Tamara Kidd

Yeah, that's my preference. I used it initially as a way of allowing people who supported my work on FB to move to another social platform, and to build a mailing list. Less liability though Substack. But it's essentially just like the old blogging networks. Personal website + SM.

Tamara Kidd (@tamarakidd) Nothing new to report. I’m still writing wherever I am. Still meeting online, and occasionally in person, with people in my writing community. This week will be our 212th consecutive Wednesday night t...

The first of two updates. Now, what to write about in a longer post? Hmm. Ideas, anyone? substack.com/@tamarakidd/...

A friend asked me today if people still Blog. I replied, "yes, on Substack". Professionalised, and can be monetised, blogging.

Well, it's probably time to start 'reporting from the field' again. I had a pause on Substack posts, and thinking it's time to get back to posting, though. What's the 'pulse' on Substack? How are we thinking/feeling about it?

Water bottle in the centre of picture, laptop on the left, glasses on the right, notebook in foreground. Working on 20 interconnected books about the home education experience, in Australia.

Monitor on left with multiple people in chat group, text of books on screen, computer on right with video about thin plywood, keyboard in foreground, rabbit that represents a Harengon D&D character named Edok under a desk lamp in the centre back.

I've been using Discord voice/video chat features to body double with those in my local writing group. Some days I'm alone, sometimes joined by 1 or 2. Up to 7 of us at any one time. ALL of us have pushed our projects forward. Company. Central activity. Deep appreciation.

How did I miss the news? Obviously I've been busy writing lol. So. I'm looking at either Ghost, or switching out my website from my consulting business (2007-2024) to an Author/Illustrator website, and posting directly there.

Thoughts?

Disappointed Cat GIF ALT: Disappointed Cat GIF

Damn it! Yet another platform taken a far right turn? #Substack

Transition from Home Education Mentor/Consultant to Writer/Illustrator is complete, and I'm now writing/illustrating daily.

Draft 1 of Middle Grade 1 is complete. Ready to work on Young Adult 4. I'm so glad these 20 books are timey wimey and complex, because #NotBored

Tamara Kidd (@tamarakidd) View from my writing desk, and a rainbow. I love all types of weather, but the kind that keeps you inside at the desk feels the most supportive. I had an errand a block away, and us locals talked abou...

I'm working on a post for my paid subscribers, while posting daily notes. Another post about the Writing Retreat is also in the drafts.

substack.com/@tamarakidd/...

here you go

3 Months of avoiding social media and getting on with writing/illustrating books... kinda off the rails with my plan to stay off FB, as my writing group uses it to plan a writing retreat. Want me to "spam" photos of the retreat? aka sprinkle...

Montessori inspired Home Education Part 1 & 2 Interview with Fearless Homeschool

Thank you to Micarlé from Fearless Homeschool for the wonderful interview. Part 1 and 2 are linked on my Substack, and the other podcast episodes in this series are on Youtube open.substack.com/pub/tamaraki...

Home Ed rarely happens at home. It is learning about the world through active participation in the world. It doesn't look like following a curriculum designed for a school setting, based on classroom learning while isolated from the world. Can you register easily? open.substack.com/pub/tamaraki...

This last time I decided not freak out and boom… writing breakthroughs. I’ve previously had pneumonia twice so it’s natural to worry.

But worry doesn’t help, with writing or convalescing. Is this what it feels like to recalibrate?

3 separate times, first in Lyon, France, then Auckland, NZ and then in Sydney, Australia I’ve stumbled into an impromptu writing retreat, then I’ve been taken over by respiratory infections. My lungs crack and pop. Each time I was loved, and forced to take better care of myself.

I mean, the lesson is so simple really.

"I'm a writer" is always a great excuse "why are you researching Aztec culture" I'm a writer "why are you searching poisonous flowers" I'm a writer "why is there a dead body in your attic" I'm a writer

Retired Lion’s Hearing Dog, Tibetan Spaniel being exceptionally cute. Yes, we’re related. #cousins

Square tiles, resin and pebbles, rubber ring around a tree. Trans port itioning train tram tiles. Natural Movement is our nature. Why be so scared? Holding lives hostage in fabrications of Design that restrict, for what purpose? To give the illusion of control? We all die. Until then, we own our own lives. Quit trying to control others. It’s creepy. It’s unnatural. #ResposeAfter7MinutesOnMeta

B - easier to understand what my hands are holding.

"oven"? Actually, it was pretty hot... should read 'ocean'. Editing posts and alt text doesn't seem to be an option here?

View of beach and oven from an elevated location. Water on left, cliff on right.

Red rose in full bloom

The blue sky above a crematorium, clouds in streaks and clusters.

Monday:
An 8 year old’s +1 at a funeral.
Pausing to sniff a rose and contemplate how kindness towards yourself and others contributes to be a wonderful default setting for life.
A recalibrating solo swim in ocean baths moves from a yearly minimum to a more regular event.

yikes

Tamara Kidd’s Substack | Substack My personal 'time to level up Tam' Substack where I share how my books are proceeding, share articles I write, videos I make and even a Podcast of my home ed friends chatting with myself, or each othe...

tamarakidd.substack.com

Same name

I lasted until today. Long enough to give notice, but not so long that I’m toasting marshmallows on the dumpster fire. Sad times for those who used support groups, run by volunteers, to access community, resources and advice.

Green grass, blue sky with clouds. Photo taken as I was leaving Hobbiton but looks like the background from Windows. Surreal.

Country New Zealand to show clouds matching previous photo.

Mill at Hobbiton.

Surreal moment as I left Hobbiton on Friday 13th... couldn't believe I'd drive through the Windows background.

Back home for a wee while. Long enough for cicadas, crows and kookaburras to fill up my ears.

Clothes washed. Bags repacked, bags are lighter this time. Last trip until this time next year.
See you soon, Tāmaki-makau-rau.
See you much later, Loughborough.

For now, sunsets and writing.

Canberra… unexpectedly creative. Significant headway on the writing. Looking forward to waking up to write more! A rare vibe, hope it sticks around 😉

Breathe art in, hold, feel, transmute a voice and then let it out. #WritingDay

With a fully remote team of just 20 employees, Bluesky has surpassed 20 million users in its first year since opening to the public and is stealing thunder from rivals hundreds of times its size.

At a time when conventional wisdom among bosses is that workers must be in-person to be productive.

Just wow!