Category Archives: Writing

From Tulips to Tolerance: Exploring the Dutch Cultural Journey

As my recent trip to the Netherlands revealed, there is so much to discover and admire about this small yet mighty country, notwithstanding the darker elements of its colonial past. These are some key highlights and takeaways. When you think of the Netherlands – or ‘Holland’ as it is often mistakenly called (Holland proper isContinue reading “From Tulips to Tolerance: Exploring the Dutch Cultural Journey”

Life after loss: Moving on, looking up

Answering the question ‘what happens after you lose someone/suffer a major loss?’ is one of those how-long-is-a-piece-of-string-type questions, in that a. each person handles and processes grief differently; and b. the truth is that you never really stop grieving. Even when you move on, there is always that big black hole of sorrow inside thatContinue reading “Life after loss: Moving on, looking up”

Postscript: My Lemonade

Another pithy saying people often blithely use is: ‘When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.’ Being that I am a writer, the only thing I know how to do with all the sh** that has happened this year — first my dad’s death, then my husband’s a few short months later — is to write about it.Continue reading “Postscript: My Lemonade”

Update on novel and upcoming Japan trip

Apologies to my readers as it’s been a while since I posted anything, but I have had quite a lot going on in the past few months, which I’ll explain briefly here – however as I am departing today (finally!) for a three-week trip to Japan, I promise to write a review of my tripContinue reading “Update on novel and upcoming Japan trip”

THE GIFT OF REST

Just as the Earth needs a period of dormancy before she can resume her profligate exuberance, so we as her creatures also need to receive the gift of rest so we will be revived for the next season of growth, life and development.

Storycraft Analysis: Margaret Atwood’s “Isis in Darkness”

The final reference to light (knowledge) in the midst of darkness leaves the reader lingering with him in the place of shadows, tasting with Richard the full bittersweet remorse of sacrificing one’s own art to a shadow occupation (in his case, as a literary academic).

Reflections on my writing journey: from journalist to aspiring novelist

Although I have been writing creatively all of my life, it was thanks to Covid that I finally decided to take one of those novel ideas and sit down daily to bash it out.

Questions for my readers: I need your help!

As this post-new year time of coming out of winter and heading into spring is usually a process of reflection and refining, I’d love some feedback from you on which topic(s) interest you most.

Porto-ohohoh!: Reflections on my recent salsa travels #2

Something about this arty, intriguing and deeply romantic city, with its air of failed colonial grandeur, has well and truly got into my veins