Category Archives: Entertainment/Travel/Activities

Costumes

With Supanova fast approaching, we’ve been busy making some new costumes. There are so many things I enjoy about creating costumes. Choosing a style or character to base it on, designing the outfit, choosing material and fittings and of course seeing it all come together.

We’ve been researching medieval style garments, drawing up patterns and testing them and spending many hours in fabric shops being distracted by all the things we don’t really need, but might find useful for future projects.

We’ve finished a handful of items and have patterns created for others, but there are still many more to create. I’m looking forward to not only continuing to make the costumes, but wearing them at Supanova in November. On some of the days we’ll wear costumes from previous years, possibly with a few new items added to them, but there will also be a day or two that we’ll wear new costumes. As usual, there will be a group of us, dressed in our different outfits, with various displays as backdrops. And that is another thing I can’t wait to see. How the latest display turns out. Not long now and I’ll be able to see how it all comes together.

So if you’re in Brisbane this November, why not come along to Supanova. There’s no need to wear a costume, but if you do, I’d love to see what it is.

Other Realities

When writing, even though I can focus on my surroundings, I often become totally immersed in the story as well. Which means I can be walking on my treadmill and conscious of my surroundings while clearly able to see the characters and their surroundings. Like a movie overlaid on reality. Or being in two realities at once. Which sometimes leads to a bit of confusion when people ask me what day or month it is. There’s always the chance I’ll give the day or month of the story if I’m writing a contemporary novel. Part of that is probably due to the fact I don’t keep track of days in real life as well as I keep track of them in my stories. I do realise the mistake and correct myself immediately, but it can lead to some entertaining moments.

The ability to write while doing other things, including using a voice to text program has meant that I have far more first drafts written than I have published. It takes a lot more time to edit, as well as the cost of having them edited, than it does for me to write a first draft. There are also the stories I’ve written for fun, in between my other projects since somehow when I take a break from writing, I end up writing something else. But to me, it does feel like taking a break as I’m visiting and discovering other locations.

I love the fact I can immerse myself in other worlds, not only while writing, but also while reading the works of other authors. There are so many places and worlds I’ve visited through the words on the page or screen. I really enjoy having the ability to bring words to life in my mind as images that are as clear as the world around me. It means that every day can include a journey to another place, time or reality and be filled with new discoveries.

Satchel

While working on Guardians Of The Round Table 2: Goblin Boots, we realised that a character was adding a lot of items to a satchel and we had no idea if they’d all fit. So of course we needed to make one to find out for certain. And just in case you’d like to make one too, here are the details on how we made it.

Satchel Pattern

1cm seam allowance is included in the pattern. Sturdy material such as drill or light denim can be used.

Satchel strap: 11.5cm x 50cm (cut one on the fold, with the 11.5cm edge on the fold)

Satchel body: 30cm x 40cm (cut one on the fold, with the 30cm edge on the fold)

Satchel sides: 7cm x 29cm (cut two)

Satchel Instructions

Fold material in half and pin pattern pieces into place. Cut out. Make sure you don’t cut along the fold (shown at the top of the following image).

With the back of the material face up, fold over the edges of satchel strap and iron into place.

Fold the satchel strap in half, iron in place and pin. Sew around the edges.

Pin the satchel sides to the body of the satchel, making sure the outside of the material pieces are facing each other.

Pin the bottom of the satchel side to the body of the satchel, turning the material so the bottom edge lines up with the satchel material.

Turn the material so the second side can be pinned to the body of the satchel. It is important that the sides of the satchel both reach the same point on the body of the satchel. (When pinning the corners, the material of the body of the satchel will be rounded. This will be sorted during the sewing stage.)

Sew the sides to the body of the satchel, stopping 1cm from the top at the back of the satchel. Mark the location with a pin so you know how far to sew.

When you are 1cm from each corner, keep the needle in place, lift the foot and turn the material so you can sew along the next edge. Keep the material of the satchel body spread out at the corners so it doesn’t become bunched up or sewn to the wrong section.

Zigzag along the edges of the sides to prevent fraying. Don’t go past the 1cm point marked on the back of the satchel sides.

Hem the sides and front of the satchel. Fold at half a centimetre, then fold again. Iron and pin in place. Sew along the hem.

Hem the flap of the satchel, doing the sides first and the front edge last.

Pin each end of the strap to the top of the sides of the satchel with a 4cm overlap.

Fastenings such as buttons can be used to finish off the satchel, but they aren’t necessary.

An Overdose Of Cuteness

I was surprised to discover it was possible to visit the local RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and play with the cats and kittens. Or at least play with the sociable ones. So if you’re unable to have pets where you live and would love to spend time with some cute and adorable animals, why not contact your local animal shelter and see if they allow visits. It’s also likely that they’re in need of other help as well and would appreciate volunteers who are interested in helping take care of the animals who find themselves in need of a home.

The day we visited the local RSPCA there were several kittens, all wanting to play. There were also older cats, some that wanted time alone, while others were excited to have visitors and demanded to be patted. The kittens pounced on the toys that were provided for them to play with, raced around with each other and purred loudly when they stopped long enough for some attention.

They were all so adorable and playful, several trying to escape their rooms to try and follow visitors home. It was extremely difficult to resist them when they looked pleadingly up at you as you headed out of the room, their eyes begging to be taken home with you. And it wasn’t only the kittens who were adorable. There were cuddly older cats, regal ones and ones that stretched out in front of you expecting to be patted.

So if you’re looking for an overdose of cuteness, why not see if your local animal shelter allows visitors. I know the cats and kittens at our local one enjoyed all the attention they received the day we visited.

One Man’s Treasure

I have a tendency to keep things. Odds and ends that appear to have no use. I have cupboards neatly stacked with broken items, material, left over pieces from projects and things I currently have no use for. I have been accused more than once of being a pack rat or a hoarder. Yet when I start a new craft project or someone is in the middle of a project and can’t find the exact piece they need, those cupboards of items become treasure troves waiting to be plundered.

Buttons for a vest, a piece of lace for a trim, bits and pieces for a decorative finish, items to personalise an otherwise bland purchase. It is amazing how many things can be reused, recycled or turned into something new. Some of my steampunk costumes have benefited from raiding my cupboards of treasures. Ribbons, lace, buttons, metal loops, fine chain, left over material, scraps of leather. You never know what you might find and what it might one day become.

Hidden in the Mist

I can never look at a picture without seeing more than what is there. It doesn’t matter what that picture is or how tranquil and peaceful the scene appears. I’m imagining things behind the cascade of a waterfall. Hidden caves, hollows where creatures lurk, traps for the unwary. Off in the distance creatures hide in the mist, waiting for it to spread and cover more of the land. The bushes with their burst of colours are camouflage for creatures with sharp claws and long fangs. Beneath the still water are monsters that will drag in those who venture too close.

A tranquil place for a picnic? Maybe for some. But my imagination has it filled with horrors waiting to strike. Waiting for the innocent to enter the area, traps ready to be sprung. Only time will tell which will get them first.

Is it any wonder I have an endless supply of story ideas to write? Stories are everywhere I look. Waiting to be told.

Supanova, Brisbane 2017

Once again we attended Supanova, Brisbane. It was far more crowded than previous events, but equally enjoyable. As always I felt at home, loving all the costumes and having fun figuring out who each person was portraying. It was great to see people dressed as some of my favourite characters.

 

Our display this year outdid the previous ones and Clint did an amazing job recreating a scene from Assassins Of The Dead 2: Dragon Touched. There was also a beautiful timber counter with a display in the front for some of my books. One of the biggest hits of our display was the 4.2 metre long articulated snake that is made mostly from PVC pipe and must have featured in hundreds of photos. I can’t wait to see what Clint will create for next year.

  

We took so many photos it was difficult to choose which ones to post. If you would like to see more, you can check what I put on Facebook. Or better yet, why not attend Supanova, Brisbane next year and experience everything for yourself. And if you do, come and say hello. Like previous years I loved catching up with old friends and meeting new people and I’m looking forward to doing so again next year.

 

Characters

Sometimes, no matter what I do, a character will refuse to behave and do what I want them to do. It feels like they have taken on a life of their own. I know it’s because I’m trying to make them do something the character wouldn’t normally do, but the following is a little like what it feels like when characters become so well formed it seems like they have taken over a story.

 

Character: (folds arms across chest with a stubborn look) No.

Me: Who is the writer here? Now do as you’re told.

Character: No.

Me: Oh come on. Do this little thing for me. What can it matter?

Character: I’d never do anything like that.

Me: This is my story and that’s where I want it to go.

Character: Too bad.

Me: Please. Pretty please with cherries on top and sprinkles and chocolate and… hmm, I’m getting hungry. Are you hungry too?

Character: You won’t distract me that easily. The answer is still no.

Me: If this story doesn’t work it’s your fault.

Character: No it’s not. You need to write the story that suits me. Now stop trying to change me and write my story.

Me: (mutters under breath) Damn characters. Think they own the story. Always trying to tell me what to do.

Character: (with a slight smile) I do own this story. Isn’t it all about me?

Train Adventures

During primary school we took a long journey on a train. My mum, two younger siblings and myself. There were so many things about it I found fascinating. We were in a sleeper carriage and the bunk was like a different world. A place to not only curl up with a book, but to catch glimpses through the window of the scenery outside. There were stretches of open land, not a house in sight, towns filled with people, railway sidings that if you had blinked you might have missed them. I thought of ways to describe the places we travelled through, wondered about who might have lived there or what was in the area. I also wondered about where we were headed, but was mostly fascinated by where we currently were.

Of an evening, as I fell asleep, the sound of the train travelling across the track made a unique sound. It was mostly a rhythmic lullaby, reminding me I was going somewhere, even as I slept, my dreams filled with equally fascinating adventures.

There were times when the sleeper felt cramped, especially with my younger siblings cooped up inside the cabin too. The corridor outside the sleeper was also an interesting spot. Large windows to the passing world, strangers on their own journeys and two directions leading to other carriages. I would have loved to explore the entire train, but sadly that wasn’t possible. But there was more than enough to keep me interested in the sections where I was allowed and of course I had books with me. When you love to read there is always something to do.

When we arrived at our destination, there was yet more to see. The station was crowded. There were numerous people, a mixture of noises, bright lights and lots of colour. So much to see, so many things to feed my imagination and fuel more ideas for stories.

It’s memories like this that I draw on when writing. Using them to add a touch of realism to even my fantasy novels. The wonder of going to new places, discovering interesting things and meeting fascinating people. I still enjoy travelling. Going to out of the way places and often taking random directions because they look or sound interesting. Not only do I enjoy travelling myself, but I also love to hear about other people’s journeys too. They can be as fascinating as experiencing my own travels.

Reading And Writing

I often have people ask if I read. I couldn’t imagine not reading. I’ve read most of my life and before I was able to read, I pestered other people to read to me. Sadly no one wanted to read to me all day, every day. Which is probably part of the reason I learned to read so young.

Other writers ask if I’m worried I might begin to imitate other authors if I read their work. There’s an easy solution to that. Read more books choosing a variety of authors. The perfect excuse to read more. But seriously, as an author you eventually develop your own style. It will change and evolve over the years, but there will always be something distinctly unique about it. Something that makes your style different to that of other authors.

As an author, reading is important, not only for enjoyment, but to continually learn and improve. So much can be gained from reading good books. For anyone who is interested in writing, you can learn many writing techniques by looking at how an author has written a novel. Seeing the different techniques in use. But best of all, it’s a fun pastime.