The 2010 Short & Twisted is available from June 1. 

To order a copy go to http://www.celapenepress.com.au/short_and_twisted.html after June 1. 

There is a limited number of books printed, so don't tarry or you'll miss out.

Work In Progress

I've been working on a few picture book stories, all of which contain a native Australian bird as the protagonist. I recently submitted my favourite of the three completed ones to a publisher and wait to see if I will be pinning another rejection slip to my noticeboard or chilling a bottle of champagne. 

I'm also in the planning stages of a series of children's chapter books. As there is a lot to nut out in this series all I can tell you at the moment is that it involves a chest full of dress-up clothes, magical stones, an evil magician, and a temperamental fairy. 

Volunteer Writers

As I near the end of my diploma studies (Sorry, I forgot to mention I completed the Certificate IV at the end of 2008) I'm finding myself feeling less satisfied with my studies. It's not that I'm not still learning; it's because I'm feeling myself needing to take flight into the world of writing and learn the things I can't learn in a classroom. 

To help build my writing resume I joined CSL (Centre for Sustainability Leadership) as a volunteer writer. I transcribe interviews from the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Summit and create short (5-7 mins) inspirational scripts for their online teaching course.  I'm enjoying the challenge and the producer is not only happy with my work, she's agreed to be a referee on my writing CV. 

CSL - Centre for Sustainability Leadership

I've since suggested to the course co-ordinator at GippsTAFE that a non-fiction script writing course might be beneficial and was pleased that her response was that it was definitely a consideration.  I only hope it's available before I finish the diploma.

Sorry It's Been So Long

I apologise for the large gap in postings. I've had a few small successes in the last two years, which all add to my writing resume. One of my poems was published in 'Short & Twisted' in 2009 and I will have 2 mini-shorts published in 'Short & Twisted' this year.


Another of my poems was a finalist in the Moartz 2009 Take a Bow Writing Competition.


All small accomplishments, but we all have to start somewhere.

Online Study

I have found studying online convenient but challenging. Applying myself and completing what is required of me isn’t a problem; it’s leaving the study to do the housework that requires self-discipline.

Online study gives new meaning to effective communication for both teacher and student. The teacher has to ensure that their words are clear and not open to misinterpretation and the student must take the time to read things thoroughly, often more than once to ensure they fully understand what is required. If the student doesn’t understand they can always ask questions and are encouraged to do so. The problem is when the student believes they have understood the instructions only to learn they have misinterpreted on a grand scale.

Online study is a learning curve for both teacher and student. As long as both accept and embrace this, online study can only be improved.

A True Short Story

There is a new birthday law in our household and that is,

"No birthday shall pass without having cake."

The 20th of April was my dear hubby’s birthday. We have different ideas about what a good birthday entails. My ideal birthday includes being surrounded by my family, receiving many presents and eating cake after dinner! Hubby’s ideal birthday is having a nice meal with his family and really doesn’t mind if he has presents or cake.

Well, I was not my usual prepared self and ordered his presents online, too late for delivery to take place before his birthday. He didn’t mind because he still had presents from Jessica and Samantha and a small one I had bought for him earlier. I told him first thing in the morning that it was not going to be a good birthday because I hadn’t been organised enough to ensure everything went to plan.

He assured me it was fine and not to worry.

We went out in the morning to get a few groceries and as we were leaving the shops, I remembered that we hadn’t bought a cake yet. He assured me he didn’t want one and no matter how much I tried, he was adamant about not getting one. All the way home I was very down about his birthday. Not only was he missing some of his presents but now he didn’t have a cake either! He offered to get a cake for his birthday so the day was a good birthday for me. I then felt guilty so was quiet the rest of the trip home.

After the kids had their afternoon nap, Robert woke up with a high temperature. Five minutes after I gave him Panadol, he threw up on the lounge room carpet. I said to hubby, “I told you it was a bad birthday day!” It couldn’t get any worse could it?

I cooked roast beef for dinner; only it wasn’t really roast beef. It was corned beef, marinated for roasting. Hmmm, a bit dubious but we roasted it anyway. Yep, you’re right; it tasted like something that should have been boiled! And there was no cake for dessert!

Not to worry, bad birthday day was nearly over ... or was it?

Time to get the kids bathed and to bed. Hubby is enjoying crawling around on the floor with the little ones while I get everything ready for their bath. That is until he spins around too quickly in the wrong direction and hits his head so hard on the stair railing that he's nearly knocked himself out! After 10 minutes of holding his head trying to regain his senses, he finally gets to his feet nursing a very very bad headache.

Then I remember that I didn’t check the weather for the night, so I don’t know what to dress the little ones in for bed, so hubby runs down stairs to find out and slips on his ass half way down the stairs.

After ensuring he was okay, the only thing left to say was,

“We should have bought a cake!”

Pondering the choices we make at our crossroads is like revision in the school of life.
Regretting the mistakes or taking for granted the successes, means we have learnt nought.
An attentive student will gain wisdom from the mistakes and joy from the successes.