It reminds me all over again of the melancholy I feel staring into the deepness of the night sky. I wonder of a time when human kind didn't spend our nights mesmerized by a TV screen, but instead watched the sky turns through … Continue reading Inspired by the night sky

Geographies: On the Contrary

I used to read a lot of online fiction and then life got diverted and the habit faded. Now I have come back to it, I always pleased to find online presses that have survived while I was elsewhere engaged.  Contrary Magazine is one I am please to pick up the habit of again. Contrary, … Continue reading Geographies: On the Contrary

When a song is a story #2: A Dark Place

I have been thinking more about stories in songs and to contrast to my last offering From Little Things Big Things Grow which is uplifting, I thought - let us go visit the dark side and my personal king of darkness Nick Cave.  His album Murder Ballads  has a enough dark stories for any fan … Continue reading When a song is a story #2: A Dark Place

It’s Better in the Bahamas

Drabble is a short work of fiction - 100 words or less.  Good drabble does not always follow the traditional beginning, middle and end of story telling.  A good bit of drabble might just leave the reader with a feeling of poignancy, or a gasping glimpse into a place or a person.  Much like poetry, … Continue reading It’s Better in the Bahamas

When a song is a story #1

I have been lucky enough to spend my Easter long weekend at Bryon Bay Bluesfest. Sweating and dancing in a humid tent with great music and mud and people you love - there can't be anything else better in the world. The festival got me thinking about my favourite childhood songs.  Australian folk songs like … Continue reading When a song is a story #1

Loosing touch with technology

I am old enough to remember when you could not record television - let alone download it from this thing called the Internet. If I stop and think about it, I am stunned by the speed of change. Remember those mobile phones that were the size of a loaf of bread? Remember when Google wasn't even … Continue reading Loosing touch with technology

Junior Takes It | Tin House – A story that makes me shudder

This little story makes me shudder.  It is unbelievable and yet...oh but it could happen! Despite the story's simple language there is a real sense of menace. You know those articles you read in the paper about children being abused and you can't believe adults can be so stupid, or mean or self-centered? You can … Continue reading Junior Takes It | Tin House – A story that makes me shudder

Margaret Atwood proves short stories are alive and kicking

A prolific favourite author of mine, Margaret Atwood proves again that the short story is alive and kicking.  This year she released Stone Mattress a collection of nine tales.  I am so excited, but silly me I decided to choose this book for my book club.  If I read it too soon it won't be fresh … Continue reading Margaret Atwood proves short stories are alive and kicking

Short Story from author of The Slap

Read Petals by Christos Tsiolkas Most people know Christos Tsiolkas because of his book The Slap.  If not the book, then people know of the slapping of young Hugo from the television series on ABC TV - and hot of the press it is set to be remade by NBC for American audiences. I love the description of The Slap as … Continue reading Short Story from author of The Slap