Caroline Dudley

Including the magenta hair dye I've used for years! What will I become?

Everything I like is getting discontinued. I don't know what that's a sign of.

No one cares. Therefore it's safe to write.

Intersection of Insanity
[Dan McNeil, 2023]

A lot of writers seem concerned with output, word count, productivity, etc. I don't reckon that's helpful to creative processes at all.

I write in slow motion. I study each word under a magnifying glass. Why race? Who are you racing against? Yourself? Slow down. Breath. Tune in to the beam. Flow.

On theme

A necessary article. Publishing has changed out of all recognition in the 25+ years since my debut novel. A big problem is the public's perception, and far too much creative writing biz advice, believes the defunct business model where making a modest living was possible, still applies. It doesn't.

Just started listening to the audiobook of Iconic by Zandra Rhodes. I worked for her over summer when I was at college, and she inspired me no end. A rare pocket of euthymia and promise long ago.

These new editions are gorgeous. There are 4 in the series now, so I really hope I like it so I can collect them all 😄

I've only read From Blue to Black by Lane so far, and apparently that's something of an outlier in his work.

I haven't. I've seen the movie, but I'm told the book is quite different?

What should I read next - The Witnesses are Gone by Joel Lane or Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer?

Just found out the cat that sleeps in our plant pot used to sleep in a bin before she was rescued

The Shards was full of music references from 1980/1, and one in particular has clung to me - Icehouse by Flowers. It's now the soundtrack to this weird phase I'm passing through. Mental exhaustion and the promise of renewal.

You're right. I've got loads of 'posh' notebooks I can't touch, but these I can fill no problem.

Sometimes I'll be listening to an audiobook and suddenly realise my mind wandered about half an hour ago and never came back and I've no idea what's going on anymore.

Purple prose was good while it lasted. A wardrobe now blocks the window. Cut palm. Collection of hats. Slippery sill.

Got sucked deep into Reddit reading theories about The Shards. Who was the Trawler? Did Robert exist? What was 'true' and what was writer's embellishment?

Very good book, and a long one (for me). I'm in that weird 'post read' grief/glow space.

People will believe a quick Google search over my knowledge from a qualification that took years of specialist study.

Empty promises and grudges.

Frankly disappointing that the future tech we are promised is “Microsoft Teams in your car” and “things you write or create will be stolen without credit”

Apparently using em dashes in your writing flags you as AI now??

travelling by standing still
the wonderful puzzle of your windows

My books and anthologies will be officially out of print very soon. I'm sad, but it has to be done.

The last couple of weeks have been pretty crap. Might as well use the opportunity to rip off the plaster.

'I tried to summon the spirit of the tangible participant.'

Psyduck parade.

(This is not all my psyducks)

"The mission is vague."

Changing structures. Matter and form. Scraped heart becomes tall building swaying in the wind. The fall is worse than the verse.