Category Archives: Rhobin’s round robin
Oddballs from an oddball
Our November topic is: What is the oddest or most unique character you have ever dreamed up, and how did they fit into a story? The dictionary definition of an oddball is “a strange or eccentric person.” I certainly qualify, … Continue reading
Hey, what?
Rhobin Courtright set her group this topic: “What unique situations have occurred in the writing process of any of your novels? Perhaps, but not limited to things like where what you planned changed, or the direction you thought the story … Continue reading
Thickening the plot
In September, 2019, Rhobin wants to know, “In designing your plots, what do you rely on most: personal experience, imagination, or research?” Well, Rhobin, all I can say is, I don’t know! Twenty years ago, I could have given a … Continue reading
The page that won me an award
Well, that award was so long ago that the people who ran the contest, the New Zealand Writers’ Association, no longer have a website. Still, a prize is a prize. I have returned to it because Rhobin Courtright’s topic for … Continue reading
Writing fun, July, 2019
Winston Churchill once said, “The problem is not to find a solution, but to choose from the dozen possible solutions.” I don’t claim to be another Winston, but do share this affliction with him. So, I ALWAYS have more projects … Continue reading
Real life in stories
Rhobin wants to know: “Has an event in your life, or one of someone you know, or one covered in the news, ever worked its way into one of your stories?” There is only one answer: YES. I think this … Continue reading
What would you like to your readers to know about your novels and their purpose?
This is Rhobin’s homework task for me in May. In 1972, I was the father of two tiny children. My main task was the writing up of my otherwise completed PhD thesis, which was a BORING thing to do. There … Continue reading
Seasons again
Being preoccupied with the coming Australian election, I forgot this perfect contribution to writing about seasons. When my daughter-in-law turned 30, someone commiserated with her, saying it’d all be downhill thereafter. My response: Thirty Thirty is Summer. Not any more … Continue reading
Seasons
Seasons is what Rhobin would like us to write about in April. My immediate reaction was, “I don’t pay seasons much attention. At best, they are background.” Only… quite some time ago, she wanted us to write about the weather. … Continue reading
