MY BLOG HAS MOVED

My new website is finally up and I will be blogging and sharing other interesting things over at the new site.  You can find me here.  


I look forward to you stopping by.


Midnight rambler saying goodbye to blogger...

Update...

Well it's been a month since I posted anything and quite honestly I haven't wanted to blog as you know I'm in the process of building a new site.  Well that process is taking awhile isn't it?  Way too long, I say but there ya go...I'm stuck between a rock and hard place.  Do I blog frequently and stick to the same old format which I'm growing to dislike by the day or do I wait to blog on the new format? which BTW I hope will be so much more fun than this site.  Lots more interesting and engaging and I do look forward to your feedback once it's up.


In the meantime just updating and letting you know that life has just gotten in the way and hopefully I will be back on track (I was on a roll for a bit) and then I derailed.  I could just put up the blog page but...and I wouldn't mind your opinion on this actually but...I didn't want a blog and all these incomplete pages attached to it while I add content...what are your thoughts?

Alan Baxter's presentation on blogging.
Picture: Midnight Rambler

I have had some great writerly experiences lately - I've subbed a couple of stories, about to sub a YA novel, have been to the Digital Writers Conference as part of the Emerging Writers Festival which was totally awesome.  Here is a great overview of what happened by Alan Baxter   


It was at this conference where I fell deeply and madly in love with twitter.  It was one of those moments where we'd been skirting around this crazy online half-hearted relationship and then BAM - it all clicked and I fell in love.  Here is the perfect post about understanding twitter by Alan Baxter again, and when you've read it you will know why I love it sooooo' much.  You can follow me here if you're interested :) 


In a week's time I'm attending the Amplified Author Bootcamp presented by if:book Australia, another exciting weekend.  As an emerging writer I'm finding the whole digital medium pretty damn exciting and I want to learn as much as I can so I can make informed choices of how I want to share my stories and of course share knowledge via my facebook page, twitter and here, well no, not here but on my new website - when it's up :)


Anyway, that's it for now and I hope to be blogging thick and fast before the end of the year on my new and improved fandangled site.


Until then...midnight rambler putting head down, bum up and getting the new site under way....

We'd rather fight with music - choosing when the rhythm warms...

Where hip-hop meets reggae, where jazz is played with dirty hands, where a Cuban line meets an Aussie rule, where nothing seems in place but sounds like many places played in one earthy chord. This is the island where THE CAT EMPIRE was born. (Written by the band in 2001)

The first day in October has seen a massive shift for me.  Such a good day on so many levels and the icing on the cake was seeing The Cat Empire celebrate 10 years of LIVE shows along with 1,500 other people at the Tivoli in Brisbane.


I could write a review on the band, the gig, the venue but it's best said here. And I have kinda talked about these guys numerous times over the years.  You can read more on my blog here and here.


Watch the video here for a teaser of just how good these guys are.



I can literally talk about this amazing group of musicians forever because (and this is not just my opinion) they have been hailed as being one the best LIVE acts in the world.  I love their albums but their gigs are something completely different - a spirit and magick that has to be witnessed to understand the true essence of who The Cat Empire really are.  They're a group of guys who leave their egos at the door.  Their on-stage presence is powerful, uplifting and the most talented bunch of musos in the world.


I've lost count of how many times I've seen them perform LIVE.  Every Brisbane gig I'm there :)  And every gig is completely different than the last.  Even though you may have heard a song over 100 times, they will put a unique spin on it every time.


Which brings me to why I'm not writing a review about The Cat Empire but more about a project I've been working on for over twelve months inspired by The Cat Empire songs.  I've written three of the planned twelve stories.  I'm a bit behind schedule - it was supposed to be one story a month for a year but somehow life got in the way.


My stories are not based on the content of The Cat Empire songs as my stories are dark, sometimes supernatural with the horror in the mundane which of course is nothing like a Cat Empire song.  Their songs are full of light and hope and joy and they are the best Australian party starters!


But because of the way my mind is geared I write dark, I write contemporary stories always verging on horror either in the character, situation or place, and for some bizarre reason I'm not sure How to Explain - The Cat Empire songs provide the inspiration.  I'm not sure how Felix or Harry or Ryan or Jumps or Will or Ollie would feel about this but if I change the titles they don't have to know :)


What inspires you in your life whether it be through music, art, words or just life itself?  


Midnight rambler still on a high and dancing to The Chariot

If you want Fidelity - GET A DOG!

'If you want Fidelity – GET A DOG' are the words of Christopher Ryan who is a psychologist and co-author of the New York Times best-seller, Sex at Dawn: The Prehistoric Origins of Modern Sexuality.

Christopher Ryan is in the country at the moment as part of ‘The Festival for Dangerous Ideas’

After listening to Christopher Ryan on 'Hack' yesterday about his thoughts on monogamy: how it’s kind of unnatural for the human species to remain in one relationship - it got me to thinking (that’s a dangerous idea in itself). It got me to thinking is this guy right? Surely, we can live happily ever after in monogamous relationships never thinking or straying or divorcing.  Is this why divorce is so high? 

My gut instinct is to say ‘NO’ we are and can be a monogamous society and find love, be in love and stay in love and loyal to the ONE person til death do us part – isn’t that the traditional vows of marriage?  I don’t know coz I changed mine, and then I chose not to get married second time round?  Why?

Hmmm…anyway, it got me to thinking about the stories I write, the characters and their relationships, the books I read, the movies I watch. Whenever there is strong characterisation you will usually find some kind of love triangle or dilemma around love and monogamy.  And don’t we just love those stories. Will she/he? Did he/she?  What if we like all three characters involved in this super love triangle – who do we bat for?  Someone’s gonna get hurt?

Here's an example of the kind of stories we seem to fall in love with.

Why do we love these stories so much if we are in fact monogamous by nature, wouldn't we hate the voyeuristic nature to these stories and wouldn't we be constantly angry with the character who chooses infidelity or does Christopher Ryan have a point?  

Have a listen to this interview with Christopher Ryan - fascinating stuff.

Have you read his book?  It’s an interesting debate – what are your thoughts?  Love to hear from you :)

More about the festival here:

Midnight rambler thinking about why my characters behave the way they do?

After Midnight...

Thought this was appropriate since I'm the Midnight rambler...
Click the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx2Wb-80R5U&feature=player_embedded
 or vid below:




Catch you all after midnight...







Midnight Rambler we're gonna let it all hang out...

NIRVANA CLASSIC ALBUM TURNS 20...

When I tuned into Triple J this arvo on my way to work I was totally gob smacked to find that it’s been twenty years since Nirvana’s classic Album ‘Nevermind’ was released.  Twenty years!  Even more shocked to hear listeners ring up and say they were under five or not even born.  Seriously!  Oh, wow – what you have missed.

Nirvana, a grunge band out of Seattle, literally changed how I saw the world.  This is not an exaggeration.  Kurt Cobain – my God! Just the best and of course Dave Grohl – I mean look at him now (Foo Fighters).  I’d like to say I luv them as much but I just don’t...

I have to tell you listening to Triple J and some of the Nirvana tracks they played - Wow how powerful is music? - the memories it evoked where like BAM!  The year was 1991 ‘Nevermind’ had just been released.  I lived in Israel in the middle of the Negev Desert and every Friday night Shabbat (our one night off) we, the volunteers from all parts of the world, would head down to the only Israel night club, Givalot (yes in the middle of the desert) and rock out to ‘Smells like Teen Spirit’.  It’s the one song I can always remember everyone dancing too!  And I mean everyone.  As soon as the DJ spun the record you fought for every inch on the dance floor :)

Here’s that all time brilliant song best played loud!

I saved my pennies (a months pay was equivalent to about AUD $80.00) and I had to buy food for a month but I took the bus trip into Beersheva and spent AUD $15.00 of that hard earned money and bought the cassette ‘Nevermind’ – couldn’t afford the CD :)  It did the rounds on the Moshav – everyone I knew borrowed it and we thrashed it to death.  I have since had to buy the CD.

Another favourite of mine: (pretty difficult to choose actually since I luv em all)

Nirvana was God back then and while it was grunge it was fresh music.  It was beautiful, raw and sexy and we couldn’t get enough of it.  And then the albums that followed and the MTV unplugged – what an album that is :)

Then I returned home in Feb 1994 and two months later Kurt was dead.  I won’t even go into the deep loss and grief I experienced at that time – it was a double edge sword .  I had just left a world behind that I loved and didn’t want to be here in OZ and was grieving for my life in Israel and London and Kurt’s death compounded that – the life I grieved had truly gone.  Kurt and his music was so pivotal to one of the most magickal times of my life and now he was dead.  But this post is not about grief.  This post is about the celebration of a fantastic album, a brilliant band that had the most profound impact for their short time on the music scene.

And if you aren’t bored yet – here’s another:

If you are around  this Friday night and want to check out the release of their movie (their only LIVE show recorded on film) performing at the Paramount in their hometown then check all the details here screening in cinemas around the country – do yourself a favour and check it out.  Watch the trailer here 

 As for me I will have to wait for the DVD as I will be working :(

On that note I will leave you with another song I kinda rather adore: Click here or the vid below. 

Midnight rambler lost in a time steeped with memories that I’m so happy I was actually old enough to enjoy. Maybe being older ain’t so bad after all ♥  Skin the sun, Fall asleep, Wish away…

Why I'm not blogging...



Building a website is the 'too hard basket'



Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read this post.  I’m not blogging at the moment for two reasons and wanted to let you know that I’m not ignoring you dear followers or being slack.  I’m simply trying to achieve the following:

• Recover from this very nasty viral infection that is really, seriously and literally messing with my head;
• And because I no longer wish to blog on this site.  I’m in the process of building a new website – which is like taking forever!  I blame the headaches J or it could simply be my inadequate brain to take in all the technical stuff of making a more functional site.

Anyways, the theory is if I keep blogging here I will never finish the new site.  So I will aim to be up and running as fast as possible given the two reasons above and hope to see you in the blogosphere real soon.

Take care my lovelies and if you subscribe to this blog or are a facebook buddy or a fan of my facebook page or follow me on twitter – you will know when my new site is up and running.  Which will be ultra soon - Inshallah.

Midnight rambler moving into creative space ♥

40 Day Dream...♥

Okay - and here is Part III.  What do you think so far? 

You are not only hearing the great songs from the awesome debut album but watching a movie unfold through a series of music clips.  Besides great marketing, this is a most excellent way to be entertained.  You want nothing more to reach in like watching your favourite serial on tele to find the next instalment through song. (I'm not even sure what I just wrote made sense) but I think you get where I'm coming from...

This song in particular is one of my most absolute favourite on the album.  It seriously rox and I never get sick of it.  Here is some background to this clip:

40 Day Dream finds Edward and Brother hiding out in the desert after their violent jail-break. Jade, having received a telepathic message from Brother, brings them to meet the rest of the Magnetic Zeros. Edward is welcomed by his new family and his troubles are briefly lifted by a healing vision of togetherness. After a night of revelry, Edward is awakened by Angel.

 Click here to listen or the video below.  You must turn this one up and dance :)



Midnight rambler looking forward to Part 1V and sharing it with you when it turns up on Edward Sharpe's video channel :)

To view Part I - click here
To view Part II - click here

Going down the rabbit hole...

'The Rabbit Hole is a three-day, 30-hour writing frenzy where participants aim to write 30,000 words OR the words 'The End' - whichever comes first!'

And it starts tomorrow.  I had planned to be a part of this worthwhile event.  Since this was announced I have moved, been sleep deprived and commenced full time work, not to mention I can barely make my way to my desk to write.  Clearly, this is no excuse to not be a part of The Rabbit Hole event.

I will write.  Absolutely, I will -  but rather than aim for the above as I would have given better circumstances - instead I will dip in and out over the weekend.  Check in on the facebook page and see what's happening.  Go here for more info and maybe you might like to sign up.  What a great way to spend a weekend.  Allowing yourself the freedom of expression without interruption, or chores, or distractions.  So watch the facebook, the tweets but don't get caught up or procrastinate.

This is your opportunity to dig on down the 'rabbit hole' and actually put some words on the page.  Go Queensland Writers Centre for bringing this together! Let's make it a productive weekend of getting in touch with your creativity and enjoying the wild abandon of writing in a frenzy.

Have fun to all you participants and even I expect to achieve some words this weekend.

Midnight rambler preparing for some disconnection from the mess and chaos that surrounds me :)

Story telling + Musical Genius = Part II 'Kisses over Babylon'

So what did you think of Part I?

Here is the second instalment of this 12 part musical/music video from Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (aka) Alexander Ebert. 

The story continues in the desert wasteland, ravaged by drought. Edward is arrested for the murder of his father and after reuniting with his brother they plan a prison break. 

Let me know what you think?  How do you like to tell stories?  What are your thoughts on making music videos from an album that tell a complete story as opposed to straight music videos of individual songs?

Click here to listen or click video below.



 CAST:
Edward Sharpe: Alex Ebert, Minors: David Strathairn & Stephen Mendillo, Warden: Dermot Mulroney
Brother: Orpheo McCord, Clerk: Sandy Martin, Guard: Tay Stratharin

CREW:
Director Isaiah Seret, Co-Director Alex Ebert, Editors / Writers Alex Ebert & Isaiah Seret, Cinematographer Eric Maclver, Executive Producer Bryan Ling, Executive Producer Sara Cline, Producer Michael Schifflett, Visual Effect Benjamin Kutsko, Supervising Sound Editor Peter Aaron Fineberg, Location Manager Caleb Duffy, Production Designer Katie Byron, Art Director Ishi Glinsky, Camera Operator Tristan Bear, DIT Alexandra Pelly, Sound Recordist Jake Viator, Wardrobe Stylist Eliot Hazel & Diana Contreras, Make-up Sarai Fiszel, Opening Score composed by Miguel Atwood Ferguson, Kisses Over Babylon by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Production Company The Masses (http://www.wearethemasses.com) & Community Records

Album at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/up-from-below-bonus-track-version/id321407360

To view Part 1 (Desert Song) click here:

Midnight rambler contemplating the musical genius of Alex Ebert...

Movies combined with music brings great storytelling...

To follow on from my last post this video is what I was talking about.  Raise your hands if you're into music, movies and story telling.  Then this is for you.  Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros Album 'Up From Below' is told through a series of short films - how cool is that?  This is totally the best marketing tool I've seen especially if music is your thang and if you're visual like you me, you will so totally get this.

This is PART 1 of a 12-Part feature-length movie musical. The opening footage is of singer Alex Ebert's father chanting in Monument Valley - shot by his mother. Desert Song is about Alex's reckoning with the middle name his father secretly wrote on his birth certificate - a Native American name which means 'Devil' or 'Demon'. The debut album from Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, "Up From Below", is available from iTunes.  I will post Part II and Part III over the next few days or you can check them out yourself on their video channel :)

DIRECTED BY: Benjamin Kutsko and Cory Marrero
LABEL: Community Music/Fairfax Recordings - US : Rough Trade - UK
DP: David Myrick
EDITED BY: Alex Ebert and Brandon Driscoll-Luttringer
VFX: Benjamin Kutsko and Casey Allen
WARDROBE BY: Cassandra Kellogg and Amanny Ahmad
MAKEUP: Sarai Fiszel

Click here to listen or on video below.



Midnight rambler seriously wants to write short films...

The Sixites, French accents, eyeliner and big hair - what's there not to love...

Good Morning!  It's Sunday and what better time to get groovin'

Here's a great cover of France Gall's 'Laisse Tomber Les Filles' from 1964 to get you going. 


Hit the volume, and put your twisting shoes on and shake it baby :)

Click here to listen or click video below :)



Midnight rambler is twisting...

'My darkness is shining. Have faith in ourselves. Truth...'

I can't get enough of Alex Ebert aka Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros... 

This guy is beyond words.  I've seen him perform and man did he blow me away with his charisma, love, heart, and genuine beauty. Seriously, he beamed light across the audience and uplifted our hearts.  Everyone at the Hi-Fi Bar at West End had a smile on their face.  So much love in one room :) I could go on a total rant about how cool and groovee this guy really is and if you've ever seen him LIVE you will know exactly what I'm talking about.

He has a bucket load of talent.  He makes mini movies, a series of short films that tell a story of wild, and fantastical imaginings with love being at the heart of everything.  His magickal craft of story telling combined with awesome music makes Alexander Ebert a true legend.  Kick back, crank it up and lose yourself in the beauty of the music delivered with genuine love and most of all truth...

To listen click here or the video below.




Midnight rambler truly inspired my this amazing talent... ♥

Why can't I get this right?

This is a pic of the current state of my office/creative space.  What do I do?  Do I write? Do I blog, answer emails, connect with my online community, unpack?

Writing should be number one priority, right? I'm a writer! But of late my priority has been the day job (without that the bills don't get paid) packing and moving - without the boxes I live in limbo - great when travelling not so great when bogged down with responsibilities and financial commitments, and did I mention the constant interruption of tradies - repairs galore!

Needs some attention...

This time poor business is a constant juggle for me switching between the practical, creative, and business mind.  It would seem I don't manage my time well at all, yet in the work place - time management is one of my strong points - so what's that about? Am I just one of those crazy, creative people that constantly distract themselves with other things, like life, which leaves me in this constant flux of creative frustration!

How am I supposed to eat healthy food...

How do you manage your writing/creative time when big things take over your life?  All tips, thoughts, ideas are hugely appreciated.  Should I start by acknowledging what I do do with my time?  I've now blogged (tick), dealt with the oven technician except now I have no door so can't cook - so that's only half a tick, dishwasher repair (still working on that one) Air con service (tick) unpack a box or two, or three (tick) even God forbid a coffee break and relax over the latest edition of Writing Queensland? Not looking likely!

What am I doing wrong?  Maybe I should just get drunk and dance on the beach?  Thoughts...

Midnight rambler juggling too many balls...

Do you live in the moment?

I blogged about this song a few months back and when I heard it again today it got me thinking about a gazillion things - as you do :) and I think I love this song so much because it is really all about being lost in the moment.

Do you remember those times when you felt like that. The giddiness, the excitement, when everything in your world feels and looks rich and wonderful and full of colour? 

Yes, I like this song very much because it reminds me of those times, and rather than be reminded, I'd rather be simply lost in the moment :)

Click the link to view the video  or click on the video below:

Midnight rambler lost in colour and life...♥

Is home where the heart is...

Home is where the heart is - or is it?

A question I've pondered numerously over the years. My heart belongs in Sydney - yet I live in BrisVegas!  Why not Sydney, my home?  The jury's still out on that one...

But having said that, it gets me to thinking about home and what it is or what home means, and as I grow older and move into being the creative 'goddess' I'm destined to be :)  I find Home means, and is many different things at different points in our life.

It could be: where you hang your hat; or living out of a backpack, something I've been known to do for three years at a time, travelling the world and exploring other peoples homes :) - it could be your campervan, one day I will no doubt hit the road in my funked up purple 'love bug' with hand painted peace signs; or a studio apartment in a major city, oh how I've loved this option; a share room in the back of someone's house, it's amazing how homely you can make a simple, small space; or a tree hut in the middle of the rainforest, haven't tried this one yet, but willing to consider.

Whatever Home means to you will no doubt change many times as life isn't static - but whatever 'home' means to you at this given moment, nurture it, cherish it, seek it out and let it wrap its arms around you welcoming you, giving you a SAFE place to fall.

Now, for some fun - enjoy LCD Soundsystem version of what home is by clicking on the video below or by clicking here and in the meantime drop me a line and let me know what home means to you.

Midnight rambler finding the earth beneath her feet...

1 man, 24 hours, 32 guests, 19 horrific challenges, 6 toilet breaks plus 1 goat.

24 hours of fun :)  Triple J, my radio station of choice 107.7fm (here in BrizVegas) They can be heard all over Australia (well mostly) here are the frequencies.  Triple J, the radio station that promotes Australian music and unearths incredible talent all over the country.  The radio station that shoves the J into Journalism the radio station that has podcasts and blogs on just about everything.

To cut a long story short Tom and Alex from the Breakfast show set a challenge for comedian Sam Simmons who implied that Tom and Alex didn’t work hard enough and insisted he could do their show and every show.  So that’s what happened. From 8am Thursday May 12 to 8am Friday May 13 Sam Simmons took over the radio for a 24 hour marathon.  Sam did some crazy stuff including challenges set by us, the listeners.  And if he made it through successfully he would be rewarded with his favourite thing, a goat!

 When I first heard this challenge, I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about Sam Simmons being on the radio for 24 hours!  Really,  wouldn’t he get a bit boring – he’s not really that funny – right?  Wrong! It was f**kin brilliant!  I currently have the good fortune of listening to my iPod in my current job so hence being able to listen all day.  It was so damn good, I was tempted to take Friday 13th off so I could listen for the full 24 hours. 

 It was totally hilarious and hugely entertaining and the best 24 hours of radio I’ve ever experienced.  So who listened?  Who out there is a Triple J nut and loves alternative music, and/or home grown music, or simply supporting Ausmusic?  Who out there celebrates the Hottest 100 with parties every year, tunes in with Rosie and the Super Request, mornings with Zan, Drive with the Doctor, shoving the J into Journalism with Hack, or Home and hosed, or 2011 with Kingsmill or Root’s n All?  I can’t be the only one!

This all sounds like a massive ad for Triple J ha!– it’s not – true :) but it is a massive plug for innovation and a big thumbs up for creativity and a team of presenters who are passionate about what they do!

 And congrats to Sam Simmons for staying awake, keeping us entertained and doing crazy things all for a great cause – WIRES, Australia’s largest wildlife rescue charity.

After tuning into this crazy day in radio, I have learned that Sam Simmons is a very funny man, crazy, and obnoxious at times, but all with tongue in cheek :)

I vote this should be an annual event.  What do you think? I’d love you to share your thoughts on Sam Simmons 24 hour marathon.  View the slideshow of some of the things Sam got up to and of course pix of the delightful goats – so cute – awww…

Midnight rambler missing Sam and the goat :)

Celebrating motherhood ♥

♥ HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all the mums out there♥

I hope today brings you much joy, pampering, good food, lotsa cuddles and appreciation .  Mum’s are special ♥  Mum’s matter and Mum’s need to be nurtured everywhere.  Every Mum in the world is important no matter what - because without them we would not exist.

I've posted a song just for all you mums J The video is fun, and is called ‘White Dove’ by Triple J’s unearthed feature artist, Tijuana Cartel  who hail from the Gold Coast –aah lucky Queensland.  Their mix of global grooves and electronica make this a joy to listen to.

The White Dove is a symbol of Peace, so let's bring as many forms of White Dove into our lives now! The White Dove mate for life, are incredibly loyal, build their nest and raise their young.  So what could be a more fitting song for Mother's everywhere than that?

Either click the video below or here to view.

Midnight rambler thanking my Mum for being super special...

Even on a cloudy day...

Okay, well here I am again!  The new blog, the new website as hoped just didn't happen.  What a let down that was.  My weekend didn't quite work out as planned (insert sad face here). 

Ah, well, moving on...maybe this weekend will bring more joy and productivity of the creative kind.  One can hope.  In the meantime I thought it about time I posted something of the musical variety.

This song by Cage the Elephant sums it all up really.  Have a listen and let me know what you think. If you can't view the video below click here instead.




Midnight rambler keeping her eyes fixed on the sun...

A step or two backwards...

Many apologies for not blogging of late.  Considering my last post I’m not doing very well am I?  I was all geared up with Twitter, facebook and building my author platform…so where is it?  I haven’t taken a hiatus from social media intentionally. 

I’m sorry that I haven’t been communicating.  Life simply has got in the way of creative pursuits, much to my annoyance, as my life is mostly made up of working full time with ridiculous starts at 4.30am.  For those who know me personally – you know that this hour of the morning is normally my bed time…talk about a challenge!

I have been researching website options, hosting, vlogging and doing a ton of reading on the subject but and there’s a big BUT!  I find between juggling the full time job and family commitments it all very time consuming.  I know you’re supposed to be able to set up a blog within a few hours – I think I’m too fussy.  I spent hours scouring templates and happy with none of them!  Do you see the problem here? 

So my planned activities for Easter just didn’t happen.  The new blog is still not up and the website not even close to being built. 

How about you?  Did you achieve all that you planned over Easter and did you rest and relax and enjoy?  We have another long weekend here in BrisVegas so for us Brisbanites another chance to catch up on things that got missed last weekend.

I’m still in the process of creating some groovy slideshows of my travels to Egypt from way back in 2008.  Still not completed yet as we speak and I need them for tomorrow night for travel movie/photo night at friend’s house…nothing like a deadline to get me moving.  I really need to address this.  Really – it’s almost three years since that glorious trip and I still don’t have it all up and ready to present.  I will have by tomorrow morning though.

I’m uploading and burning as I write this to you J And after tomorrow night, the plan is to get a 'new look' blog up and running by the end of Monday night.  Fingers crossed I can make this happen and fingers crossed you no longer have to read my posts on this site.  I’m planning on something new, fresh and maybe even a little funky J

Best keep going…I will check in with you on my progress over the weekend…so maybe one more post on this site J

Midnight rambler slowly making progress…

Ten reasons why every author should blog...

This post believe it or not has been surrounded by a lot of indecision.  Last weekend I had the good fortune of attending a workshop at the QWC on Blogging and Social Networking with Joanna Penn

Why the indecision? because it was damn amazing and insightful it really reinforced why I need a new blog/website – like NOW!  So the question was: Do I build a new blog site before I make anymore posts or keep posting on the existing one until I have the new one up and running?  It’s all fraught with problems because if I keep posting to the old format while working on the new one – my old one continues to grow when in fact I want to archive it. 

And since now I have returned to working full time with a 4.30am rise and shine, and sadly no, not to write (I wish) my routine is totally out of whack.  I was working nights so you can see what this might be doing to my body clock let alone finding time to build a new blog/website. 

So I’ve decided to post on the old blog for this post (new one is coming) because the things I learned from the workshop was just too good not to share. 

Ten reasons for starting and/or improving your author platform:

1.       A blog is a website with special powers

2.       Bloggers are a powerful community

3.       Every writer should blog – here’s why

4.       People connect with faces – Vlog!

5.       Online networking with other Authors, Bloggers and Marketers 

6.       Online presence with quality content

7.       Baby steps…it all takes time to grow your business

8.       WordPress, Blogger is all free and great to get started but as your business grows consider owning your site – here are some of the reasons why

9.       Social Media isn’t a fad, it’s a fundamental shift in the way we communicate. Check out this amazing video.

10.   Embrace the Twitter – its power is extremely effective for online networking and promoting your business/brand.  Here are some great tips

What are you doing to promote your author brand?  Please share your tips and/or ideas - I still have soooo' much to learn :)

Midnight Rambler embracing the twitter...

Been rejected lately?

About a week or so ago I received yet another rejection for a short story that’s been out and about for a bit with pretty favourable feedback but not getting picked up and I had one of those moments – you know how it goes: ‘You’re crap – give it up’.

I drank coffee, as you do, and sat in silence, staring at the wall.  I think I might have even sighed in there a few times J and thought:  ‘Give it up – give writing up because it’s just too bloody hard!  The hours, the sweat and tears, to what – get rejected yet again! ‘

How many times would you put up with your best friend or lover, husband or wife – reject you over and over and over?  You wouldn’t right – so why do we keep writing?

I don’t know about you, but for me I think sometimes I’m just plain and simply, quite mad.  Crazy loon, insane, lunatic!  So where was I?  Oh, yeah, sitting, staring at the wall.  I mumbled and grumbled a bit and I definitely swore a few times – Mitzi my cat understood and then it was like – ‘okay, so when was the deadline for that play?’



Mitzi practising the art of patience...



Yes, I told you I’m insane.  Here’s why – I’ve been working two jobs of the day job variety in recent weeks - if you count writing then I was juggling three.  Anyway, I’ve been pretty knackered of late, with working nights in one job and getting up at 4.30am for another and of course writing towards this deadline!  The deadline was the 31^st March and I was running out of time – oh hell, I hadn’t even finished the play on Tuesday and it was supposed to be gone on Thursday and oh, wait – I need to sleep coz I’m working two jobs!

Somehow, I pulled it off.  I made the deadline and even rewrote the ending twice, and still woke up in time for work!  I can’t testify to the quality of the play but I was passionate about the story when I wrote it, so from an organic level it was good work.  From an editing, and beautifully polished masterpiece level – well probably not so.  But there ya go – it’s gone.  I was happy I pushed through even though I’m severely sleep deprived but that’s pretty normal for me anyway.

And what was the point of this blog post?  Oh, yeah – seems I don’t let rejections get to me after all.  Just when I think I’m ready to give it all up – I just shrug and get back to work.  Unlike the rejection of a friend or lover, of which I would not put up with, I find the rejection of my stories as the universe’s way of letting me know I have to work harder!  That’s just crap, I know – haven’t I worked hard enough?  Of course, but then it’s all subjective anyway – so sometimes it just means getting on with it, not rewriting it, or ditching it, but getting on with the next project.  Persevering and rising to the challenge which in the end just makes me increasingly determined.  So I do what I know my peers would advise me to do.  Write. Edit. Submit.  And do it again and again and again until…

Yep, I told you I was insane.  How about you?  How do you deal with rejection?

Midnight rambler getting ready for the next project….