Happy New Year! Sorry I’m a bit slow off the mark. I’ve been travelling on the cold side of the world – reconnecting with friends, catching up with family, revisiting some familiar places and gathering ideas for my next project. I lived in England for 11 years, but there’s something very special about returning after a longContinue reading “How many resolutions on your list?”
Category Archives: Life
Archibald stories
It takes me thousands and thousands of words to flesh out a character, but how clever are the artists who can capture someone without needing to use any words at all. I was blown away (again) by the finalists in the Archibald Prize for portrait painting at the Art Gallery of NSW. So many great stories here, but hereContinue reading “Archibald stories”
Online Literature Festival
I’m excited to be part of this year’s Queensland Online Literature Festival (22 Aug-9 Sep). The festival is an amazing opportunity for school kids from all over Queensland to hear from some of Australia’s best authors. Thirty writers are involved this year and you can connect with them whether you’re in Boulia, Biloela or Brisbane (or anywhereContinue reading “Online Literature Festival”
Central Queensland Literary Festival
I’m all talked out after a week with a brilliant bunch writers and illustrators at the Central Queensland Literary Festival – sharing stories with clever students and aspiring novelists by day, by night debating lofty ideas like: Can the Broncos beat the Eels? (It turns out they certainly can!) Rockhampton put on perfect winter weather for the creativeContinue reading “Central Queensland Literary Festival”
Getting creative on the Scenic Rim
I’ve read the research: hanging out in nature reduces stress levels, enhances creativity, improves intelligence and even makes you a nicer person. So after three days of stomping through muddy gullies, tramping up mountain tracks and following black cockatoos on Queensland’s spectacular Scenic Rim, my latest story should basically write itself. As for the impact of all of that deliciousContinue reading “Getting creative on the Scenic Rim”
How to get to Rick
Ta da! Copies of Como ficar com Rick – the Brazilian version of How to get to Rio have just arrived and don’t they look delicious. The book is part of the Choose Your Own Ever After series which lets you decide how the story goes. In Como ficar com Rick Kitty Maclean has to choose betweenContinue reading “How to get to Rick”
Happy 2016!
You know you’re on holidays when you relish the chance to get out of bed at daybreak. With the Noosa River calling, and a paddleboard with my name on it, who has got time to sleep. Sting rays are flitting across the river bed, pelicans are sailing past, early-rising fishermen head for the bar, andContinue reading “Happy 2016!”
Books for Christmas
Queues, dodgy carols, aching legs, confusion over what size feet my nephew has. Not for me, this Christmas. This year I’m avoiding the festive-season shopping chaos and buying everyone a book and a pig (or maybe an orangutan). Here’s what my Christmas list looks like. (Look away now if you’re hoping for a present fromContinue reading “Books for Christmas”
Rich and Rare launch night
How many writers and illustrators can you pack into the offices of an independent Melbourne Publishing house? Ford Street was going for the record on Friday night with the launch of Rich & Rare – the latest anthology for teens, edited by Paul Collins. Ford Street was packed with hugely talented and wonderfully witty AustralianContinue reading “Rich and Rare launch night”
Sugar is sweet
There’s nothing like a break from the daily grind to get the creative juices flowing (or dripping at the very least), and a holiday never lets me down. A week in the Whitsundays was going to be my chance to do lots of reading – always useful before the start of a new project. Unfortunately sailing,Continue reading “Sugar is sweet”
Julie Fison 