You used to see that on maps, old maps… Don’t go any closer because here be monsters, and then a waterfall or illustration. But this is the chosen name for the last in the series of the Here Be Dragons children books I’ve written. Yes, there are monsters, but no they aren’t all as nasty… Continue reading Here Be Monsters
Category: PhD
Pet Portraits
I used to do them all the time, but I stopped advertising and they just dropped off... But I have been thinking of starting up again and drawing some wildlife. I have found myself wanting to pick up the paintbrush and the pencil and start working again. That is if I can squeeze it around… Continue reading Pet Portraits
A big idea?
I went for the Big Pitch... And got an award. #shocked #swanseauniversity #bigpitch #business #amwriting
Soliloquy
I have a story to write... It's about a woman. A strong and noble lady who lived in the 1800's. She wrote a book but it is constrained by the social and cultural restrictions of the time. Basically it is a list of experiences and facts, with very little emotion. The book itself was a… Continue reading Soliloquy
Oh errrr… I been Longlisted
So, a while back I entered the New Welsh Writers Competition with a story I thought was a long shot. It was set in the past and I was submitting it for a dystopian award. But it really is a dystopian story, and horrifically true. In 1800 a sailor, James Norris, was placed in Bethlem… Continue reading Oh errrr… I been Longlisted
Reading
I don't mean reading books but reading your work outloud. Yesterday I read a piece on motherhood. It was a memoir and a creative essay. I was terrible at it. I kept my head down and I didn't look up. I couldn't. What I was reading was so personal that if I had I couldn't… Continue reading Reading
Kicked
The other day I was kicked from a group on Facebook. Why? My drawing is too realistic. I kid you not. My drawing had to be a cheat... Why is that? And why do I face this all my life? I reach for the stars but all I end up with is dust... Maybe I… Continue reading Kicked
I’ve lost my voice!
No, I don't mean I'm hoarse and I can't speak, but that on the piece I'm working on. I have been ill and it has made my head fuzzy and not working great, so I've taken longer than I normally would off. My breaks when I got a WIP going are normal less than a… Continue reading I’ve lost my voice!
Walking
Why is it that taking a walk makes you feel better? Stretching your legs can make you grin and the problems you thought were bad, can seem so much smaller than before. Do I write for the deadlines or do I write for myself? It's a no-brainer. If I don't write for myself then I… Continue reading Walking
To truly see
"Look at me," the teacher said. "Look at me," said a friend. "Look at me," said a boss. "Look at me," said a customer. Look at me. They were the words that followed me around until I was twenty. Then finally a friend asked something that no one had. "Why can't you look at me?"… Continue reading To truly see
Kate Murray - Cleaver 