Some can do it*, and some just can’t**. *cats **humans – unless it’s somewhere safe.
Author Archives: Felicity Banks Books
Steampunk Art
Here‘s a site many of you will love – and here is why: There are dozens of pictures, and each one is brilliant. http://www.mykeamend.com/new/gallery/
Revise, but don’t re-use or recycle
I’m pretty sure I’ve linked to ex-agent Nathan Bransford before. (Incidentally, he’s just released a children’s book.) Here’s today’s article – a revision checklist, which I’m posting today as I re-re-re-re-revise my steampunk novel (I printed it out in hard cover, which always makes me see the book slightly differently, and thus more clearly). –Continue reading “Revise, but don’t re-use or recycle”
Horse
On the day of the steam train, a bunch of us wandered down a Bungendore street to a cafe. A horse in a field beside the pavement hung its head over the fence. I patted it on the nose, then invited my six-year old nephew to do the same. The horse was calm but optimistic.Continue reading “Horse”
Steam Train
Last Sunday, a bunch of my friends and family dressed up and rode a steam train (built in 1903). The ride was similar to any other train ride, except for the clouds of smoke and steam through the windows. The windows themselves, being antiques, would sometimes slam shut with no warning. This only added toContinue reading “Steam Train”
Surprise!
I have done something awesome. Something so awesome it’s going to change my life forever – and change this blog, too. It is very, very good – and required a little luck to achieve. I’m not going to tell you what it is. Not until exactly one week from now. I will tell you that ifContinue reading “Surprise!”
Eurovision Party
Eurovision: The world’s greatest drinking game*. You drink every time you see white pants, three or more nonsense syllables in a row (eg la, la, la), a dramatic key change, an on-stage costume alteration, lyrics that are in English (but barely recognisable as such), and so on. Eurovision is a massive international contest for upContinue reading “Eurovision Party”
Like to laugh?
If so, today’s miscellaneous Monday is for you. Ally Brosch‘s entire blog is hilarious (sometimes a little rude, although this entry is a-okay for any age). Her pictures look simple, but they convey so much. The God of Cake My mom baked the most fantastic cake for my grandfather’s 73rd birthday party. The cakeContinue reading “Like to laugh?”
A Desperate Adventure at Sea
In honor of Doctor Who’s recent pirate episode, here’s a true Australian story that actually predates steampunk (the first picture is from a mini-series I haven’t seen, and the second is yours truly on the Young Endeavour tall ship). From the appendices of “A Long Way Home” by Mike Walker ( the appendices are fromContinue reading “A Desperate Adventure at Sea”
Writing Historical Fiction
Depite its many gleeful anachronisms, steampunk is one form of historical fiction (which is why I wouldn’t recommend it to people who refuse to do research*) – so here’s a post by Glass Cases on doing it right. The full article is here. When You Should Go Back to the Future Some of you may haveContinue reading “Writing Historical Fiction”
Sit in the sun
Right now the Northern and Southern Hemisphere meet weather-wise as they head in opposite directions. The weather here is getting colder and colder, and my washing no longer dries fully on the line. But today was sunny. There wasn’t any rain, and there wasn’t any gale-force wind (yet). So I went outside (*gasp*) in my beanieContinue reading “Sit in the sun”
Politics of Fish
Right now, CJ and I have six fish. Gandalf is a male siamese fighting fish. He can’t live in a tank with other long-finned fish because they’ll attack each other, but in general I’ve found him to be surprisingly placid. Frodo is the last of our neon tetras, and is reasonably old now (named “Frodo” onContinue reading “Politics of Fish”
Save the world – in your PJs
Amnesty is an organisation that defends human rights internationally by researching unjust situations and then writing letters and petitions to those in power. Which means ordinary schlubs like you and I can simply go to their website, click a few buttons, and help save lives around the world. How awesome is that? http://www.amnesty.org.au/
Indulge your ennui
Meh. Couldn’t be bothered being awesome today. Anyone else just wanting a nice lie down? Here’s some cat pics to inspire you.
Science of dating
Here is a fascinating article on how to figure out if your date is a raving loony and/or compatible with you. It’s PG/M, because of discussion of romantic things (she says euphemistically). Here’s the beginning: First dates are awkward. There is so much you want to know about the person across the table from you,Continue reading “Science of dating”
Why pickling isn’t a popular form of burial (PG horror)
From “Colonial Ladies” by Maggie Weidenhofer, here’s a horrifying true story of two ladies: one dead, and one disturbed. Mrs Short had wanted her body taken back to England for burial. This account was written by the woman who sailed back with the corpse. . . . the only way was to put her in aContinue reading “Why pickling isn’t a popular form of burial (PG horror)”
Why your first book sucks
I follow Rachelle Gardner‘s blog. She is a sweet, selfless literary agent*. I was quietly surprised to see her post on four reasons you shouldn’t even bother submitting the first novel you write. Given that, shortly afterwards, she posted an entry that mentioned her gentle surprise at meeting many writers who don’t even read books in their own genre,Continue reading “Why your first book sucks”
Fish tanks are like tattoos. . .
. . . once you have one, you want more. And so it was that CJ and I bought another fish tank (just a little one, and with the totally rational excuse that our fighting fish would be happier on his own). Here it is, before little Gandalf was put inside: Naturally this meant I had anContinue reading “Fish tanks are like tattoos. . .”
I haz discovered cheese!
Pay attention, and I’ll tell you the secret to the most awesome home parties: Know the weaknesses of your guests. Here’s some examples from my own life: Parental units: They no longer have children at home sucking them dry, they have actual real jobs, and their mortgage is almost paid off. This means they have aContinue reading “I haz discovered cheese!”
Pie, professionalism, and panic
Today’s official awesomeness is pie. Specifically, pecan pie from the Cheesecake Shop. Being healthily obsessed with that particular pie, I decided to buy some two months ago (a rare treat) only to discover that my usual Cheesecake Shop haunt doesn’t make it any more! Disaster! Luckily, I was able to travel across town and buy one elsewhere.Continue reading “Pie, professionalism, and panic”