No, luckily at this stage I don't have to write something clever. I have to find a piece of clever writing, a piece of writing that I'm passionate about. Being a course in children's & youth writing I should probably pick a kids/YA writer. But instead I'm choosing something from Elizabeth Jolley - right now I feel she's the only writer I can choose. And she has so much to choose from.
No doubt soon I'll be expected to produce clever writing of my own. But I don't consider myself a 'clever' writer. Maybe because I associate the word clever with an innate ability; an attribute that comes naturally. And I have to work really, really hard to get my writing to a point that I think it's worthwhile.
Clever writing - it's definately something to aim for. I wonder how I'll know if I've ever achieved it?
25 February 2007
20 February 2007
Vale Elizabeth Jolley
I was really sad to hear about Elizabeth Jolley's passing. She has always been one of my writing heroes, especially because, like me, she didn't begin writing until her late 30s.
As a writer, Elizabeth Jolley had the most wicked humour. You'd read a sentence or paragraph of perfectly reasonable looking words and realised she'd strung them together in wild, memorable ways.
Like the true lady she was, Jolley's prose was never vulgar but could be hysterically "rude". Her clean, neat writing style, brilliant turn of phrase and vivid imagination have inspired and delighted me (and thousands of others) since I first began reading her work some 20 or so years ago.
The first of her writing I ever read was the short story collection, Five Acre Virgin. The title story, about a woman who uses her wits (and knowledge of planting cycles) to hang onto a piece of land that she'd been forced to sell, had me hooked.
I think I've read all her books (reread some favourites a couple of times) and own most of them. Whenever I go to a writing seminar or class and have to bring along a piece of writing from my favourite writer, I invariably take something from my collection of Elizabeth Jolley's works.
Elizabeth Jolley was one of Australia's greatest writers and her humour, intelligence and creative gifts will live on in her many published works.
Deepest condolences to her family and close friends. I am sure you will miss her.
As a writer, Elizabeth Jolley had the most wicked humour. You'd read a sentence or paragraph of perfectly reasonable looking words and realised she'd strung them together in wild, memorable ways.
Like the true lady she was, Jolley's prose was never vulgar but could be hysterically "rude". Her clean, neat writing style, brilliant turn of phrase and vivid imagination have inspired and delighted me (and thousands of others) since I first began reading her work some 20 or so years ago.
The first of her writing I ever read was the short story collection, Five Acre Virgin. The title story, about a woman who uses her wits (and knowledge of planting cycles) to hang onto a piece of land that she'd been forced to sell, had me hooked.
I think I've read all her books (reread some favourites a couple of times) and own most of them. Whenever I go to a writing seminar or class and have to bring along a piece of writing from my favourite writer, I invariably take something from my collection of Elizabeth Jolley's works.
Elizabeth Jolley was one of Australia's greatest writers and her humour, intelligence and creative gifts will live on in her many published works.
Deepest condolences to her family and close friends. I am sure you will miss her.
18 February 2007
Masters, here I come
In about one week's time I will be officially starting my Masters at QUT. Managing time is going to be my biggest issue, but hey, isn't it everyones?
Still, part-time (instead of full-time) work would be a big help.
So if there's someone out there who wants to hire an experience web content writer/editor with a strong interest (and pretty good skills) in user-centred design for three days a week at around $120 per hour, let me know and I'll send you my resume.
I'm really good at what I do. I'm also a huge fan of Gerry McGovern (my web content hero!!) If you like what Gerry has to say about web content, you'll love my work!
Still, part-time (instead of full-time) work would be a big help.
So if there's someone out there who wants to hire an experience web content writer/editor with a strong interest (and pretty good skills) in user-centred design for three days a week at around $120 per hour, let me know and I'll send you my resume.
I'm really good at what I do. I'm also a huge fan of Gerry McGovern (my web content hero!!) If you like what Gerry has to say about web content, you'll love my work!
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