Trevor's Writing

The importance of a writing To Do list

1 Comment »24th January, 2015; Category: Goal setting, The Writer's Life, Writers, Writing Hints

Do you make “To Do” lists?

I do. I generally find them not only useful but sometimes quite essential to help me to remember to do important tasks. It also helps me to remember those unimportant but essential things like putting out the rubbish (garbage) bins on the right night ready for collection the next morning. These lists are important in helping me to also prioritise tasks needing my attention.

Writing lists

I keep all kinds of lists relating to my writing, lists such as

tasks achieved each day – to keep me focussed
hours and words written each day – to keep me accountable to myself
writing goals – to know where I am heading and to keep on track
publication successes – to encourage me when I feel depressed
income from my writing – to show me that I am not entirely wasting my time
lists of blog post titles coming up – as a part of my forward planning

This is just a sample of some of the lists I keep. None take more than a few seconds to fill and all those statistics show me where I’ve been, how I am currently going and – most importantly, where I am heading with my writing.

I strongly encourage all writers to make, keep and regularly update whatever lists they deem necessary.

WHAT NOT TO DO

My To Do List

Make a list

Cross off item #1 on this list

Realise that I’ve already achieved 2 – no – 3 things on my list.

Reward yourself with a nap (in progress).

Good writing.

Here we go again – writing, writing, writing

No Comments »23rd January, 2015; Category: Blogging, Books, Reading, The Writer's Life

Here we go again – I am writing, writing, writing… after a long break.

I haven’t posted any new material here in over 3 months, and not on a regular basis for over a year. I hope that 2015 is different and that the words – and the posts – will flow freely again. Thanks to all of my devoted readers who haven’t deserted me. I have great things planned for this site as well as my other sites (click Trevor’s Birding and Trevor’s Travels.)

Illness

The reason for a lack of posting on this (and my other sites) is that I have had a few serious issues with my health. Most of these have been dealt with, or will be in the coming weeks. One of the major issues has been dealing with severe sleep apnoea. Before I had a CPAP machine to help me sleep I was constantly falling asleep in front of my computer screen. Reading was also very difficult; every time I picked up a book or magazine I would blink – and not open my eyes for 5 or more minutes. I am now getting a good night’s sleep every night and devouring books from my unread piles at a great rate. I am no longer falling asleep at the computer, so the words are flowing again.

Great plans

In the coming months I have some interesting plans for this site – and the other sites too – as well as some important news to announce. This includes plenty of writing advice, examples of my poetry and fiction and the publication of my first ebooks and perhaps even a few pbooks (paper books) – I can dream can’t I? Stay tuned.

Current writing

In recent months I have done some writing as my health issues have allowed. Most of this writing has appeared on yet another site I manage. You can read this site here and any articles with TH at the end were written by me. Many more articles will appear there in the coming months.

Good writing – and reading.

Writing prompt: Sydney Harbour

No Comments »4th October, 2014; Category: Non Fiction, Short Fiction, The Writer's Life, Writing prompts

Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is such an iconic structure it is instantly recognisable the world over. Whenever we visit our son and our grandchildren in Sydney we cross this wonderful bridge a number of times on every visit. They live several railway stations north of the bridge or about an hour’s walk from home.

We have driven over the bridge, gone over it numerous times on trains, walked across it and gone under it on ferries. The only thing I haven’t done is the Bridge Climb OVER it (see photo below). Getting a bit old and shaky in the knees for that. Should have done it for my 60th Birthday Bash as I had planned.

Writing prompts:

If you have been to Sydney write about your experiences.
If you have been on the Bridge Climb describe the sensation of being up so high.
If you have not been on the climb, imagine what it would be like, describing the experiences.
Notice the huge pylons on each side and at each end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Imagine a murder takes place inside one of the towers. Write a short story about how this occurs, and the aftermath.
Write about the most unusual bridge you have ever seen.
Write about any rickety, unsafe or downright dangerous bridge you have crossed. (For me that would have to be the suspension bridges crossed while trekking in the Everest region of Nepal. DON”T look down!)
Write about a ferry ride on Sydney Harbour that turns very sour; someone is murdered or thrown overboard.
Write a poem about the beautiful harbour, the waves or the bridge itself.

Good writing.

People doing the “Bridge climb” in Sydney

Writing prompt: unusual pets

No Comments »13th September, 2014; Category: Writing Hints, Writing prompts

Alligator and presenter, Australian Reptile Park

I guess that most of us can remember having to write an essay, story or composition about pets while at school. This always caused me a few problems. I lived on a farm and although we had plenty of animals around us all the time, all of them were “working” animals; they all had a purpose, from the horses and cows to the pigs, dogs and ducks. Perhaps only the cats could be called pets, though they, too, had a role in minimising the number of mice around the house and sheds.

Sometimes I envied children who had unusual pets. Few pets, however, compare with the animal in today’s photos. A genuine, real, living alligator is not your average household pet. This animal is part of the show about reptiles at the Australian Reptile Park in Gosford, north of Sydney. This animal knows how to behave when in the presence of its keeper because it has lived with the keeper for many years and is well trained.

Trained or not – that alligator is not welcome in MY home.

Writing prompts:

Write about your pets – describing them, listing their likes and dislikes, their nature and their characteristics.
Write a poem about the most unusual pet you can imagine.
Write an article about keeping pet birds, reptiles, insects, or amphibians. some research may be needed.
Write a story about the day your pet boa constrictor took over your dinner party.
Write a poem about the time you took your pet lamb/puppy/fish/lizard to school.

Alligator and presenter, Australian Reptile Park

Alligator at Australian Reptile Park

Writing prompt: giraffes and other animals

No Comments »6th September, 2014; Category: Fiction, Poetry, Short Stories, Writing prompts

Are you looking at me?

I took the photo above on a recent visit to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, New South Wales.

The giraffe is looking straight at me as I was taking the photo, prompting me to think that it was wondering what I was doing – or perhaps it is thinking: “Are you looking at me?”

Hardly.

This photo was taken during the time when the general public can get up close and personal with the giraffes. Various species of animals have times set throughout the day when the public can feed and touch the animals. One has to pay for the privilege of interacting with the animals in this way. It also means you get your photo taken up really close as well.

On this occasion there were a few people lined up to feed the giraffes, and many more curious onlookers like ourselves. For the onlookers it also allows some excellent photographic opportunities. This is particularly so with such a large animal as the giraffe.

Writing prompts:

Write a story or essay explaining what the giraffe is thinking.
Write a poem about giraffes.
Write about a close encounter you once had with a wild animal – or one in a zoo or a cage.
Imagine that humans could ride on the backs of giraffes. Write a story about “The great giraffe race.”
Imagine being a giraffe for a day. What adventures do you have? Outline the good and bad aspects of being a giraffe.

Good writing.

Giraffe at Dubbo Zoo