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How to Deal With a Poor Editor
Most editors are good editors, but occasionally a writer may find themselves dealing with an inexperienced editor whose changes are not helpful. This is a situation that needs negotiating carefully.
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Cyber Bullying Hurts!
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What Is Urban Fantasy?
Modern dark fantasy writer Cecelia analyses the essential elements that make up the emerging genre of "Urban Fantasy."
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Whatever Is Next For Married At First Sight (Australia)?
Married At First Sight Australia is a television reality show that revolves around the premise that matching a number of couples up for NON-LEGALLY BINDING onscreen marriages is a "social experiment". Over the years, the show has degenerated to a drama fest!
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A Fee Increase for the OpenLearning Course Platform
OpenLearning, a platform where educators (or even mere enthusiasts) can host online courses, used to be free to educators, or charge 15% of the course fee for certain courses. But now OpenLearning charges educators a substantial monthly fee for a subscription.
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Hiring a Ghostwriter - to Buy or Not to Buy?
Ghostwriters write the story for you and do not claim any credit. Is this legal? Is it wise? And if you decide to use a ghostwriter, are they good value?
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The Pros and Cons of Buying Services From Fiverr
The site Fiverr is a legitimate business, but it offers a variety of gigs from a range of sellers. When you need something, it is tempting to use, but you need to stay safe.
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What It's Like to Participate in Author Shout Cover Wars
Author Shout Cover Wars allow authors to promote their writing by entering the book into a weeklong competition based on the appearance of the cover. Entry is free, and participation has a limited range of benefits.
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Things I Learned From Married at First Sight
Married at First Sight Australia 2018 has achieved high ratings because of its controversial relationship pairings.
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The Kindle Scout Experience for Writers
This article analyses Kindle Scout as a publicity tool. The program does offer contracts to some authors, but has many advantages for Amazon/Kindle and less direct benefits for the authors.
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Terence was bored (More original school yard fiction)
Flash fiction written about school yard hopes, dreams and incidents!
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Sword and Sorcery Books by Cliff
A unique perspective on the genre of Sword and Sorcery fantasy novels, written by guest writer Cliff.
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"Life" (2017) Brings a Cthulhu-like Alien Back from Mars
"Life" is a screamer movie. An alien is discovered and begins to kill the crew, who try to kill it, but it escapes and reaches earth. The film echoes "Alien" and H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos.
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What Is Wrong With the Ending of Roswell Season 2?
The television series Roswell ran from 1999 to 2002, and centred around the premise that a crashed ship had disgorged four children developed to blend in with the human population. Watch on DVD!
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Allied: a preview with no spoilers...
Allied is a spy drama which will be screened in cinemas on December 26, 2016.
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The best and worst original series timeline Star Trek Movies.
The Star Trek Original Series and Next Generation share a compatible timeline. I have ranked the movies from ones I find most watchable to the least watchable.
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Star Trek Beyond successfully continues the reboot
Star Trek (2009), Star Trek: into darkness and Star Trek: beyond are the latest offerings in the Star Trek saga. they feature younger versions of original crew members of the USS Enterprise.
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Opportunity Shopping For Fun
Searching through op-shops can be fun. Collectable items include China, silver jewellery, silver plates cutlery and tableware, designer clothes, antique furniture and vintage dolls.
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Was the review that said Warcraft "tanked" a pun?
In gaming terms, a tank is a character who can absorb damage, survive and go on to win the battle. The film Warcraft: the beginning could ultimately do the same in terms of revenue and popularity.
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Warcraft: an enjoyable gaming adaptation
Warcraft: the beginning is an enjoyable film best compared to other gaming adaptations, rather than book-based classics of science fantasy. It has good effects, characterisation and an action plot.
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Superman versus Batman: movie challenges fans but delivers action
Fans have rejected and criticised the new Superman film, Batman versus superman: dawn of Justice. However, a close ananysis shows it does fit into the Superman mythos.
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Does the Film Improve on the Book in "Divergent: Allegiant"?
The "Divergent" series started with a great movie. The sequel, "Insurgent", failed to deliver a thrill. I read the final book, "Allegiant", and did not like it. Could the film be better than the book?
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Spoiler Alert: does reading the Mockingjay book ruin the movie?
Reading MockingJay made me feel positive about the Hunger Games and long for the final two-part movie. However, reading Alliegiant had the opposite effect on my perception of the Divergent series.
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How to promote Language development using Marion Blank's levels of questioning
Includes free downloadable language development pictorial aids complete with questions based on Marion Blank's "levels of questioning". Suitable for literacy development, language delay and Autism.
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Asbestos in popular crayons
I am passing on a safety warning for parents of pre-school children who may have purchased crayons containing asbestos for their children.
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The Problem of Intellectual Property in Photographs and Pictures
The ownership of pictures is not always clear as there may be a photographer, client and other individuals involved in the creation. However, like any work of art, pictures are protected by copyright
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Maze Runner sequel disappoints expectations
A review of Maze Runner: the scorch trials explains why Maze Runner was great and how the sequel was less satisfying. Science Fantasy. Dysfuntional realities fiction. Behavioural Psychology.
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Pixels - a real blast from the past!
Pixels is an enjoyable family movie released in 2015. Aliens supposedly send warriors from retro and vintage arcade games to attack the earth. Fun, laughter, drama. Peter Dinklage!
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Saint Patrick's Day for Australians
Many Irish immigrants to Australia and Australians of Irish descent celebrate their heritage on March 17, St. Patrick's day.
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Tribute to Leonard Nimoy
Best known for his long running starring role as Mr. Spock on Star Trek.
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Celebrating Chinese New Year in Australia
Many people in Australia celebrate Chinese Year with banquets, family gathering, market visits and good luck rituals. People of non-Chinese background also enjoy the rich cultural celebration!
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Two Lactose Free Recipes: Pepperoni Pizza and Fragrant Beef Biryani
Lactose intolerance can be painful and limit the dietary options of sufferers. This page contains 2 recipes: a tasty pizza that can be made without cheese and fragrant beef biryani with coconut milk.
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10 Healthy Ways to Deal With Valentine’s Day If You Have No Valentine
Valentine's day can be painful to someone who has no current relationship. Instead of wallowing in pain and anger, do something for yourself or others and have a pleasant day despite the pressure!
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Repairing Vintage and Retro Jewellery
One woman's trash is another's treasure. Learn how pre-loved and broken jewellery can be repaired and transformed into wearable fashion pieces.
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Your Jewellery Personality
We all wear jewellery for a range of reasons including matching our mood, showcasing recent gifts (or love tokens) and enhancing our appearance. When we are shopping we also are all attracted to different pieces of jewellery. While our jewellery...
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Gourmet Pumpkin and Bacon Pizza
Recipe for pumpkin and bacon pizza with variations on the dough recipie
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When Did Science Fiction and Horror Become Mainstream?
According to a list of American Films released in 2013: around 41 horror films and 23 Science Fiction (including super-hero) films were released. This is not counting action adventure, thriller and fantasy films which may contain horror and science...
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Game of Thrones Ascent - What Is Your Allegiance?
Stark, Lannister, Greyjoy, Baratheon and Targaryen. Who do you love? Who do you hate? Choose your allegiance in Game of Thrones Ascent.
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Adventure in Oz with L. Frank Baum
The Wizard of Oz by Frank L Baum has been made into a popular musical. The movie is so well known many people do not know there was an entire series of the Oz books, well worth reading for children.
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The Tyranny of Popular Facebook Games
Facebook games advertise as free, but require players to spend gold to get items. Most have to be checked frequently to harvest bonuses or defend resources. Is this really fun? Vote in the poll today!
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Make a Crown for April Fools Day
Instead of playing nasty jokes on April Fools Day, kids can make a crown and be "king of the day". This positive thinking will spread goodwill.
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The Joys of Identifying Antique Tea Sets
Treasures can be found amongst the family crockery. Check the manufacturing mark on the back. Examples include Japanese post-war imports, Chinese Fine China, Fireking USA, Aynsley, and Towerbrite.
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How to Recognise and Treat Salt Damp
Experience based account of salt damp in a building, brief scientific explanation, hints on treatment and care.
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Bringing Christmas Into the City for 80+ Years
The Magic Cave was first decorated in Rundle Mall in South Australia in 1896. Now the associated Christmas Pageant has run for nearly 80 years... with an important milestone due in 2013!
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Vampires, Zombies, and Becoming Fairy Queen: The Trend Toward Supernatural Romance
Analysis of popular supernatural romances read by teen girls. Examples include Twilight by Stephanie Meyer and Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr.
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Rusty Bugles: Australian War Comedy
Rusty Bugles is an Australian drama written by Samuel Locke Eliot. It played in the theatre in 1948 and was televised in a shortened form on 23 July 1965 (Elliot 1980:Xvi, xxix.) Rusty Bugles explored the camaraderieof men sharing close quarters,...
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Realism, rascism and seduction in Brumby Innes
Set in the wild north-west of Australia, "Brumby Innes" by Katharine Susannah Prichard is a play with controversial subject matter such as abuse of indigenou and the seduction of a socialite.
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Drought, death and disingenuity in The Touch of Silk
The Touch of Silk was an Australian radio and theatre play with tragic melodrama. It features drought, death and sex on a farm in the Australian mallee.
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Classism and Credulity in "The Currency Lass"
A touch of drawing-room humour along with some song and dance makes this early Australian drama a delight.
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The Way of The Cross (Via Crucius)
The way of the cross is a moving meditation. It is often performed by congregations around the Easter season.
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Men in Black as "serious" Science Fiction?
A comparison of the comedy film "Men in Black" with the genre of dedicated science fiction.
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"Flow" and an hour of television
Watching television involves seeing advertisements, newsflashes, the beginning and end of shows surrounding your target shows. Each hour of television is thus a unique historical experience.
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How to make a book cover for Mother's Day
Paper book covers can be measured and folded to fit any book. An ideal gift if made from children's art work!
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The Family Christmas Tree in Life and Literature
Reminiscences about family Christmas trees. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and links to free ebooks.
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Trying Out for The Team (Original School Yard Fiction 2)
Jonah had always wanted to represent his school at sport, but there were many bigger, stronger kids....would his turn ever come?
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The Girl who Wanted to be Mary (Original School Yard Fiction 3)
The class was producing a Christmas play. The children had been planning the play since the beginning of fourth term, and all the parents were coming along to watch. The children had been practicing carols to sing and teacher had designed a script...
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Daniel and the Art Competition (Original fiction from the school yard)
First of a series of short fictions by Cecelia, featuring "Daniel and the Art Competition" and "Terence was Bored"
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What Does It Take to Be a Convincing Father Christmas?
Every church or club has an "uncle" who dresses as Santa every year - I just never expected it to be my Dad... so what does it take to act as Father Christmas and convince the group he is authentic?
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Shakespeare - and Halloween?
The plot of A Midsummer Night's Dream is very simple. A group of lovers wander into the forest on midsummer-night's eve...however, because it is a magical time when the mystical world opens to the everyday world these lovers become embroiled briefly...
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Make the Playstation 3 backwards compatible around the world!
Some years ago I chose to purchase a PlayStation 2 because it could bridge the gap in our gaming technology until I upgraded to the next family computer. The PlayStation 2 could also double as a DVD player, so it was excellent value at the time. ...
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Retro Games - The Sims
Discussion of The Sims 1, which is now a retro game, but was the beginning of my Sim addiction.
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How to Make a Cat Mask (+3 More Masks)
This article teaches you how to make a lightweight and attractive cat mask created from a paper plate. Three other easy masks are included!
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Play Based Learning - Can Toys Really Teach?
An investigation of the philosophy underlying popular "play based" pedagogy in Early Childhood Education. Toys may have limited educational value if offered to children in a haphazard fashion, however, when interwoven with attention from carers toys may stimulate creativity and development.
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Reality Television - entertainment that goes where research cannot
What is the difference between putting people under the microscope, spotlight or camera? Reality television shows conduct "experiments" on willing volunteers that the scientific community is ethically restrained not to conduct.
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Resources and Ideas for School Christmas Plays
Being involved in a Christmas play is great fun, whether the play is religious or secular, a variety show, drama or pantomime. It is also good experience for children as it develops confidence and communication skills. One of the simplest and...
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Liturgical Drama
Church Drama with a focus on Nativity Plays. Links to prominent Christmas programmes and displays are included.
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2D Games
2 dimensional computer games of the 1980s and 1990s were a delight to play. Graphics weren't as sophisticated as today, but colours were vibrant and imagination created many fascinating levels.
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Dungeons and Dragons Gaming related Fiction
The DragonLance Series by Margaret Weis and Tracey Hickman are intelligent and enjoyable novels developed after a series of gaming adventures.
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How to prepare for an English Communication Exam
Explains the format and expectations of an English communication exam requiring a reflection discussion essay. Suitable for final year of school, college, adult re-entry, mature age exams.
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Four Types of Animated Children's Film
Cartoons are "just cartoons" aren't they? They can be funny, but they are for kids and there is nothing very important about them. Wrong! In my recent studies at the University Of New England (Australia) I had my eyes opened. Cartoons are very...
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Master's Thesis: The Fairy-Tale Motif and the Victorian Novel
Online summary of my thesis "The Fairytale Motif in the Victorian Novel" presented to the University of New England (Australia) in partial satisfaction of the degree of Master of Letters 1996
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Children's Books and Fantasy
The nature of fantasy. Educational value for a child. Fun quizzes.