CJ and I have lofty savings goals for this year. We have just (barely) made it to halfway (and it’s October. Late October). We can still make it – but that means anything other than rent, bills, petrol, and food (in that order) is a no-no. However, we recently discovered a $50 Kmart gift voucher in oneContinue reading “#213: Shopping Spree!”
Author Archives: Felicity Banks Books
“Zeppelin Jack and the Deadly Dueller” story so far
NB: If you’re here looking for baby photos, you’re nearly there – just scroll down past this entry (or click on the “Daily Awesomeness” button on the left to make this entry disappear). “Zeppelin Jack and the Deadly Dueller” so far: 1 Marm grabbed both of us boys by the collars, but Nip wriggled away.Continue reading ““Zeppelin Jack and the Deadly Dueller” story so far”
#212: Visit hospital
Yesterday’s blog left you at 10:00am (after thirty hours of labour, including six hours of pushing) Monday morning. Today’s blog is pretending to be written on Monday afternoon. I knew something was wrong, so after trying the birthing centre I called my Mum, hoping she’d tell me I was being silly. She really didn’t. She wasContinue reading “#212: Visit hospital”
#211: Be a labour buddy
This blog is a sham! I’ve been lying to you all week! My sister went into labour on Sunday – while I was still staying in her house. Since it’s the official due date, and I’ve been given permission to tell the world, here’s how it all went down. I’ll pretend I’m writing this onContinue reading “#211: Be a labour buddy”
#210: Come Home
The best part of leaving is the coming home part. Last night I flew back into Canberra from Perth, and I couldn’t stop exclaiming over how nice my house is. (And also CJ, but I remembered that part pretty well.) My cats found me extra fascinating for a bit – although not as fascinating asContinue reading “#210: Come Home”
What publishers do with your book
Today’s awesomeness is #209: Share your knowledge. Which I’m doing by posting this. First, let’s make something very clear: Publishers do a lot of work. They might earn a steadier income than you or I (there’s perhaps a dozen in Australia genuinely doing well), but they work just as hard and love books just asContinue reading “What publishers do with your book”
#208: Fish Doctor
I believe I have successfully diagnosed a mortally dangerous flaw in my bro-in-law and sister’s fish tank (the water isn’t changed often enough – they’re already fish serial killers, and have been wondering why). The tank is, in itself, awesome. My bro-in-law set it up so the off button turns off the light. I’m prettyContinue reading “#208: Fish Doctor”
S#60: Rise and Shine
Today’s awesomeness is all about changing one’s morning routine. My normal routine is as follows: 1. Turn off alarm clock. Greet consciousness with a moan of existential despair. 2. Remember the existence of chocolate, and get up. Pat 1-2 cats, kiss 1 husband. 3. Have a glass of water while checking email just in case aContinue reading “S#60: Rise and Shine”
Further steampunk data (PG: a bit creepy)
Today’s awesomeness is #118: Clean someone else’s house. I’ve planned for several months to pull (slightly) more than my weight while staying here – since, after all, my sister could pop out a child at almost any moment. And onto today’s more thrilling tales of wonder (and, it must be mentioned by way of warning, aContinue reading “Further steampunk data (PG: a bit creepy)”
#116: Visit sundry relations (and, further steampunk tales)
I am in Perth, which is slightly farther from my home than New Zealand. The up side of Perth is that my sister and her husband live here, and my grandpa, and an aunt and uncle who I very rarely see (with the especial feature that my uncle is Indonesian). On Wednesday night, having discoveredContinue reading “#116: Visit sundry relations (and, further steampunk tales)”
A steampunk romance – and, windchimes
I’m reading Bill Bryson’s “At Home” which is all about how history made our homes the way they are (eg germs, telephones and electric lights all started drastically changing homes in the 1880s). Obviously, the Victorian bits are of particular interest. (And I can smugly note that he quotes Liza Picard’s “Victorian London” repeatedly –Continue reading “A steampunk romance – and, windchimes”
S#62: Find a Totem
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#207: Supermarket Treasure Hunt
The other day, I did something I’ve always wanted to do: a sensory treasure hunt. This is a game I invented, that you play with a friend (or a lot of friends) in a large store. Each team/individual finds five items. Each item is distinct in a way that links to one of the five sensesContinue reading “#207: Supermarket Treasure Hunt”
#206: Be Immature
Yes, yes I know: That title sums up so much of this blog. However. CJ and I and my friend and her partner walked to the shops one night and my friend decided that what my blog needed was to have us climb a ten foot high rope tower at a children’s playground. Despite wearingContinue reading “#206: Be Immature”
How to Write Steampunk
So, you wanna write a steampunk tale? I recommend you start by researching Victorian times – my favourite book is “Victorian London” by Liza Picard. Her section on bathing is hilarious. You can also go here, for some of the most beloved bits and bobs of steampunk compositions: http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1249132-SteamPunk-A-List-of-Themes You can read Richard Harland’s “Worldshaker”, “GirlContinue reading “How to Write Steampunk”
Three Things You Need to Begin a Novel
Some people believe you should write an outline of every scene before you begin. Others believe you should flow with the tale as it happens. I think that plot is important enough to deserve conscious thought – but I also believe that almost anything can be fixed by editing. And if you’re writing your first novelContinue reading “Three Things You Need to Begin a Novel”
S#44: No-one at home (and steampunk outfits)
*I accidentally posted this a day early, so tomorrow I’ll post some writing tips* For today’s awesomeness I changed my answering machine message to say, “Hello. You’ve reached Louise’s evil twin. Please leave a message, and any other information that might be helpful in my plan to take over her life, and then the world.”Continue reading “S#44: No-one at home (and steampunk outfits)”
Steampunk Earth Day Launch
On Saturday 30 October, wherever you are in the world, it’s time to play along at home. Steampunk (adjective): Victorian-inspired alternate reality for fiction and fun. How to join Steampunk Earth Day: Spend an hour or a full day doing any selection of these options: 1. Turn off the lights. 2. Turn off the AC/heater. 3.Continue reading “Steampunk Earth Day Launch”
#204: Sculpture Garden
Canberra’s National Gallery was built by orcs. It is designed to confuse and infuriate. Much as I generally like at least some of the art, I spend every visit to the National Gallery in a state of disoriented confusion due to the strange permutations of the building’s many and winding concrete corridors. My favourite partContinue reading “#204: Sculpture Garden”
#135: Bad Movie Night
Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear. It was bad. I knew it would be bad and it was. But I didn’t know it would be THAT bad. There are spoilers here, but don’t worry – you won’t care. We kicked off the day with “Robot Monster”. I just went to check the release date (1953)Continue reading “#135: Bad Movie Night”