Michael Burge's Blog, page 14
January 27, 2016
Keeping Marriage Equality off the record
WHENthe South Australian government was caught out by the world’s media for its lax approach to recognising overseas same-sex marriages on death certificates, the justifiable outrage about Marco Bulmer-Rizzi being documentedas “never married” to husband Davidresonated with manyreaders. One small voice of disagreement came from Marriage Alliance, a grassroots anti-marriage equality movement with a presence … Continue reading Keeping Marriage Equality off the record 
January 20, 2016
Carol out in the cold
WITH nothingmore complex than a series of firmly-closed doors, the film Carol takes a powerful dramatic turn that subtly gives two women the space to explore their attraction. “The wait for enlightenment will be long, and the darkest, pre-dawn hour lies ahead.” When Therese (Rooney Mara) slips into the passenger seat beside Carol (Cate Blanchett) … Continue reading Carol out in the cold 
January 15, 2016
Writer, don’t rest!
“You’re a writer, right? Keep it up.” SO, you’ve completed multipledrafts of your manuscript, you’ve reworked its plot and tweaked its narrative, and it’s been sentto beta readers to seeaboutitsreadability. You’ve done the work. Excellent. Here’s a list of things to be getting on with while your bookis off your desk. Write another book Writers … Continue reading Writer, don’t rest! 
January 8, 2016
Writer, be a ‘beta’ reader!
“Want a house planned? Go to an architect. Want a manuscript appraised? Go to a wordsmith.” ONCE you’ve read your manuscript, ensured the plot is the best you can makeit at this stage, and seen to any glaring inconsistencies in your narrative, it’s time to have your work read by someone else. In the independent … Continue reading Writer, be a ‘beta’ reader! 
December 30, 2015
Writer, resuscitate your manuscript!
“It’s time to get toughon yourself and put your plot through its paces.” I’VE often been approached by writers struggling tokeep a writing project moving, full of angst and desperate for a solution. Incredible as itmight seem, this is invariably the point writers decide to show their work to a publisher, hoping that some clue … Continue reading Writer, resuscitate your manuscript! 
December 20, 2015
Homophobia for the holidays
Spending time with family over Christmas and New Year can be a challenge for anyone, butjournalist and author Michael Burge explains how his first collection of short stories grew in the fertile ground of familial homophobia. WHEN I began writing fiction, I didn’t understand at first that the themeI was reallyexploring was homophobia. “I hope … Continue reading Homophobia for the holidays 
December 16, 2015
Writer, read your own work!
“The only way to achieve objectivity about a piece of work is to leave it alone for a while.” A FEW years ago I asked my social media followers if anyonehad complete or partial manuscripts sitting around, perhaps something potentially ’embarrassing’. This question yielded some interesting answers, and many fantastic-sounding potential books. One of the … Continue reading Writer, read your own work! 
December 9, 2015
Writer, don’t lose the plot!
“The essential foundation of all good storytelling.” THEfirst six sessions of Write, regardless! areabout establishingan online social media platform, something all writers need to be doing for ourselves long before we startthe process of publishing our books. Think of it this way … once you’ve got the regular selling process in place, it leaves you … Continue reading Writer, don’t lose the plot! 
December 2, 2015
Writer, spread the word!
“The bare minimum requirement isthissocial media platform you’re building.” BY now, I hope you’re a regular online publisher, consistently uploading articles in your field of expertise. You have configured your website to automatically send your articles to your web of fabulous social media assets. As a result, you should notice you’re attracting a bit of … Continue reading Writer, spread the word! 
November 26, 2015
Writer, you’re a journalist!
JOURNALISTand writer Michael Burgespent over six years writing full time, including three years contributingonline articles, before embarking on the publication ofa rangeof books across2015-2016, titles he wrote while developing a social media readership. The Write, regardless!series of no-nonsense articles explainshow Michaelwent from a good writer, to an Amazon bestselling author (without getting ripped off along … Continue reading Writer, you’re a journalist! 
