Occasional ravings – The mysteries of submission

Like many of you, I occasionally submit to story and poetry sites and enter writing competitions. Like many of you, I find that success is rare. This is fully understandable, given the volume of submissions and entries that many of these calls receive and that most, if not all, rely on volunteer and/or low-paid judges. …

Short-listed at last !

Please excuse the minor piece of self-promotion but I've just made the short-list of 30 for the Better Read Than Dead annual short story competition in Australia, which had 200 entries. There could even be a cash prize if I make the top 3. Like many writers, I fling my work into the literary universe …

In celebration of women who make my heart sing

Apologies to those that may have read this in another (now defunct) blog life of mine but worth reviving I think. I've always been a sucker for women singers across a wide range of genres in a way that their male colleagues have never quite achieved. Of course I have my favorite male singers and …

Occasional Ravings – Charities and the cycle of funder abuse

This is a bit seriousy so you might want to skip it if you only like my funny bits. 😉 For many years I worked in the charitable/not-for-profit sector, including periods on both the funder and fundee side of the negotiation table. Despite all the funding appeals you see, it is now extremely rare for …

Currying disflavour

In my impending dotage (and you can stop that sniggering in the back row), I’ve discovered cooking and a penchant for adventure.  I found a recipe for squid stir-fry and imagined a song of praise from my goodly spouse. ‘Perfectly cooked squid, on an eclectic bed of seasonal vegetables, conjuring the exotic flavours and aromas …

Shoulda woulda coulda

The older I get, the more inclined I become to putting should on others and less inclined to put should on myself. Doug Jacquier 2020

Black, white and brindle truth

If you are sensitive about your beliefs then I'm not quite sure why you are following this blog. Nevertheless, this piece is more challenging and requires deeper thought than most. I look forward to your comments. All people of colour have a deep spiritual connection to the land of their ancestors. Never trust a black …

Occasional Ravings – Hanging out in the carpark

Let me set the scene. Our new home has the advantage of an elevated position, providing and idyllic view overlooking open paddocks, trees and the rolling hills that surround us. It also overlooks the rear of the local pub and its carpark. One of the less edifying aspects of that particular part of our view …

Lucky

I've just watched 'Lucky', a movie that Harry Dean Stanton (Paris, Texas amongst other triumphs) made in the same year that he died, at the age of 91. It is a funny, wise and engaging conversation about our final days that will bring insight and laughter in equal measure. It has many links with The …

Occasional Ravings – The great poetry joke

I read a couple of ‘poems’ in a daily newspaper today. Poems appearing in newspapers should be cause for celebration but, as always, it caused me despair. Below you will find the two poems: Freehold by Theodore Eli and Her Late Hand by Jaya Savige, as well as an extract from Sarah Holland-Blatt's breathless take …