I've just finished reading Peter Temple's "Shooting Star". I've enjoyed it except for one frustration right at the end of the book. What made Frank and Orlovsky go to Queensland? Sure it tied up (unexpectedly) all the connecting pieces by going there, but I can't find the reason they went there in the first place! Grrrrrr.

Now that I've started again! Some news. I went to the Sydney Writers Festival last weekend in the city. I have been to some events in Parramatta but this was my first time (shocking to say it!) in the city and it was well worthwhile. I loved the experience, the location, the coffee, the people, but not the queues!
I've found some new authors to read!  eg Michael Robotham(crime); Kerry Greenwood ( Corinna Chapman, amateur sleuth series/ not so keen on Phyrne Fisher series as she can have anything she likes!).
I went to a talk on "What Would Edith Do" Edith is the heroine of Frank Moorhouse's grand League of Nations trilogy - fascinated in the way it has influenced some women (they claim when they have a difficult decision to make that they would consider, what would Edith do!) - so have bought the first book to read!
I plan to go to more next year - have some annual leave, might even stay in town for a treat!

Can't believe it has been so long since I posted a Blog. Only the threat that I might lose it prompted me to start again!!

Update

I can't believe it's been so long since my last entry! I'm still a member of the New Writers' Group Inc. and their treasurer. I haven't done much writing over the past year ( probably because I discovered Facebook! Must admit I was addicted for a while, but now the interest is normal!) but did work (2008) on the Anthology (with Sue doing the final editing, covers etc), and was the anonymizer for ZineWest.
In 2007 I directed and wrote a Pantomime "Cinderella" keeping to the more traditional storyline, which was performed in January 2008 (HMDS). It was marvellous directing something I had written as I could change/ add characters at will. Later in 2008 I was in the chorus for Les Miserables (HMDS) and then Seusical (EUCMS) - both fun. This is the 3rd production of Les Miserables I have been in!
Late last year I took on a 10 minute play to direct for the Short & Sweet play Festival, held last month. I attended several audition days at Newtown Theatre to find my actors for a sci-fiction piece called "Multiple Choice" (written by Iain Triffitt and Brett Danalake). The girls (all playing the same character) were great - so, many thanks to Stephanie, Stefanie, Vanessa, Justine and Mairead. It was fun and the audience enjoyed the piece.
So, what's for this year! Work is busier than ever, and I have a daughter doing Yr 12. I'd like to see some more writing done this year. Thinking about entering a play for Short & Sweet.

Cinderella - Pantomime

Can't believe it's the 1st January 2008! Currently directing Cinderella (Pantomime for HMDS) opening night 11th January.

But first a quick recap of past 6 months - was an Amazon (female guard) in King & I (HMDS) whilst my daughters played wives and dancers. Could have been a wife but all that kneeling in the King's presence was playing havoc with my knees! Enjoyable and well presented show.

In September I was accepted as the Pantomime director for Cinderella (HMDS) but when I read the script I was aghast.

• Coach and ponies through the fireplace (We use a small stage with virtually no wings)
• No step-mother,
• Father, and his sidekick Buttons (constantly after a kiss from Cinderella "If I've done the shopping properly, you'll let me give you - a little kiss") - think Morecambe and Wise,
• Swinging rope to dangle Buttons by his leg in the haunted attic plus ghost,
• Harlequinade,
• Lots of old English jokes & themes. eg "...you know what a camel is I suppose? A horse put together by a committee". " How much? Five pounds and a book of Green Shield stamps".

So I asked permission to write a new Pantomime. We're back to the original story, with Ella's father dying and Ella dependent upon her step-mother. That's not to say I haven't added a character ot two! I originally cast 2 young men as the step-sisters but one unfortunately had to pull out. With few men in the cast, and a female/male combination not working for the step-sisters, created a french hairdresser for the young man and have ended up with 3 step-sisters (2 mean and 1 kind to Ella). Have also added a Queen of the Fairies - gives the fairy God-mother more to do teaching the Fairies ready for the Queen's visit! With 4 dance numbers, familiar songs, some funny moments - the pantomme has shaped up well. Only thing missing is a few good jokes - just frankly didn't have the time to develop them - as it was I was writing scenes only a week ahead of directing them!

A short extract of the Pantomime appears in the New Writers' Group Inc.'s Anthology which was launched on the 8th December.

All in all - quite busy! I'm supposed to be sewing a costume right now!

"Death By Deception" - Zine West '07 entry

140 entries from 70 Western Sydney writers. 34 pieces selected for the Zine - one of which was mine. Delighted today to receive an Honourable Mention from Professor Jane Goodall, the judge. To read this story please go to the Miscellaneous link below.

Attended the HomeWord Festival '07's Drama Workshop with Wayne Tunks

The workshop was a lot of fun - not only is Wayne a very talented playwright (have seen several of his plays which I have thoroughly enjoyed - and plan to see more!) but an entertaining informative teacher. As a group we created the outline of a short 10 minute play with 2 characters and one set - we intend to complete it as an entry in next year's Short & Sweet play competition with Wayne's blessing!

Also attended two workshops on Creative Writing with Paula Aboud. Learnt more about the creative writing process and how to subdue the internal editor at least for the first draft! Will have enormous benefits to future writing - thanks Paula.

Historian John McClymont gave a workshop on writing history - his work is prolific. I wanted (and got) some information about copyright when writing a fictious story set against a period in history where I am using dialogue found in other books written as historical Non-fiction (not quite the same as a Reference book). Interesting session.