First person

Two things happened today which crystallized something for me. They may seem unrelated, but they mark a moment of deep satisfaction in my writing journey and inspired me to own my truth.

A poem inspired by too much time looking at LinkedIn

An essay about family, place and a nagging obsession with photography.

I could have just described the view. But surely what we see is shaped by perspective? I added some context to give the imagery more meaning.

How an addiction to social media has hijacked my life. A moment of self-awareness leading to a commitment to change.

An article appeared recently addressing the question ‘What should I include in my personal bio?’. I struggled for days with the ‘About’ page on my website and once took more time to write a 50-word bio than the 1200-word story attached to it. So I read the article from tip to toe, seeking enlightenment. It was published by a professional development forum…

Resolve Departure heralded good intentions. No champagne, no sugary post-meal treats. Instead, the flight from Brisbane to Hong Kong was all water and fruit and naked salad. Seven days and a couple of extra kilos later I'm returning home, strapped in and waiting to push back, cursing my lack of discipline. Bircher muesli with fruit…

Dear ed I know you’re busy. I’m just wondering if you’ve had time to read that story I sent you a couple of weeks ago. I sent a follow up email as well. Maybe you didn’t receive it? I’m sorry to bother you again, but I really like that story. I invested a lot of…

I’ve been told before. I’ve read the advice. Hell, I’ve given the advice – don’t email in anger. Or when tired. Or when the tide mark on the wine bottle drops below the halfway mark. Last week I ignored those words of wisdom and shot off a cranky email to my kid’s history teacher. It…

It’s unlikely Peter Greste thought he could help anyone from his Egyptian prison cell in 2014. Convicted of spreading false news and aiding the banned Muslim Brotherhood, Greste was holed-up in a room 4m by 5m with two colleagues waiting to appeal his seven-year sentence. Back in Australia, this mother-of three on the creaky side…

I enjoyed a three-course meal and some stellar plonk recently with a bunch of professionals from life’s comfortable class; people who’ve all tasted the business lounge and five stars and platinum reserve seating. This was our third shindig together in as many years and because we only meet annually the event feels like a punctuation…