Summer Solstice, Blood Moon and my beautiful mother…

My beautiful mother ♥

Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year which bears the most sunshine hours.  It is also my mother’s anniversary of twelve years and if this day isn’t special enough it also ***coincides with a 'Blood Moon' aptly titled because of its blood-red hue from a lunar eclipse. 






Photo: Midnight rambler...



The feminine and masculine aspects of the summer solstice represent a time of newness, sustenance, a move from dark to light, rebirth and healing.  It’s also a time for finding the inner balance between our dark and light sides including the global forces around us. 

The summer solstice is a time of great change where we can celebrate and begin to build a bridge between the spiritual and earthly realm by burning incense, use herbs for medicinal purposes, mediate with crystals, bring colour into our world and eat nourishing foods.

'Spirit orbs surrounding the moon'
Photo: Midnight rambler...

So it seems natural to me to celebrate my mother’s life and the summer solstice by eating nourishing seasonal fruits and veges (something my mother loved) dress in bright coloured clothing, tend to the land in some way: gardening, picking or pruning flowers, and enjoying the world around us.  Enjoy the smells, the flowers, the colours, animals and birdlife.  Walk by the ocean, or barefoot in a forest but most of all be present in the simple joy of sharing a moment, a meal, or a conversation with those we love ♥

Midnight rambler remembering her best friend ♥♥♥♥

*** The 'Blood Moon' rose on the eve of my mothers anniversary.

The Little Green Eco friendly look at Grammar!

  

Where do I start?  So much has happened in the past couple of weeks and I’m struggling to blog in a timely manner, which is kind of annoying me but feel a tad useless to do much about it since other things are taking up my time: like my other job; the grating never-ending insomnia; domestics and so on.  Nothing new to any of us, I know but it’s still managing to annoy the shit out of me.  But this post is about something extremely useful and clever and exciting like Grammar! 

And I’m in serious awe about those who understand the rules of grammar and have such a great handle on the use of language and its origins.  It’s fascinating stuff – something that would have bored me shitless as a teen now excites me and wishes I knew more.  The Little Green Grammar Book by Mark Tredinnick is a very good start.  I had the good fortune of attending his masterclass today at the Queensland Writers Centre.

I learned many things, actually, that I will need time to process and hopefully the penny will drop and I will have that a-ha moment and eventually get it.  I mean really get it. 

Get things like:

·         the proper use of a semi colon, which up until now I have avoided like the plague because  I don’t understand its correct use

·         the Em dash will become my friend

·         and I will re-embrace my use of long sentences, but make sure they do the job they’re intended to do. 

I will mix the sentences up: short, long and in-between, and as strange as this may sound it isn't necessarily easy to grasp.  However, (this word is a no, no in this context) I finally get what makes a sentence.

Shouldn’t I have already known this?  I’m a writer – doh!  Yes, I do know this on a subconscious level but not always on conscious level, so now when my grammar/spell check tells me there is a ‘verb confusion’ I now know what to look for and will quietly and methodically work through my completed manuscripts and take notice of my sentences, long, short or otherwise and see if I have the basic sentence structure. 

So, what is the basic sentence structure? 

Subject, verb, object, modifier – this is only the beginning as there are subordinates clauses and main clauses, sentences declarative, interrogatory, directive and exclamative. 

We covered things like: preposition in space and in time; pronouns; conjunctions; clusters of words or phrases and many more.  I am now in possession of Mark’s eco friendly little green grammar book and I will study this and aim to improve.  Make better use of my sentences, write strong and grammatically correct sentences so at the very least if I break the rules know what rules I’m breaking.

As Mark taught us today - ‘The rules of grammar are the rules for paradise’.

And a quote from his book, the little green grammar book:

‘Learn the rules’, wrote the zen poet Basho, ‘and forget the rules’.  Just don’t ignore them. They’ll set your writing free.

Forgive me for any grammatical errors in this post.  Disclaimer:  I’m very tired nd I’m still trying to grasp this wonderful thing called the English language that has origins in so many other languages.  While Mark makes grammar sound simple and I guess it is – I’m also going to be unlearning bad habits of poor school curriculum, teachers who had no idea, many years of secretarial dumb ass grammatical rules that are now redundant, and everything I thought I knew about grammar in creative writing, has somehow, over time been lost, confused, or taken out of context. 

So yep, I have a lot to learn but I feel excited that I’m so much closer to understanding what I’m doing on a conscious level and looking forward to the day of breaking the rules because I know I can J

Mark will be launching his new collection of poems ‘Fire Diary’ Monday, 29 November, 2010

Where: Avid Reader, 193 Boundary Street, West End

When:  6.00 – 8pm.

Cost:      $5 

RSVP:    email: events@avidreader.com.au or online: www.avidreader.com.au or by phone: 3846 3422

Midnight rambler finding the rhythm in sentences

Mark Tredinnick, is Qld Premier's Literary Award Winner and author of "The Blue Plateau",  "The Little Green Grammar Book", "The Little Red Writing Book" and "The Little Black Book of Business Writing" and more recently his new collection of poetry "Fire Diary".

Grammar is my weak point and I found out today that ‘grammar is about the sentence’, and ‘verbs are magick’.  This is important, very important – I do like this, so much so, that today I feel stronger, better, slightly more confused and befuddled but somehow quietly confident that I learned a thing or two today.

GALA/FINAL - SHORT + SWEET THEATRE



S+S cast

 What a week it’s been and so much to share.  Firstly, Saturday 20^th November was the Finals/Gala of the Short + Sweet Theatre Festival here in BrisVegas @ the Judith Wright Centre.  I was excited beyond words to not only be an audience participant for Week 2 of the top 20 on the Friday night but again at the final/Gala Award night on Saturday.   I not only witnessed some really amazing plays but my little play,The Corpse cannot Play was in the Top Ten alongside some of the best!

We were all winners in effect, just having made it into the top 30 was something of an achievement for all of the entrants and congrats to all those who did.  It’s been a top festival and something I’m been very proud to be a part of. 

It’s great to support local theatre and all of the arts for that matter and even if I hadn’t had a play performing,  Short + Sweet  Theatre is well worth buying a ticket for.  You get bite size chunks of theatre from all different genres and no chance to get bored as none of them go longer than ten minutes and what a variety you get to see over one night.  Ten plays, all different.  Some make you laugh, others cry and maybe even shiver with excitement or creeping fear.  It’s great and I for one will be supporting this every year whether I have a play being performed or not.

It was wonderful having so many of my friends come along in support for my play but also for supporting other artists, writers, actors, and directors while being entertained.

Thanks to the awesome Short +Sweet crew, Candice Diana and Sean Dennehy and the many more who I didn’t get to meet.

And now for the winners:

Nuns Gone Wild

The Short+Sweet Award Presented to the best overall production - taking into consideration acting, directing and script - performed at the Gala Final.

Nuns Gone Wild

Writer: Leon Foo

Director: Tim Driver

Cast: Bronwyn Morrow, Barbara Chaffe, Marion Welsch

Best Comedy Presented to the writer of the Best Comedy performed at the Gala Final.

Nuns Gone Wild

Writer: Leon Foo

Director: Tim Driver

Cast: Bronwyn Morrow, Barbara Chaffe, Marion Welsch

Best Drama Presented to the writer of the Best Drama performed at the Gala Final.

The Devil’s Aftershave

Writer: Pete Malicki

Director: Matthew Filkins

Cast: Jeremy Wood.

Michelle Miall & Sean Dennehy

Best Director Presented to the Best Director of plays performed at the Gala Final.

Michelle Miall 

for

Lifetime

Writer: Angie Farrow

Sound Designer: Cameron Rollo

Cast: Dirk Hoult, Emma Che Martin.

Best Actor (male) Presented to the actor who gave the most outstanding performance throughout the festival.

Jeremy Wood

for

The Devil’s Aftershave

Writer: Pete Malicki

Director: Matthew Filkins

Cast: Jeremy Wood.

Best Actor (female) Presented to the actor who gave the most outstanding performance throughout the festival.

Bronwyn Morrow

for

Nuns Gone Wild

Writer: Leon Foo

Director: Tim Driver

Cast: Bronwyn Morrow, Barbara Chaffe, Marion Welsch

The Wildcards Winner The play judged to be the best overall production (taking into consideration acting, directing and script) performed during the Wildcards.

Queen Of De Nile

Wrought Iron Productions

Writer: Carmen Cuskelly

Director: Christopher Cherry

Cast: Carmen Cuskelly

Best New Talent Presented to an emerging writer, director or actor who performed outstandingly either at the Gala Final or during the festival.

Marion Welsch

for

Scissors. Paper. Rock.

Writer: Marion Welsch

Director: Marion Welsch

Little Black Duck Productions

and

Nuns Gone Wild

Writer: Leon Foo

Director: Tim Driver

Cast: Bronwyn Morrow, Barbara Chaffe, Marion Welsch

Best ITC Presented to the Independent Theatre Company who presented the most outstanding overall production either at the Gala Final or throughout the festival.

Testy

Wrought Iron Productions

Concept: Christopher Cherry

Writer: Carmen Cuskelly

Director: Christopher Cherry

Cast: Chris Holt, Adam Drake, Christopher Cherry, Fabienne Drake, Evie Richards.

 and

Queen Of De Nile

Wrought Iron Productions

Writer: Carmen Cuskelly

Director: Christopher Cherry

Cast: Carmen Cuskelly

People’s Choice Award For the most popular play as voted by audiences throughout the festival.

Testy

Wrought Iron Productions

Concept: Christopher Cherry

Writer: Carmen Cuskelly

Director: Christopher Cherry

Cast: Chris Holt, Adam Drake, Christopher Cherry, Fabienne Drake, Evie Richards.

Congrats to all and now can’t wait for next year :)

Midnight rambler is planning.

Ausmusic Month

In support of Triple J's Ausmusic month and one of this years ARIA winners for best Female artist and best Breakthrough artist I give you the amazing Megan Washington. Oh, and if you look closely a fellow edger, Nea Beauville makes an appearance all glammed up.




Midnight rambler still thinking about story beats...

The Corpse cannot Play



Just some of the lovely audience...

More pix of celebration from the 'Wildcard' session of The Corspe cannot Play held at the Judith Wright Centre for the Contemporary Arts Saturday 13th November can be found here

Professionals shot of the dress rehearsal coming soon...Stay tuned

Midnight rambler contemplating writing some story beats

Corpses, ghosts and broken glass...

Jessica Armbrust (Director) with Moi (writer)

Finally got to meet the beautiful and talented Jessica Armbrust (Director of my ten minute play) The Corpse cannot Play and the lovely actors Susie Omar (who played Katherine) and Alex Hines (Carol).  Their performance was convincing, and exuberant bringing my characters to life.

Alex Hines & Susie Omar

I'm so incredibly excited about how this play was represented.  With no prior collaboration or discussion as planned, Jessica interpreted my vision pretty much spot on.  Susie and Alex owned their roles as Katherine and Carol giving it their all. 

It was fantastic to have my wonderful supportive friends come out and watch it along with nine other great plays.

Was I nervous on the night?  Hell yeah.  Not because I didn't trust the direction or the performances - it was more about it being out there for the world to see...but love it or hate it -  I'm still rapt my little play saw the light of day...

We didn't make the finals but nevertheless it was a blast.  It's not over yet as we enter into week two of the top 20 plays.  I have tix for Friday and Saturday night which include the Gala/Finals.

If you haven't checked out the biggest and coolest little play festival in the world then don't delay!  Do it now by booking tickets here.

Midnight rambler doing the happy dance ♥

Talking theatre: short plays, short stories, ten minutes at a time...

The lovely Rowena from ROR has invited me to talk about playwrighting vs fiction.

"I should emphasise here that I’m discussing short plays as opposed to feature length, so it might be more applicable to explore short plays (ten minutes) versus short stories.  What are the differences?" 

Read the full article here

Ausmusic Month...

Finally, I get to post something to do with music!  My first music post for the month and I will be highlighting Australian music in line with Triple J’s Ausmusic month.

It was with sad irony that we lost James Freud, front man for Models to suicide on 4^th November, 2010.  Models, an alternative rock band had a great influence on the Australian music scene in the late seventies/eighties.  So while I’m paying tribute to Ausmusic month and celebrating great Australian music this decade, it’s still fair to mention the impact our local bands have had on Australian music regardless of their era.  Rest in peace James ♥

The song I’m going to kick off with this month is from the featured artist on Triple J’s unearthed.  Lanie Lane – she is magnificent.  Have a listen, check out the article and click here for a free mp3 download of her single.

Midnight rambler dreading another 5.30am start...

WHAT HAPPENED on the way to…

There were a few things I wanted to blog about earlier this week and already it’s the end of week one into November – what the…

Between working and writing and subbing and stuff, the week has got away on me.  So here is a brief rundown of what I’ve been doing besides working in that other job that pays the bills.

·    Attending an awesome Masterclass at the QWC with the Master himself Simon Higgins on writing good YA.  But essentially it came down to just really great tips on good writing, regardless of the genre you write in.  I met some great people on the day and came away much more enlightened than when I arrived;

·    Applied for a Graduate Certificate in Screenwriting course for 2011 with AFTRS – what made me think I could get my application in good form with everything else that was going on around me in a week, I have no idea – doh!

·     And in addition to the above idiocy I wrote a short story and subbed two – one has since been rejected but at least it was a nice prompt reply and I’m not kept waiting in suspense.

And I want to write about Triple J’s Ausmusic month but I will post that tomorrow Inshallah

Midnight rambler dreading the thought of a 5.30am start tomorrow…

Short + Sweet Theatre Festival 10 November – 20 November 2010



November 10 - 20, 2010

 Great newz!!
Yes, I'm just a little bit excited to announce that The Corpse cannot Play - written by moi has made the Wildcard sessions of the Short + Sweet Theatre Festival held at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts -Brisbane.

If you've been following this blog you would have read my blog post about this amazing theatre group and if you haven't read it, and would like to - you can read it here

Details for Wildcard entry:

What:     The Corpse cannot Play

Where:  Performance Space, Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts

When:    Saturday 13th November, 2010 @ 1pm & 4pm

Tickets can be purchased here or by phone (07) 3872 9000 9am–4pm Mon-Fri or email boxoffice@jwcoca.qld.gov.au

Tickets are:  Adult $28 and Concession $24.

Be sure to secure your tickets early as the season – especially the Wildcard and Gala Final performances will sell out quickly.

Check out the flyer below for full details.

Looking forward to seeing you there!



Midnight rambler is doing the happy dance…

Truths, love, loss and finding your way...

I saw a wonderful film and beautifully told story yesterday called 'The Tree'.   An Australian tale based on the book 'Our Father who Art in a tree' by Judy Pascoe.  This adaptation of a great book is the work of French Director, Julie Bertucelli. 

This was an evocative tale about grief, love and the power of belief.  

And the other thing that touched me deeply in this film was the soundtrack and in particular this song 'To Build a Home' by The Cinematic Orchestra which touches at the deepest core of me.  A song full of truth with shades of sadness, of hope and new beginnings.

This song can be interpreted a million different ways - I'd be really keen to hear your interpretations. 


Midnight rambler thinks this song is about searching for the truth and sometimes leaving what you've built to find it...what do you think?



Reckless abandon, like no-one's watching you. A moment, a love, a dream aloud...

Here is another great band from Melbourne, The Temper Trap.  And hey it's Ausmusic month coming up in November - so it seems fitting to feature great Australian artists. 

This song sums up alot of what I feel - not just now, but most of the time and it's a pretty cool vid too - check it out. 

Oh, such sweet disposition ♥

Midnight rambler craving reckless abandon...

Storms, shipwrecks, swinging sixties and wishing I was older...



The Wahine - Wellington Harbour

 Maybe I've been watching too many movies set in the sixties of late, or maybe it's the raging storm and the gale force winds outside that take me back to the sixties.  The year in question was 1968.  The year I experienced one of the most terrifying and violent storms of my life.

Lulu and her white boots

That aside, one of the great things I remember about 1968 was Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mich and Tich and their hit, 'The Legend of Xanadu'. I was only ten and I so wanted to be all grown up and going to parties, twisting the night away, with back combed hair, black eyeliner like Sophia Loren, lollipop pink lipstick, white knee high boots, mini skirts and big hooped earrings.  

I did all that eventually, but by then it was the seventies.  Not quite as much fun because there was something extra special about the sixties.  And I always remember wishing I was older...

Then I had the good fortune of seeing Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich in London at the Barbican Centre in 1991.  Yep, many years after their songs were hits - but for that afternoon I was living in the sixties, all grown up, drinking beer and doing the twist with my London besties ♥ 

For the nostalgia fans - enjoy :)

RETREAT NEWS...

Finally the retreat news is up...click here

Am currently working on getting some writing and travel related pictures up.  Watch this space...

All I Know...

All I know...after a day from hell this song from a great Melbourne outfit Eagle and the Worm manages to cheer me no end.







This clip was filmed on the Mornington Peninsula so it's a pretty cool back drop to a groovee tune that is all about having some fun...


Midnight rambler wishing you a week of fun or finding the fun in the mundane or the days from hell or whatever gets you down. 

May this bring you some sunshine ♥

 

Birthdays and bits and bobs...

I haven't forgotten to post an update on Writers on the Edge annual retreat - I just seriously haven't had time to get it up and running.  The joys of starting a new job and being back in training. 

Before I head off to my night/twilight shift or whatever you want to call it, I want to take time to remember my beautiful girl's birthday.  Crysta would have been twelve today! 

Miss you gorgeous gal ♥

Click here for slideshow

Retreat news soon....

Midnight rambler is contemplating...

My muse

 "A muse is anything that has influence on another, giving focus and inspiration for that person's creative work."

My muse is Magicka

It has been four years today since I lost my 'muse' - my beautiful boy, Magicka, who never leaves my side even in spirit. 

I love and miss you, dear magick man. ♥

Click here for slideshow

Midnight rambler giving thanks to a special soul ♥

finding strength and being connected...

"Never Fade Away’ speaks about finding strength from our families, the importance of family and also the importance of seeing all human beings as being connected and part of a global community. Never Fade Away, the music video, was all shot in our hometown of Melbourne, Australia. It features some of our regions finest multicultural artists, dancers and musicians, it’s recognition and a celebration of the strong multicultural foundation that is modern Australia." 

The above is taken from Blue King Brown's website which sums up this band beautifully.  I have seen them perform at one of The Cat Empire gigs.  They are amazing. 

Lately, I have been thinking about so many things.  Have just started a new job that has many challenges and the one thing I keep coming back to, besides writing, is travelling and what I love most about travelling.  It's the culture and the celebration of culture and the global connectedness.  I think this song is fitting and a reminder of how important it is to stay connected to the world and not just our personal patch.  Enjoy :)

Midnight rambler attempting to stop the itch in her feet...

Worlds + conventions + writers + bar + alcohol = good times and dancing magickal faeries armed with pixie dust…

Having just got back from AussieCon 4 (the 68th World Science Fiction Convention) held at the MCEC in Melbourne, I think it is fair to say I had a blast along with my fellow comrades from Writers on the Edge, Ladies Wot Write, and the graduates of Clarion South pre and post 2007. For the most part, most of them were present (even one from as far as the US) but perhaps not all at the one time.





My writing buddies from LWW - Moi with Jane Domagala, Rebecca Livesey and Sharon Phillips
~Photo by: Jane Domagala



 












Sean Williams, mentor, buddy and just the best guy ever and (oh, a brilliant writer) was unable to make it due to being seriously ill. He was missed big time by soooo' many people! And I know how disappointed he was to have missed it.

Fellow Edgers: Nea Beauville, Deb Kelly and Chris McMahon
~ Photo by: Jason Nahrung

Fellow Clarionite, Ben Francisco and Moi
~ Photo by: Jane Domagala

  
















I attended both the Ditmars and the Hugos and was honoured to be amongst so many talented writers. Many of the nominated were my writing buddies, mentors and peers and quite a few of them brought home awards. YAY!

The Ditmar winners can be found here
The Hugo Winners can be found here

Moi with the lovely, Jane Domagala
~ Photo by: Jane Domagala

I made a promise to myself to travel light and buy no books! Is that a dumb idea or what? Of course I had to buy books…but space was limited so I only managed five which considering my severe lack of space in my bag, that was a pretty good effort. I have had to order the rest I wanted online.

The thing with World Con (which was brilliant by the way) is that it was so spread out. There were so many people (new friends and old) that I was hankering to hang out with, but it just wasn’t always possible. Most times it was snatches of hugs, conversation and waving from the distance - still brilliant either way.



Rob Shearman reading his delightful story
'One Last Love Song'
~ Photo by: Jason Nahrung

For as many panels, book signings, book launches and readings that I attended there was equally, if not more, I missed. If I could have split myself into several pieces, I would have seen and done a lot more. But alas, there is only one of me.

It was quite fun getting kicked out of the bar at 2am on more than one occasion or not depending on how you look at it. But those of us who were kicked out (you know who you are) would all agree that it was fun :)

Oh, and I lied – there were no dancing magickal faeries except for the really drunk one dancing on the bar (ahem, you know who you are) ;)

The five days rolled around all too quickly - then depart Melbourne for BrisVegas:

• Home for one day – quick changeover of clothes and off again…
• Join me next post for Writers on the Edge annual retreat…

Midnight rambler off ‘into the wild’

Short and Sweet...

Bit behind in my blogs and feel the urge to do an update even if late but I will keep them short and sweet. NO - perhaps not sweet :)

I recently completed a weekend workshop with the Short + Sweet Theatre company in Brisbane with tutor and world renowned playwright Alex Broun.

The course rocked. I have always been interested in theatre and cinema as a visual means to tell a story and I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. The constructs of the course were as follows:

Friday Night: 

• Craft of writing for theatre


• Elements required for a good ten minute play


• What makes a play different from film or television

 Saturday:

• Pitch ideas


• Story structure


• How to dramatise your story


• Good beginning, middle and end


• Styles and genres of theatre


• Rehearsing and participating by performing a short moved reading


• Development of ‘page to stage’


• Explore rhythm, dialogue and use of language in theatre


• Staying one step ahead of the audience.

So my idea was hatched after taking all of the above into account. That night I put pen to paper (almost pulled an all-nighter to get it finished) but managed 3 hours sleep before it all began again the next day.

Sunday:

• Workshop scripts


• Work with actors and explore how text works on stage

Morning was spent casting and directing said play and then handing it over to the actors and letting go! (Huge learning curve for me, since I’m a control freak) It was good for me - well at least I tell myself this :)

To see your (or in this case) my play brought to life by the wonderful actors who volunteered their entire Sunday was fun, exuberant, and exciting. More importantly it was a collaboration between actor and writer as we nutted out the inconsistencies, modified the script for visual effect, and just plain had a good time in the process. I was very proud of my actors: Sharna Barker and Nathan Wright and actor/writer Belinda Small.

And after all that, I found the courage to enter my ten minute play into the Short + Sweet festival and will be keeping my fingers crossed to see if it makes the short list.

I met some wonderful writers, actors, and dramatists over this exhilarating and inspiring weekend. Learned so much from Alex, who is a mine of wonderful information and an expert in too many things to explain in this post, so do check him out here.

Short stories, short plays and short films rock! Yes, I like things short but almost never sweet….

Midnight rambler dabbling with words…

Beaches, hips, sand and sea...

Feature song is late...I have a good excuse this time.  I have had the most awesome, intensive weekend ever, which has kept me so busy and in catch-up mode all week, but that's another post...stay tuned...

Seriously, if I had time I would post a song a day.  There are so many damn good songs being released every day or every other week.  I want to post this one, then that one, and I just have to make a decision.  It's all about what makes you feel good, hey?  This song, this week or at least in this moment makes me feel great.

So people - with summer just around the corner - get down with Thao with the Get Down Stay and swim or kick some sand, or build a castle or just have fun :) 

Midnight rambler is getting down...