In my therapy sesh this morning, I talked about how writing helps me make sense of my world; how I'm constantly surprised at the wisdom that comes from my (made-up) characters; how I am encouraged and motivated. Here's an extract From Charlie T, between two characters (relates to using Ai in a way)

Hard to battle when bits of you are broken. So many people in the middle of this battle with ACC. I went through it. Family member still trying to connect to support. It's a horrific process www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3610...

Woke up with a fright from a dream where I asked one of the female dps at my previous school was it her, & if so why she told the new principal I was difficult to work with. She replied: you're doing it now. Me: No, I'm having a difficult conversation. Her: see! This is why I'll never go back

REcommend 'Dead Ahead' on Netflix.

If you want to have a say in this year’s NZ election you must be registered to vote at the latest 13 days before the election - enrol here vote.nz/enrolling/en...

800g of pork steak was on special so got it. Searched for pears, cream, pork recipe. Had some apple juice as well. The yummy casserole fed us Thurs, Fri dinner & lunch today. I'm insanely proud of my adulting

Quick update of an old favourite. You see, NZ Govt has more financial assets than it has debts, and those financial assets are liabilities of the private sector. Govt gets a return. Kerching.

@kimtairi.bsky.social can l DM you about your foot surgery? I'm having plates put in my right & bunion fixed. But the left's bunion way worse. Thinking of doing both at same time

I miss my characters. I feel like I do when Vet Girl comes for a visit and leaves her mess everywhere & tells me to shhh or that Coach is fat & I think how nice it will be when I have the house to myself again but the moment I drop her off at the airport, I miss her again. Yup, I'm definitely weird

Hip displacement Fluid in the joints of his back legs. Suspect thyroid issues (bloods and Fluid from joint sent off for testing) Was a GOOD BOY

what is WRONG with me? I keep saying to the hubby 'Can't do [whatever thing] cos I have to 'finish my book' Now I've finished the book AND I MISS WORKING ON THE BOOK. Is this kinda a writer's form of Stockholm syndrom?

Every day for a month, this person has tried to call. My phone blocks it so l just get this message. I did try to call back but there was just a beep then disconnect. Anyone else having this?

#AotearoaNZ PLEASE. Vote OUT the cruel money hungry #ChrisLuxon lead govt in November 26. We can't let our people/ ourselves down anymore. Our people thrive when HELPED, much like Banks & Tech Companies thrive when given handouts by this very Govt. #VOTETHEMOUT26 #nzpol www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

because you need a smile te ata nei

At 6am I've realized l missed something relating to Tu and Rongo. But I worked out the fix. Ask the editor for an hour. Took me 40 mins. Jeez I'm good. And I can neither confirm nor deny that Robbie called Charlie an egg.

The manuscript has gone to the editor. Now what do I do...?

I have spent the last few hours getting the words on my list lower. Currently, 'just' has gone from 209 to 64; 'turned' from 102 to 52; nodded '17' to 7; moved from 35 to 18. As Maurice Gee once said 'I could go one tinkering forever...'

Poor Coach is still so sore. He has an appointment with Animal orthopedic tomorrow They are going to try to find the reason for the symptoms Once again so grateful we can afford Pet Insurance. This morning he sat down 5 mins into his walk & wanted to come home

Seymour & supporters are c*nts: He says we're spending 25 billion to 'pay people to stay at home' & suggests we stop paying those people to stay home but go to work. What he doesn't say is 23 billion pays for superannuation. Hey dick-head Act supporters: don't let the facts get in your way

It occurred to me last night as l walked the dog that l will never be a tīpuna. My kids aren't having kids & I'm ok with that so it will just have to be my books l leave the world

My word list of words to cull

If you are reading a novel (or any book) right now, take a moment to be impressed with the focus and persistence needed to create such a piece of art. I'm on my 8th or 9th go through my manuscript, getting rid of words and making sure every thing earns its place. I hate being a writer.

Writer always get asked to outline their 'writing habits'. Hmmm, don't emulate mine: I stayed in the world of my novel all day yesterday and finally got to writing about 7pm. I finished the reworking of a critical chapter at 1.35am this morning. I'll be napping later

This man is loathsome. Heartless, HE IS THE WORST person to be leading this country. This was a painful painful watch: he deflected & couldn't even say 'no, I don't think it's okay that people have nowhere to go' www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

Something that politicians will say is that the ban will create a cultural change in behaviour among young people. I argue that those who need to change are companies that profit from online harm. #nzpol

Been hanging onto the envelope for my change to the Māori roll trying to organise myself to drop it at a post office - trouble is, boxes are mostly gone and Post Shops are few & far between. Then I got an email saying I could do it all online. Doh! Easy

I hate cooking but made me and himself roasties for dinner: kūmara, potatoe, carrot and, for him and Coach, pumpkin. Oiled and seasoned with a sprinkle of cheese. That is all and I don't care cos I'm a grown up and can eat what I like

Watching we bury the dead when I need to do mahi and it's a zombie movie but not like the others and it's compelling

Every time l go on threads it's just people talking about being asked to move seats on the plane...

he's coping....

Yes, himself is watching the football. I shall be here (hiding in the other room) for when he needs the aftermatch support.

IMO, a poisoned chalice. More interestingly, she is the sixth principal since 2013, with the departure of Voldemort www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin...

In our family, I am the LEAST likely to crack jokes. Everyone else pun-riffs whenever we're together. But, with my novel writing, my characters absolutely NAIL the jokes. So much so that the husband LAUGHS OUT LOUD when I've re-read passages for rhythm. The last joke of my novel is priceless

Banks are ALREADY doing this!! We got a Clean Energy loan from ANZ for 1% interest fixed over 3 years. I don't understand a party offering as an election promise something already is www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

Sorry to bang on about my (first-world) problems like my struggle with the editing of my novel but I just took a breather of moving sentences around, putting in then taking out commas to say that actually some of what I write is not too shabby.

I was editing this section last night and man my writing must be really good cos I had to stop and go make myself cheese of toast

Green MPs and candidates are fielding some OTG responses on FB & IG. on the plus side, many NZers are finally learning how progressive tax rates work 👍 🤦 @tamathapaul @greens.org.nz #nzpol

Puppy tongue

Vet Girl is reading my manuscript. This is a good thing.

bomb threat closed Ara just now Hubby called to say he's been evacuated so he's on his way home

Do you know the saying "do you know who I am" Thats every bloody Coalition politician. Shane Jones should pay that money back. Karen Chhour should pay that money back. Willis wasting money aborting the iREX project Its my fucking hard earn tax money They are all fucking grifters. #nzpol

Today is a 'can't leave the house' kinda day. It's a 'read the book' kinda day. It's a cuddle the dog and avoid the chores kinda day. Take the pain meds. Be kind (to self & others). It will be okay cos there are good peeps in the world doing amazing* things. *said in John Campbell voice

missing Pat B (on BHN) - is he unwell?

just over a year left but I don't think I will ever go back, eh?

Puppy play to make you smile

Just now this message: Now on read through two (this is normal for him when he likes a book!) This is WHY I write (so that kids will read)

It's time for the super-rich and big corporations to pay their fair share. Visit greens.org.nz to learn how "A Tax System for All of Us" can build a fairer country for everyone 💚✊

This afternoon I finished the edits of Charlie Tangaroa and the Battle for Peace. I'm exhausted. This draft yielded 6,000 more words. The page 69 test. This idea is meant for a published book but I've done it for the manuscript. What do you think? Have I pass the page 69 test for you?