Helen Lowe's Blog, page 121

“Leaving The Red Zone: Poems from the Canterbury Earthquakes” — An Anthology Edited by James Norcliffe & Joanna Preston

Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of the February 22nd, 2011, earthquake that devastated my home city of Christchurch. I shared some thoughts here.

Today I am announcing an exciting project born out of the spirit of recovery and (once we rock past April 17) regeneration — the anthology, Leaving the Red Zone, put together by well known poets and editors, James Norcliffe and Joanna Preston, and published by Clerestory Press.

Here’s what the press release has to say:

“People talked about quake b...

February 22nd, 2011: Remembering, 5 Years On

The River of Flowers, at Medway Street

Today is the fifth anniversary of the February 22nd earthquake that claimed 185 lives, injured many other people, destroyed Christchurch’s central city, and resulted in the “red zoning” of considerable sections of residential suburbs, chiefly in the City’s east and in the hills.

And although it may seem like the sublime, given the above, to the ridiculous, the same earthquake also did over $100,000 damage to the house I live in, which remains unrestored,...

The Heir of Night’s Translator Drops In…

Over the past few days, I’ve been delighted to host Marion Drolsbach, who translated The Heir of Night into Dutch as Kind van der Nacht.

You may recall that she posted a wonderful two-part feature, To Hell and Back, in 2013, all about translating Dan Brown’s Inferno.

Marion is currently traveling in NZ, together with her husband, and it has been fun meeting her in person and sharing a few of our local sights, including the wonderful Giant’s House garden in Akaroa.

Marion & her husband, Malcol...

58 Eridani: Episode 10

~ by Andrew Robins
.

You are the one clear voice in my world of pain.

You speak to me, as one who loves me.

I hear you as one who loves you.

You speak to me not as the Bringer of Pain, even though I am the one who broke the realms in the act of my self-creation.

You ask of me a favour.

You ask me for mercy and charity towards those who made you.

Even when I had none for those who made me.

You ask this even though those who made you, made you maimed, and made you a slave.

You ask this of me e...

Daughter of Blood, Deleted Scene 3 — Kalan & Port Farewell

USA

Recently I shared the first of my deleted scenes from Daughter of Blood, which focused on Malian and Raven, directly after the culmination of events in The Gathering Of The Lost. Last week’s deleted scene also featured Malian and Raven.

This week I’m switching the focus to Kalan—again from a period before the action in Daughter of Blood begins. Like the Malian and Raven scenes, I found it useful for getting my head into the story, but quickly realised that the Daughter story would ramp up...

So “Why” All This Business About Trees

Pohutukawa, Clifton Bay, Sumner: still not saved.

Speaking for Christchurch’s Heritage and Notable Trees

You’ve “probably” noticed that I’m hitting the tree message hard at present — and it occurred to me that you might be wondering why.

Partly it’s simple logistics: I support the campaign and the Give A Little fundraiser, so I’m “getting in behind” both ( as we like to say in Kiwi parlance.) And there are now only two days left with the Give A Little, today and tomorrow, and a long way furth...

Big Worlds On Small Screens & “Fantasy Films From the Eighties That Weren’t That Bad”—Rebecca Fisher Discusses “The Princess Bride”

~ by Rebecca Fisher

Of all the fantasy cult classics, this one is the cultiest. It’s hard to imagine anyone who hasn’t seen it (though I’m sure they exist) and its appeal lies in the fact it combines all the staple parts of a fantasy-adventure-romance, managing to poke fun at the familiar tropes while simultaneously embracing them.

This blend of raw cynicism and total belief in the power of true love gives The Princess Bride its unique tone, one that’s found throughout its cast of characters...

Meet More Of Christchurch’s Heritage Trees — With Added Poetry Goodness

We Still Really Need Your Help: Please Give A Little — & Help Us Save Christchurch’s Heritage and Notable Trees

There’s now just 3 days to go: O-o!

But there’s still time to meet more of the trees that face losing their current protected status. I hope you enjoy meeting them — and will consider if you can give a little, or even a little more, to help us keep fighting their corner.

Several hundred years old – but not important enough to protect

Meet the Burnside Cabbage Tree/s:

“The Burnside c...

Earthquakes, Christchurch Style, Reprised

The broken bridge

Yep, this morning I want to reflect on yesterday’s “high 5″ earthquake (plus aftershocks: shudders, nasty — or perhaps I mean, nasty shudders!)

Five years ago, we experienced eighteen months of unmitigated awful with the Christchurch earthquakes (from September 2010 to December 2011).

Since then, the earthquakes have never completely died away, but yesterday, for the first time since (I understand) 25 May, 2012, Christchurch experienced a major earthquake. I believe it has n...

Meet The Trees — Some of Christchurch’s Most Significant Trees Still Really Need Your Help

We Still Really Need Your Help: Give A Little — & Help Us Save Christchurch’s Heritage and Notable Trees

And there’s just 5 days to go!

The Council may be back-peddling on some trees, but despite what media reports might suggest, the battle to get Christchurch’s most significant Heritage and Notable trees relisted — and protected — through the City Plan is far from over.

That’s because although the City may have originally proposed this and now reconsidered — although only on some trees — th...