Published inWriter’s Way·Oct 5Celebrating 20 yearsHow the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival changed my life! Ubud Writers and Readers Festival celebrates a major anniversary this month and if you have never been you must put it on your ‘to do’ list. I can’t believe it’s 20 years since I took part in the first iteration…Bali7 min readBali7 min read
Published inWriter’s Way·Jul 1A solo writers retreat in VeniceIn mid May, 2023, prior to leading a writer’s retreat in a small village near Florence, I headed to Venice for my own mini solo writer’s retreat. No, it wasn’t an official arts residency, just me in an airbnb in a place I’ve always wanted to visit. I won’t go…Venice5 min readVenice5 min read
Published inWriter’s Way·May 17Haiku Walking in Japanfollowing the poet’s path Most people travelling to Japan would surely be aware of haiku poetry, but would they ever think of going on a haiku walk? Called a ginko and often held at the change of seasons, participants are invited to walk together in nature and jot down observations…Haiku5 min readHaiku5 min read
Published inWriter’s Way·Apr 16Am I really going to publishthe book I’ve been working on for years? The one I started writing when I took a side trip to Vietnam on my way to a performance arts festival in Beijing in 2009… When my friend Sonia, fresh from a Vietnam holiday told me of the boat trip she took…Marguerite Duras4 min readMarguerite Duras4 min read
Published inWriter’s Way·Mar 12Lonely WriterSometimes you just have to sing the blues Are you feeling a bit lonely at your writer’s desk? It’s one of the hazards of of our solitary job, a feeling that comes and goes… Usually means it’s time to take a break, get out and about, go have coffee with…Creativity2 min readCreativity2 min read
Mar 6Every day, begin againMaking a daily committment to your writing The beginning of the year is always a good time to re establish your writing routine. But what happens if you miss your chance because you are on holidays or having too much fun? Don’t worry, there are plenty more chances through out…Writing2 min readWriting2 min read
Published inWriter’s Way·Feb 925 reasons NOT to be a writerhow to use reverse psychology to get you writing… Did you make New Year’s resolutions this year? Or are you stuck in the doldrums, becalmed in the no-wind of no-can-do? When doubts take hold of me I like to write them down then use reverse psychology to get me going…Motivation12 min readMotivation12 min read
Published inWriter’s Way·Sep 2, 2022Are you a Pro at Procrastination?I am. I’m so pro at it, I could set up a school, offer diplomas, degrees, special awards. I could set up a university. The University of Procrastination. There I could teach you all the best ways to procrastinate. A million ways you haven’t thought of yet… Though something tells…Procrastination2 min readProcrastination2 min read
Published inHigh Season Low Season·May 3, 2022Father PresenceExcerpts from a memoir, by Lisa Sharkey Dad, Father, solid build and solid in my life. His strength was physical, built from the pounding of steel, day in day out. Cutting and welding heavy metals. Building large vessels, trains, earth moving equipment, pipelines, barges during the war and fine wrought…Mountains5 min readMountains5 min read
Published inHigh Season Low Season·May 3, 2022Call to Prayerby Catherine Briggs As the mountain looms high a whipbird’s call invites us to join nature in prayer. Trees turn their leaves, spin a sun blessed circle, grey, green, gold, on scribbly gum, anaphora. In the shade light filters wildflowers and memories. Mount Beerburrum draws distant rainbows: the fire of…Poetry2 min readPoetry2 min read
