Some Very Old Game Pieces
Mar 11
Some Very Old Game Pieces
This little artefact from Skara Brae demonstrates two problems with old game pieces. The accompanyin label says It is feasible that these bone objects [not shown] may have been used as dice. This whalebone has partially groved, perhaps to make ‘dice’.” For archaeologist and museum workers, it can be hard to recognise the parts. Is…
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Oct 26
Five tips for Nanowrimo (and one secret you’ll need)
Writing might feel like trudging across endless sand dunes, but as with the sand dunes, if you keep going, you’ll eventually reach the end. Unlike sand dunes, if you go back later, you’ll still find traces of your words. I’ve done Nanowrimo a few times. This year (2022) will be my 21st time, and yes,…
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Feb 5
The Problem with Bread
This is part of a news story I came across a few years ago in the Illustrated Sydney News (while looking for pictures) and I shared the last sentence on Facebook because, well, it is such a fascinatingly constructed sentence. But I did wonder what it was the stirred the writer so. The answer is…
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Apr 25
Some Misstatements About Age
You often hear about young soldiers who added a few years to their age so they could enlist but it happened at the other end of the age limit too. These are three I’ve come across. The AIF (Australian Imperial Force) requirements changed over time The requirements in August 1914 were 19–38 years, height of…
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Mar 23
York Street: a disreputable neighbourhood
York Street, between Wellington & Brisbane. On the left is the car park for the new city Woolworths supermarket. Down the far end, just before the intersection are a couple of conjoined cottages. On the other side of an intersection is an old corner shop. Empty now but it was recently an antiques/collectables shop and…
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Jan 13
Daedalum Luminarium, Mona Foma 2019
Architects of the Air: Daedalum Luminarium at Mona Foma 2019
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Jan 1
GRUMPY TORTOISE’S GUIDE TO EDITING (Not really)
At the bottom are some useful looking links. I only skimmed them because reading all of them closely seems like a quick trip to confusion & frustrations. Don’t do this! But first, remember, the process of editing IS DIFFERENT FOR EVERY WRITER and different for every work. Be flexible. Be prepared to try things to…
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Dec 17
The Streets of Launceston
NAMED SINCE THE ARRIVAL OF HIS HONOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ARTHUR, WITH THE PRINCIPAL PLACES IN EACH —10th JANUARY, 1825. (from the Tasmanian and Port Dalrymple Advertiser, 26 January 1825. Original text is in italics, with my comments below.) 1. Brisbane Street — running from the Government Cottage to the western extremity of the Town, and…
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Nov 5
Nanowrimo: Some tired thoughts after a bad morning
This morning was not a good start. I looked at my laptop sitting on the table waiting for me to sit down and type, and the story felt stupid. Pointless. Shallow. Silly. A waste of time. I was almost in tears. I knew what I had to write so I sat down and managed to…
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Oct 9
Nano Prep: Names
I HATE NAMING CHARACTERS 😐
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