this is queensland

Originally uploaded by gumbootspearlz

So it’s cloudy, the cane is growing again, and the wet season has finally begun.  This is the Queensland I have come to know.

The other part of Queensland is how generous some people are, with their time, and friendship. These last 5 weeks I have had a driving mentor who has given my confidence that one day soon I will indeed be able to drive a car. She has helped make me more confident on the road, and willing to take the risk to master the skills required.

Every time we do something kind for others they are so quick to repay that kindness. They seem like such little things we do for others, and yet it’s really appreciated, but we don’t do these things for any rewards.

This year I have made it into the clothes rounds. Now you really now you are in a town when you make the clothes rounds. Bags of clothes have appeared for all my children, shoes, shirts, you name it. Of course I also give clothes around but more is coming in then going out. I am astounded. It’s like people keep their clothes to find them a good home. Everything is so much better than the state you find it in local second hands stores.

My favourite part of my town has to be the beach and the local library. There are so many carvings, books and librarians who find books you love to show to you when you go in there.

Story time December 15th, hmm that has to be something we’ll put on our calendar. With the kids at school I rarely make storytime anymore, except once this year as a guest reader. Librarians turn into Queens and Princesses, can’t wait to see what they are doing for Christmas.

Everytime the part of Queensland that some people warned me about – the prejudiced side, the country bumpkin side, comes forward there are champions of justice, freedom and the truly human way. I am grateful to have met so many of the kind people of Queensland.

(c) June Perkins

Hooray I did it!  I got to the goal, and I am half way through my first Fantasy novel.    I am so happy!  Four Soul Fooders have so far made the goal and become winners of the challenge.

Time to reflect— I have created a world, invented creatures, a cast of characters, some problems and mastered the art of cliffhanger – I hope.

I have two nanoreaders, one who has kept up with reading and egging me on, and another wanting me to write substantial amounts so she won’t have to wait for plot developments.  Nanoreaders have to patient, they are not reading edited material.  Sometimes they notice slip ups, but to encourage the nanowriter they say everything they enjoy and know it will be edited- they might make a note somewhere to help the writer out.

Nanowriters love their weekly peptalk emails! They are funny, to the point, and full of handy hints that really mean something as they are from people who have been through nanowrimo.

I have missed some of the ways I use my time, but I realise maybe I could do a little less of blogging, and photo uploading and facebook and spend more time creating stories.

Someone said I wrote a mininovel of my nanowrimo experience on facebook, but actually really I just twittered it there.   I counted down the words, reflected on what I was doing, and even found inspiration.  See facebook need not be a time eater.

I feel like I really can call myself a writer, why – because I write everyday, and something bigger than me is in the works.  Ah the responsibility.  I wrote a reunion scene today and was so happy for my characters.  I am wondering what has happened to the days I didn’t write.  They seem so very distant, and I can’t imagine a day without it.  Anything you do for a month can become a habit.

More important than the word goal

- learning to write everyday no matter what
- learning to listen to a character
- looking for threads
- trusting the story will unfold
- soul food solace
- mythology is wonderful
- names can be magical
- invent, invent, invent….

Hmm now I might take that and apply it to my exercise, diet regimen I keep putting off (:   Nanodiet, nanoexercise… 30 days ….. nanokindness….. you get the idea.

Over and out.  I’ll be back to blog, but maybe not as much.  I am still writing my novel and characters  and situations call!

(c) All rights reserved, June Perkins

Nanowrimo generates a lot of positive messaging between people supporting each other through it. I have been doing status statement updates, and realise I’ve been keeping a diary really of the whole experience, must be my education and documenting impulse coming out. I’ve always been one to keep diaries. Some might say ‘June you are taking away from your word count,’ but I think this contact is actually helping my word count. It’s like reading helps too, inspiring me and others to design the next character, the next habitat and weave in mythologies. Walking is also inspiring, because I draw on my environment to help me create things.

I’ve edited out some of the personal messages and replies to me but there have been many encouraging comments and I have two READERS for my emerging novel ( my daughter and best friend Paulien). The great thing about having two readers is that they are urging me on for the next chapter, I stay in front of them by a couple of chapters. Paulien has really made my day by saying she loved it so much she is doing art inspired by it! What a gem! As for my novel, I don’t want to say too much about it. You can have some hints from reading my status statements and I hope one day its coming to a shelf near you! I’m allowed to dream, cause at least I am dreaming and WRITING not procrastinating! If you want to know more about the progress of the novel let me know (:I’m keeping it a little under wraps.

Day 1

Its 7.40 just wrote my first 240 words and now going to have breakfast.
All the best to all of you for the day.

Its rainy here, and I heard doves early in the morning. I am looking out my
window to a cane field growing again and rain droplets on the screen.

June

End of Day 1

Its 7.20 pm doing one more writing session tonight, starting to enjoy the
characters, in the middle of a scene may get to the end of it or leave it mid
scene to dream the rest tonight…, will do a bit more before sleep — on a
dinner break.

All the best to you ! Will check in again in the morning. I have prompts all
over my desk… and a teddy bear with a red scarf with a H on it to give a hug
to now and then….

Day 1 Facebook Statements
240 words in — time to have breakfast….

June Perkins 862 words — almost half way for todays quota–

944 words — now to clean the kitchen the joys of nano with family committments….

June Perkins 1095 words — not quite there for the day –dinner time and some food for thought…

yay 1762 words funny though the characters are dreaming or is the author dreaming for the characters…..

Day 2

hey thanks for those good wishes, i want that bracelet too… but i do have my
teddy bear with h

h for humble, happy, horatio … the writing bear mascot.

yes i ‘ve been constantly distracted too but its still shaping up.About to go
write some more, just had a driving lesson — i am going for my ps in december
long story, another day eh.

Goodluck everyone thinking of you all write, write, even in patches, in
stretches, and yes dont do too much editing let it flow…..

writing power to all [my son made a delicious choccy cake, i think i may have a
piece to start me off today.... ]

june

Check in End of Day 2

wow you are all doing so well, all i can say is press onwards- i am doing mine
in spurts of 800 words, have a break, read something, check the bookcase, look
through wisdom cards, etc. the wisdom cards have awesome pics on them that
inspire me. I’m trying to reach 1700 words everyday if I can, anything more is a
bonus.

—also helps with ergonomics… i had a lovely time today writing and tried
not to censor anything too much but let the story keep developing ergonomically.

tomorrow i think i’ll put some music on that’s always a help too.

June

Day 2 Facebook Statements
June Perkins 3423 words — praying to the muse of novels to keep going…

Beginning Day 3

what day 3 already, snuck in 100 words before i sent the kids to school, then
had to prepare for a class and meeting, snuck in another 50 words.

now i see all these inspiring emails and Heather stand there with staminade…

thanks Lori for setting this up too !!! you all rock….!!!!

will pop in this evening again to see how all is going, gotta write before the
kids get home.

Yes i had back problems yesterday so trying to make sure i do some shoulder
rolls as well..

music… time to put some on!!!

june

End of Day 3
Awesome full moon, fruit bats flying past…. a walk
invention of creatures for my world, research on succulent plants and fun making
up names…

5222 words in total…. i have to laugh my characters seem to go to sleep like
me each day and wake up in my morning….

enjoyed reading some soul food prompts, looking for inspiration everywhere, and
keeping word notes within my word counts to remind me that i can draw from
anything and everything, did some reading about key themes in my story…

onward all… [noticed my lawn was green today after being dry]

how about this Shocked won followed by Crime Scene (horses in the Melbourne
Cup!!!)

Day 3 Facebook Statements

5222 words today and its developing layering and there are some mysteries and antagonists….

sorry total 5222 altogether reached my quota again… funnily my characters keep going to sleep when i do…

no aliens, but who knows what happens, there is invented wildlife and an interesting cast of characters.

yes 3 subplots

June Perkins
500 words…. and now time to think for a bit….

June Perkins
total count 4700 so far…

Day 4

yahee just passed the 6000 words mark, now heading into the longest story I have
ever written territory…

Just sharing the opening from a few days ago — i hope you are all having the
best day, it’s only 10 am here and I have all day free to write!!! I am enjoying
reading your updates.

The opening…

‘It was the first white coffin of the drought. The mother, of the young man
within, beat it frantically with the palm frond leaves. She wailed in a long
high pitched peal.
How can anyone know what it feels like to lose a child until they have been
through it – Indera Bayu pondered. She had lost her daughter many years ago now
but still it felt as recent as the breath she had made the second before.
Yet, losing the rainy season for three seasons running had been like the town
losing its own child. The town was so used to rain falling for those four
months of the year and replenishing the supplies that they had not made
provision for a dry spell. Now the paddocks outside their home were one great
big dustbowl.’ (c) June Perkins 2009

june

Day 4, Facebook Statements

a whole day to write, putting the hotpot on for dinner for everyone tonight and then straight into it – saw fruit bats and an awesome moon with cloud glove holding it last night… no no camera in sight…

6098 total…. and its only 9.47 am i think the story is beginning to have a life of its own….

6098 total…. and its only 9.47 am i think the story is beginning to have a life of its own….

characters stranded up a tree with a heartcodile after them better go have lunch and work out how they get out of this one!!
Day 5 Earlier in Day

I am 7,300 words now but had to stop 1.2 way through
yesterday with a headache– i went for a long walk last night and had a bit of a
rest, its like pacing yourself in a race isnt it.

Anyway back to it later today off for a driving lesson this morning.
I am enjoying the way the characters develop organically, a tip in nano wrimo
was not to change anything once its down but to highlight it if you want to
trash it later to keep up your word count.

I have been going back and filling characters in a bit more and making it
consistent, by reading from the start each day – that’s been a big help and adds
words as well, but at the same time it keeps moving forwards.

Opting for fruit and water ahead of coffee (which i gave up 4 months ago) and
cake (which is not so good on the weight).The fridge is full of watermelon which
is delicious.

GOODLUCK everyone heading into the weekend soon –

June

hot pot simmering up to 7070 words in total sun is out!

Day 5

Well just got a tiny bit excited as I just passed 9000 words and the day is not over yet….

Hope you are all doing well — i love google!!! You just think yeah need to know more about… and if its not on the bookcase you can probably google it.

also finding soul food prompts and everything else on my desk a help.

It is good having a few sets of characters as I can switch from group to group when running out of steam on another….

June

Day 6

I have found that writing is much more physical than I realised, tendonitis in
arms and yes like some others a sore back… so I am taking myself off for a
walk, and yes trying to eat healthy

- had a cracker headache last night, pillow was wrong on bed… thought oh no i
wont be able to write, but managed to kick it.

watermelon, fluids, etc. I am very blessed at the moment, to be doing all my
work from home as writing and so I don’t have to rush off and do too much else,
but I have waited a long time for this so its a real joy–.

My dear husband is trying to work on it too, with work and all, and is doing his
best.

i dont think it matters how much you write — i just try and get to 1700 per day
and see anything else as a bonus.

Please all have a good day, and I am sending you lots of positive thoughts,
including dear ……… You will write what you need to in the month and have
something substantial to develop.

Day 6

Pressure is an interesting thing, for some it causes vacillation and for others
more activity and striving, however you use pressure ensure it becomes a
positive for you and not a negative.

I love reading all your word counts, because I think of you finding time to
create what you want to, and however close or far from the goal, it will be
closer than with no pressure from the project at all.

For too long I have been living without pressure of deadlines, since finishing a
doctorate, but I am finding its actually fun to have just a little bit of
pressure.

Anyway when it all becomes too much I am heading for a nice cool lemon and lime
water,a slab of watermelon and a walk out to see the kookaburras.

Good luck to you all.

June

A letter to Soul Fooders. Day 6

Well a lot of us are finding just how important the staminade is
when we are doing writing stints with a word count focus…
everyone is doing so well, with most achieving between 5000-20,000 words per
soul foodie.

There are sore backs, headaches, stop starts, interruptions,late night writing
sessions, early morning sessions, but the task goes on — sounds like we are on
bit of a quest.

Some of us are finding characters have a mind of their own, and just appear, and
direct their own fate…others are writing several openings and may have several
books opening up & yes google is a treasure, soul food prompts are a treasure
and all your positive energy is as well.

Keep thinking of us… we are all doing our best- someone will be in no doubt to
give you another update for us.

June

Day 7 Facebook Statements
another day begins how are all the nanowrimos…

time to draw a map to navigate an invented world…

Excitement just passed 10,000 now on 10, 500 words in total….

computer headache going for a break so i can write again..
13670 words …. more interesting plot developments – who can you trust, a dragon is made a promise, and why oh why three puppets and a succulent plant….

Day 7

One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without
courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind,
true, merciful, generous, or honest.
- Maya Angelou

My parents told me that I could do and be anything I really wanted. I believed
them.
- Molly McDonald

The hero is no braver than the ordinary [wo]man, but [s]he is brave five minutes
longer
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

what a great first week. I am so proud of us all.

My characters are all developing
intricate past histories with each other, building to present day tensions, and
I have to do a map to work out where they are going as I need to know where
everything is in this invented world… inventing some animals and i am sure
some plants soon…

Day 8 Facebook Status Statement

last night it rained and I was dreaming about the next part of my story…a frog puppet dancing and singing (no not kermit!) a grieving father and people hiding in the desert..and more cultures for the world i’m putting together in the novel…

Currently on 15,600 words
(c) June Perkins, all rights reserved….

Thanks to all those who have been supportive, Gemma, Kerry, Jane, Despina, Paulien, Sheridan, David, Carmel, Lori, Jane, Jo, Sally, Cle, Vi, Heather, and heaps of the other Soul Foodies. … You make me laugh, keep going and inspire me !! All of you who are novelling this month I wish you all the best, and KEEP IT UP!!!

Dear Readers,

I’ve gone nanowrimo for the month, there will be no blogging until December.

All the best to you fello nanowrimos out there, onward to 50,ooo words.

I am glad to be in the company of the Soul Fooders whilst doing this.

June

(For reference and orientation to this character and her friends visit Unity Bell’s Cabin)

Unity and her friends stood at the entrance to the next cave. It was an ancient tree with a heart opening. They had a positive feeling about this cave.

Kiona went ahead and they could hear her exclaiming ‘ Oh I cannot believe the garden in here.’ They followed, and Armful of Tiger Lillies was singing the most uplifting tune inside Unity’s head.

‘In the garden of Thy heart plant naught but the rose of love’

Shruti was speechless, and seemed far less anxious than she had before. She was busily identifying all of the plants

‘hibiscus, ginger, roses….’

It did not make sense that so many kinds of flowers could exist so harmoniously in one space, but they did.

Then there were the birds. A bird no bigger than a butterfly flew over Unity’s shoulder. It had a black coloured head, and yellow jacketed body. It was delightful. She put her hand out and it flew over her.

Just as they were settling in they felt the sprinkling of rain – a rain which began to pelt down so they went to seek shelter in the garden.

‘Oh what I would give to always live in a garden like this,’ Unity said aloud.

Shruti sighed, ‘Yes it is just so beautiful the way it rambles, we can stay here awhile can’t we,’

The donkey’s were all delighted, even with the heavy rain. It was like being in a delightful dream.

It was then that they first came across Nature girl.

(to be continued)

For more of this adventure visit Unity’s Garden

A shelter cannot withstand everything. Sometimes large waves come and they wash everything, or almost everything away.

Every time a large wave comes the people can only run as fast as they can to the mountains. If they are not fast enough, or do not hear the warnings quickly enough they are often lost. They may cling on for dear life, to anything they can grab.

They end up in the hungry mouth of the wave, which devours them like some ravenous dragon.

September 2009 the waves were precipitated by quakes, and they hit American Samoa, Samoa. Whole villages and families wiped out. In Indonesia there were quakes, and thousands of people were killed and missing. In both places people were displaced, homeless, weeping by the wreckage.

‘In Samoa there are no degrees of separation,’ said one reporter, everyone is connected to someone that went away.

I have never been in one of these waves. Although I have tried to live in the lands they come to and wanted to move to Fiji or to Hawaii and made attempts to do so. My heart is out there in the tropical islands. I’ve been as far as Kiribati- where for two weeks I had just a small taste of culture and challenges. My daughter loves learning Indonesian. She likes the culture and would like to travel there, as well as Japan one day.

People live along fault lines. They make their homes wherever they are born, and wherever history has led them to settle. They do not check the science and move to where it might be physically safest. Beside what is safe. Sometimes the places along the fault lines are the friendliest, kindest places you could live. You don’t choose where you are born, although you may travel far from the place you were born. You may end up traveling to the place where the fault lines are.

A nun has said she does not see these recent natural disasters as acts of God. You know nature just happens as it will. You make the best of it and do what you need to in such emergencies. A sensible woman of faith she made sure all in her care were as safe as possible.

Yet, there are acts of disaster made by humans. There are bigger waves toppling thousands upon thousands of people. Waves of materialism, civil war, despair, not caring about others and doing great injustice to others- these are just as scary, if not more scary than these disasters are. Sometimes the disasters bring these waves with them- looting, stealing and fraud.

Where is refuge? Refugees move in waves, into tent villages- they rebuild, or they move out. My heart is with the refugees as I see their children crying on the television.

How can I help? Perhaps I can give some spare money, even sacrifice a few things to give something to help those out. Yet, I have more than one wave to deal with. I must deal with those other waves, the ones I need to protect those I love from.

I want my children to care when things happen to others, whether it’s the neighbour, someone at school or someone overseas. I want them to see all of those near or far as part of their family. I want to create a family that is a refuge.

Our refuge is for those we love, and when it’s the whole world it’s for all those in it. Sometimes it is not always easy to welcome people in, they may take advantage and end up being so selfish, we must send them back out into the world, as the mother superior says to Maria in Sound of Music, ‘we are not a place to run away from your problems you must face them.’ So when we build a refuge it’s not a place to hide, but a place to build strength, and to grow.

Refuges provide shelter. The shelter may be a simple cave, a tent, a house, a caravan, or under the open stars in a swag. Yet as I have said a refuge is more than that. A refuge is a place to heal, to pray, to build up strength, to laugh and cry. It is a place we can pop in and out of. Perhaps the only long lasting refuges lie in faith, ethics and caring for others. We then build refuges that a wave can only temporarily knock down.

So today I think on refuges and refugees and how we need to shelter each other. It is not a time to reflect on what we have lost, but what we can give.

© June Perkins, 2009

I asked my youngest son to plant a dream seed. He said “I want to play cricket in South Africa!” I did not tell him it was an impossible dream instead I said “So what do you need for that- can you draw it for me.”

He drew me a cricket bat. Then we yarned some more and he said “I can learn to speak South African.”

Then I spoke about Stephen Waugh “Who’s that Mum?”

“He was the Australian Captain and he met Mother Therese and said she changed his life.. because then his philanthropic work became more serious.”

“What will you do when you play South Africa.” Mummy planted a dream seed next to his dream seed.

I asked my daughter to plant a dream seed. She said “I want to meet a dragon.” I said “A dragon lizard”. She said “No a DRAGON,” so I said knowing she is also interested in making robotic limbs “Well maybe you could make a robot dragon or an animated one,”

“Oh yes., a big robot dragon that looks really real! with muscles and a skeleton..”

“And what will you need for that my little one.”

“art and computers and science ..”

Together we could just see that Giant Robot in an awesome movie!

(C) June Perkins, all rights reserved.

You can read all of these poems on this site, look at the pages down the side and choose the one you wish to read.

All copyright of the works belongs to the authors, copyright of the collection/concept to Licuala Writers group. Click on the author/title under the poem to read the whole poem or extract of story.

Short Stories coming soon.

Extracts from Into Orbit

It was one of those lucid
You know where you were
One small step for Man moments
When smells sounds touch and taste
Are forever imprinted
One giant leap for Mankind
© Alan Webb, Summer of 69.

The night’s delight
It is so bright
It gave me a fright.
© Sandon, Moon

New life is born, a natural force
explodes the sky in slivers of light.
A star treads gingerly upon its course
laid down through centuries, across the night
© Tara Webster, Life into Orbit

Hellos circle stars and moon
Humanity searches for a cocoon
Whilst the child soldier hides in the wheat.
The tide is moving to the global heart beat.
© June Perkins, Hellos in Space.

From a distance it begins,
A blinding light bursting forth and,
Stars, a river of stars flowing through,
Darkness and passing over the hand.
© Niloofar Davidson, Evanescent Soul.

My eyes are like orbits
The bone around my eye is called the orbit.
© Shinji, Into Orbit


MONDAY
Ellie: “Tomorrow for the table test, I want to be the very best.”
Mum: ‘I’m busy with a painting of a woman gently fainting.
Ask Daddy Egbert – he’s the family expert.’
Ellie: “Help, Daddy Corbett – Mum’s away in orbit!”
© Pam Galeano, Homework at the Corbetts’ This one will be up soon.

What if you saw the Southern Cross running around the sun like a cherry bun?
What if the stars were playing soccer with the earth like people?
© Sandon, What If/Constellation.

There is no territory you can’t
dream even the ocean deep
or the sky high
flying in the dream sky
© June Perkins, Written Territory/Unwritten Territory

Flowing water on endless journey
Babbling, bubbling over mossy rocks
Forest sounds, loud, reverberating all
Vibrant life, mesmerising, addictive
Till night reigns once again.
© Dave Delaney, Cycle.

A star winks out for now, and then
we begin to descend,
the creamy white orb is still shining through
a pale pink sky
© Niloofar Davidson, Flying out Moon Down.

She was flying alone, yet not alone. Surrounded by power she could not begin to fathom. Racing along invisible paths to places never seen.
© Danielle Stephens, Awakening

Would you really melt away?
Would you really start to sway?

If you close your eyes
Will they open again?
© Sheridan, Orbiting the Sun

They gather to watch the sun spirits hide
They count down to 6 minutes and 31 seconds of darkness
The solar eclipse attracts the human tide.
© June Perkins, Eclipse.

For an amber sun I made a circle
And refrained from spending money
By rendering the solar orb
With a dab of blue gum honey.
© David Perkins, Food for Thought

All packed–ready to go.
Why, we could move to another galaxy
and not even crack a flowerpot.
© Patricia Shafer, Moving On.

Why do we circle round and round;
ever moving,
ever chasing,
ever distanced,
through a million passing moments…

© Linzie Moore, Why?.

Do we help those who in orbit fall
Do we really care for all
Do we help them rise and grow
Or is it just ourselves we only know?

© Jean Vallianos, Are We in Orbit?.

The stars glittered overhead, tiny pinpricks looking as if some ancient hand had sewn them into the blanket millennia ago. As she sat gazing into this rich tapestry, she dreamed of and wished for a time not so long ago when the world was at peace.

© Despina Parakas, Extract from the Night Before Christmas

a thing of beauty
dependant on the earth, the sun, the sky
but the sun set and forgot to rise
the ginger waited with its drooping head
rejected
© Lydia Valeriano, Ornamental Ginger

in the drift of a spiralling arm
of a milky galaxy
that’s just a tiny drip
of an oceanic universe.

© Sally Moroney, Sometimes.