Writing routines and celebrating baristas

Last weekend I had the pleasure of celebrating my writing achievements with my favourite barista. When I was writing Cassandra I had a slightly OCD writing routine (only 2 days a week sadly) that went like this: 7.40am drop kids in town to meet school bus Visit Denise at Cafe Kiks and get a coffee … Continue reading Writing routines and celebrating baristas

Pretty Baby, Ugly Baby and book reviews

Have you ever seen an ugly baby? I was never one of those clucky women who melted at the sight of a baby. But, I don't think I have ever seen an actual ugly baby. As I have been comparing the publishing and writing process to being pregnant and giving birth, the next logical analogy … Continue reading Pretty Baby, Ugly Baby and book reviews

Yoga, writing and Azorbaloff

It wasn't until the week before my book launch that I thought to tell my yoga teacher how much her classes had influenced my book - even though there is no yoga in the book. I have been doing yoga for 19 years! I am crap at meditating. My mind is highly distractible. Over the … Continue reading Yoga, writing and Azorbaloff

Who was Cassandra of Troy?

Cassandra by Evelyn De Morgan (1898, London); Cassandra in front of the burning city of Troy at the peak of her insanity. [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons When people ask - What is your book about? - I give the short version. My book is a reimagining of the story of prophetess Cassandra of Troy. My … Continue reading Who was Cassandra of Troy?

Grandma’s poison arum lily

Today I went to the supermarket to buy milk and came home with a calla lily. I did not think twice. As soon as I saw it, I picked it up and put it in my trolley because it reminded me of my grandmother. This a photo of my grandmother in her garden, the farm … Continue reading Grandma’s poison arum lily

The REAL 1980s

Me with a cool perm and a trendy Mango t-shirt circa 1982 Someone asked me why I had set my book Cassandra in the 1980s. It was a no-brainer really, first of all, I was a teenager in the 1980's so I figured I could pull that off. Secondly, Cassandra can predict the future. I could have … Continue reading The REAL 1980s

Publication Day

I think most writers are quiet about their ambition. It's a big ambition. Writing a book and getting published is a huge and difficult thing. Perhaps I am projecting, but for me, there seemed to much chance of failure to go bragging about something I may never achieve. I have achieved 'it' though and yesterday, … Continue reading Publication Day

Eastern Brown (Pseudonaja textilis)

In some versions of the Cassandra of Troy's story, Apollo's snakes lick her ears clean so she can hear the future, so of course, I had to include a snake in my book! I love snakes. I know not everyone shares my feelings. I have a healthy respect for snakes, in particular, the aggressive and … Continue reading Eastern Brown (Pseudonaja textilis)