Iona Winter

Category: Uncategorized

  • Off she goes…

    I farewelled the Masters Thesis (aka ‘The Novel’) into the post last week. Released into the hands of the markers, acutely aware that I’ll not hear anything for months. But it’s done, kia mutu, finito. Bliss you might think. Fireworks and popping champagne corks. People saying, “CONGRATULATIONS, you must feel so good.” Nope. It’s…

  • Aural Feasts and Compost

    I’m pretty sure that some people thought I was running away, leaving the city and moving to the wop-wops. Maybe I was on a level. BUT I’ve escaped things that I’ll never miss, here’s a few to illustrate my point: traffic, pollution, mega-high rents, increasing rates of violence, and (generally speaking) other people’s…

  • Chook Pooh Blood Moon Thesis

    Who would’ve thought that collecting chook pooh would be added to my list of distractions from writing? Certainly not me – NEVER in a million years did I want to repeat ‘that which I grew up with’. That was until now. With a surplus of the feathery beasts manure, what is…

  • Going Country

    I’ve moved. I know, I know, I’ve been talking about it for over a decade! So you’ll be pleased to know I’ve done it, and you won’t have to listen to me fantasising about it any more. Neither will you hear me bemoaning life in the city, because I am…

  • Are hospitals places for inspiration?

    It’s a good question. Are hospitals good places for inspiration? Well they certainly could be, when one of my characters works in the medical field. Although I’m not sure it’s the best place for inspiration, when lying horizontal after surgery. You know, when you’re feeling kind of vulnerable, sedated, and not…

  • Eating and Feedback

    These past few weeks I’ve become fascinated with my eating. Well perhaps my use of ‘fascinated’ is overly generous…I’ve become somewhat obsessed. I know, I know, NOBODY wants to read another blog from a woman wittering on about weight, diets, how much they eat and so on. So I’ll stop right…

  • The Waiting Game

    I am waiting. Some say I have always had the patience of a saint. I am pretty good at waiting (cue elevator music). Waiting however, with my saint-like patience, is becoming tiresome. I’m starting to think that I’m far too understanding of other people (full stop). I don’t really want to make…

  • Endings & Goodbyes

    Endings and goodbyes are things I try to do well. In real life. In story-writing terms however, I’m not so great at them. Knowing how a story will end feels like trying to be a psychic. Does the process of writing (and rewriting) a story ever end? Most people (I think)…

  • Spelling Mistakes

    I have noticed (since I’ve been writing more) that I see spelling mistakes leaping out from other peoples pages. BUT it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to see them on my own pages. Why is that? Because I need new glasses? Maybe. Do other people notice spelling mistakes too? Maybe I…

  • I did it again, didn’t I?

    I’m sorry dear blog, but I’ve done it again. I’ve left you alone while twiddling my thumbs and avoiding writing. I realise ONCE AGAIN that it was a mistake. Sorry. There are numerous books I could read on the ‘craft’ of writing, and believe me there are several located in the vicinity…