Juicy Worms

Since I recently came out as an author, people have been saying to me, “Well this whole corona virus thing must be providing you with lots of material to write about.”

The problem is that I spent a good fifty years living, working and pondering the world before I understood it well enough to scratch out a story or seven.

Essentially, I see the world as a winner take all capitalist economy that pretends to be a civilisation. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not a pessimist. I also see the world chock-a-block full of decent, kind, generous, hard working, funny and creative people, who everyday punch out loving and meaningful lives.

Now, everything has changed. I haven’t got a clue what to write about.

Now that I know firsthand how long it takes to write a book, then edit the thing, then get it accepted by a publisher, and then for the publisher to get it out in print and/or e-book, I’m thinking, “Hell’s Bells, what on Earth will the world be like at that point in the future!”

I do have another collection of short stories I was working on for my second book. But will they be relevant anymore, after the pandemic? When people are permitted to un-isolate themselves, who knows what decisions will be made about the economy? Will it, as I fear, be a simple matter of kick-starting the beast back into action. Business as usual. Back to work folks, debts to be paid off, got to keep the economy growing. Or will we wake up a bit and understand that a growing economy is the problem and not the solution?

In the meantime, I’ll scratch around a bit. The chooks out in the backyard have taught me a few things. Don’t stop scratching, there’s a juicy worm or two out there in the dirt.

Uncertainty Reigns

I’m not sure what I am going to be allowed to do tomorrow.

Things are changing rapidly.

There are new rules for Australia everyday and then there are the rules for NSW. When the day dawns, this Monday, I’ll turn on the transistor radio to get an update. This may, or may not, enlighten me as to whether or not I’ll be working later this week, and, if walking to the beach for a swim will be banned or frowned upon as NON ESSENTIAL.

But here’s something I do know:

from 23 March to 30 June Ginninderra Press are offering all customers 20% discount on purchases made through the Ginninderra Press website – just enter COVID in the coupon code box.

It looks like this:

Click on image above, or HERE, to take advantage of this fabulous reading opportunity.

Shameless marketing of my own book, I know! But, you can of course buy any book you desire from the fabulous collection of Australian Literature published by Ginninderra Press.

Take care everybody.

Apparently

Image courtesy of

David Clode

Apparently, now is the time to get on with all those creative ideas that we’ve had bubbling away on that back burner in our brain. Because, apparently, up ‘til now we’ve been so occupied by sprinting flat out in the human race to get ahead, that there has been no spare time or energy left over for pursuits, such as writing or sketching or nurturing a garden.

Apparently, we are so programmed to achieve, that even in lockdown, or self isolation, we need to still be productive!

Or, what about being nice to others, and reconnecting with family and loved ones. Apparently, we haven’t be doing enough of that while we’ve working, or searching for work, to keep that roof over our heads and food on the table.

Now, if creative pursuits or human relationships aren’t your thing, apparently, according to fifty squillion emails in my Junk folder, the winding down of the rat race is the perfect time to make a small fortune with bitcoins! Apparently, even while a microscopic life form is teaching us an important lesson about the dangers of exponential growth, the economy still trumps everything else.

How about we just have a rest? Put up the feet and shift the nervous and endocrine systems into neutral. Do that for as long as required. Let our own minds and bodies decide when we’re ready to go again. Apparently, that could be good for our health.