Tag: writing

• I am Andrew and I am an OverResearcher : Writing Out Loud #2

  “You over-research too much,” she said to me. I looked up from my desk, covered in academic papers. Then down at the floor, strewn with textbooks, references and more academic papers. “Do I? I suppose I do.” My wife shook her head at me. My name is Andrew and I am an over researcher. My…

  Andrew Whalan

  July 10, 2017

  Opinions, Personal

  Great Hinckley Fire, Hinckley, History, Minnesota, Research, short story, writing, Writing Out Loud

• Writing Out Loud #1 : The Short Story that Grew…

  If I wait long enough a story appears. It’s my calling to catch and keep it. Usually a pen or Evernote is in reach. Then  the work begins: to unravel the story into most of its truth. The rest is for the reader or remains unknown. Like unravelling a twisted string strand by strand….or unwrapping…

  Andrew Whalan

  July 4, 2017

  Personal

  writing

• The Great Blow

  I couldn’t feel the heat through my uniform. I couldn’t smell the smoke that made me cough. I couldn’t even hear the roar of the wildfire. The hell and brimstone I heard preached so often is happening to me. And I pray. I place myself in front of God, in faith. It’s like the book…

  Andrew Whalan

  March 27, 2017

  Stories

  America, Fiction, Great Hinckley Fire, History, Minnesota, writing

• You Call THIS Love

  Andrew Whalan

  March 25, 2017

  Poetry

  art, love and friendship, Poetry, writing

• The Lingering Look (of a Book Lover)

  It’s no task at all. Simply take the books you don’t want and put them into the two spare boxes. But to succeed at this meant I had to be a zombie bricklayer. Pick up a book, one in each hand from the first pile. Then with closed eyes transfer to the outgoing book box. Then I…

  Andrew Whalan

  January 5, 2017

  Personal

  author, bibliophile, books, Humour, writing

• Waiting for The Sequel

  On a not-so-crowded train. She is the only one standing. Back pressed against the only space that is neither seat nor door. Light brown curly but wiry hair, clear open face, same colour eyes (my best guess as far as I can see), all fully engrossed and engaged. The bumps and lurches of the train…

  Andrew Whalan

  May 9, 2016

  Personal

  first person, Listening, people, reading, train, women, writing

• Does The Pen Hear More than the Keyboard?

  “I probably won’t be using that.” It wasn’t a derisory or demeaning disclaimer. Just a calm statement: this is not for me. I never was much of  a software salesman anyway. I had livened up a not-so-interesting training session by describing an upcoming software feature. It may or may not be in the next future…

  Andrew Whalan

  March 8, 2016

  Personal

  diagnosis, doctor, electronic forms, geekspeak, notes, notetaking, paper, pen, technical writing, trainee, training, writing

• Talent : The Gift is Borrowed.

  Many years ago I wrote a speech called Through the Eyes of a Child. And a story called Medicine Woman. In both cases the sensation was exactly the same. I’m sitting there, open-mouthed, literally watching the pen write the words in front of me. It would be great if that happened all the time. But it…

  Andrew Whalan

  July 22, 2015

  Personal

  creativity, gift, Listening, story telling, talent, writing

• Once A Writer….

  Quite possibly the people in this conversation may recognise themselves so apologies (accolades and gratitude actually!) to all in advance. I’m in the queue with my two or three bags (by then) of fruit and vegetables. I’m not prone to queue rage as I’m second in the queue. In front of me is a woman with…

  Andrew Whalan

  January 20, 2015

  Personal

  artist, Conversation, introduction, writing

• Writing Isn’t Safe

  Last week I came across this article from the Wheeler Centre by Jessie Cole which talks about the self revelation of writing fiction. As an author, I’ve had that happen to me. I didn’t pay much attention to it until this afternoon. I’m writing about two characters. They’re not getting along so well. I’m trying unsuccessfully to…

  Andrew Whalan

  November 10, 2014

  Personal

  author, Blog, Fiction, jessie cole, self revelation, wheeler centre, writing

• Shoals and Reefs : Self Publishing with Euan Mitchell

  Literally I clicked the email link and found what I was looking for. A presentation by Euan Mitchell on self- publishing. But it seemed too late in the afternoon to make it. So I clicked again to book a place. Booked it. I arrive at St Michael’s Annexe in Melbourne just after 6 o’clock. Writers funnily enough…

  Andrew Whalan

  November 6, 2014

  Personal

  author, editing, euan mitchell, manuscript, printing, publishing, self publishing, writing