Look at us @rachaelking70.bsky.social Just two Ōtautahi based children's writers being like the little boy in The Emperor's New Clothes: pointing out the errors when others can't or won't see; using our passion for (with) words to change (save?) the world

Any other writer here feel guilty about reading when there is a book you have to write? @clairemabey.bsky.social @rachaelking70.bsky.social I know you too are AMAZING at your reading loads but I feel like I'm cheating on Charlie and Robbie if I go and spend time with someone else's characters.

I watched two seasons of The Dry yesterday and I am still glad I'm no longer drinking (a day at a time). Also watched Stranger Things and we have been unpacking it all day - such great writing; great acting. Love it

Puzzle time ##SecretSantaAoNZ

It was a flattering nod for Tania Roxborogh to be included in the list of 10 books that would be a “gift to last a lifetime” ‒ except the book credited to her seemingly doesn’t exist and award-winning author certainly never wrote it.

Buy REAL books by REAL authors and illustrators. Here's a couple of mine huia.co.nz/search?q=rox...

Does anyone on here have a current contact for Aoife Finn the gorgeous Irish woman who was learning te reo Māori and doing her PhD on the subject? I am going to add a trip to Ireland to my trip to France and would love to connect

#4 sounds like a lovely book but I didn't write it. Have had whānau up and down the country send me clippings lol Whoever put together this list that has been circulated to regional papers, didn't fact check.

I did a Christmas thing

Interesting that I shared this post by a black editor to my author's page and it 'disappeared'. Tried to post a similar post just now, and no post came up. Posted a picture of my dog. Went up immediately. WTF? www.instagram.com/reel/DSaRQbZ...

My pocket pals: thank you for your interest in & support of me (& Coach, Vet Girl, the pōtiki, himself) & my crazy obsessions (Shakespeare, crime shows, politics, books) & the things I'm doing to try to make the world a better place: writing, researching, championing te ao Māori to you & yours

However, in contrast, a brilliant brilliant show is The Revenge Club

If you are a completist like me (books, films, tasks) DO NOT start watching 'The War Between the Land and the Sea' because that will be precious time you won't get back. It is very very bad (even if, like me, you're a Dr Who fan. The writing is terrible. The dialogue cringe. A great idea, ruined.

confession: I have NOT put up the Christmas tree or decorations. My hands hurt and I am a bit of grinch. But I do have a few decorations gifted that I'm arranging around the one and only house plant.

Oh yay - all the results for my bloods came back perfect except for iron/ Ferritin: 48 µg/L (reference 20–350). I'm heading down low again and just had my B12 shot. As I'm prone to needing infusions, I will have to up my ferritin intake

Christmas shopping...

Today seems like a good day to share this. Spurred by articles on RNZ and the Listener about international books eclipsing local kids’ books. No dinky Xmas music sorry! I have a book to finish… www.facebook.com/share/v/17u2...

just did the covid test - negative. I am going to rest and drink fluids and complain to my husband and take drugs (the legal ones) to ease symptoms

yesterday, it was utter exhaustion (& a 5 hour 'nap') then headaches, body aches then bad sleep Today, it's hot cold hot cold shiver burn freeze cold tired sneeze, scratchy throat, bad temper, VERY bad temper leading to tears, tired, headaches, glumpness, still achey Methinks I'm getting sick

The number 1 movie when I was 10 is how my 2026 is going to go? Well, I guess I'm gonna need a bigger boat www.imdb.com/title/tt0073...

nothing like 2 full days (& into the third) of dog poop & accidents & loads of washing & multiple showers (me & him) & spraying stain remover & whining dog & short sighted (literally) hubby & the need to be hypervigilant over possibility of any sudden movement (see above) to make me bah humbug

sobbing sobbing R.I.P. Eddie. The two scene with Dustin - ooff. And then the reunion of Hopper and Eleven. I'm ready now for Season 5 #strangerthings

I think I love Eddie the most right now

I am rewatching Stranger Things season 4 and I know I did watch it when it came out but life was so hard I don't remember much so it's good to watch it now - such great wrting

Why haven't the media done a story on #SecretSantaAoNZ? It's massive and wonderful and we need to hear about it

I will look forward to this. Congratulations @johnjcampbell.bsky.social www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Looking after this poor boy since 6am Vomiting stopped but not the squirts. Drugs on board but he's still pretty miserable. Even off his food!! Poor Coach.

Planned to get up at 6 (I did but because of Coach) Planned to do a load of washing (I did but not the garments I was expecting to wash) Planned to work on my novel cos I left Charlie in imminent danger 2 days ago (water spout) but so far it's been: the vet (meds for Coach) chemist (meds for hubby)

Woke to Coach's unhappy bark. Rush out of bed to him to let him out of his crate& outside where he was very sick both ends. 🤢 💩 He's recovering outside but I'm back in bed scrolling the #SecretSantaAoNZ Not how I planned to start my day but the thoughtful gifts are a joy. Well done team

36 years ago

I'm going to France in April. But, have decided to be brave and extend my trip. Guess what's playing at THe Globe? The Tempest as well as an adaption of Romeo and Juliet.

Happy 36th wedding anniversary to us

My #SecretSantaAoNZ chose perfectly. I met with travel agent yesterday to discuss trip to Paris. I'm thinking also of popping over to London to see some Shakespeare. I did a little cheer @ each unwrapping Lovely message I'm guessing you're at least 10 years older than me. Thank you so much

Rob Reiner: “Silence in the face of authoritarianism is complicity. Speaking out is a patriotic act. Democracy doesn’t defend itself. It requires participation, vigilance, and courage from ordinary people."

beautiful story. Read this thread. Mandy P also is one of all time favourite people. I loved watching them during the Covid Lockdowns - he and his wife are a special breed of humans

A husband and wife interchange this morning. A rare, 'the wife was wrong' moment. A story in three texts

Hubby not great with life admin; has worked hard this year:did HEAPS of hours on creating a new degree (even tho not in his job description). He mistakenly took annual leave each time he was sick. Now he's in deficit. HAS to take 2 weeks off over the break but will get 8 days docked. WTAF?

I have never found out who my #SecretSantaAoNZ is and that makes me a bit sad but also pleased because it could be ANYONE. Right now, my midwinter #SecretSantaAoNZ gift is beside me holding my drink and note book. Thank you to all who take the time to learn more about a stranger, then provide a gift

Lying in my compression suit look up to see a huge as fuk spider heading my way. Screamed. Am trapped in said suit. Managed to overcome 🕷 with a teatowel & hubby took it outside. Self care is dangerous My current situation Why do 🕷 always come for me. Must have got inside on Coach

May you dive into your weekend like Coach

For the record, Te Pāti Māori has lost my vote. I won't consider them again until the appalling behaviour stops. It will be Greens or Labour for me

My mother rang yesterday, telling me to buy her her special perfume for Christmas. I wasn't planning on buying gifts. I felt resentful that I was guilted to spending two week's worth of groceries for her. Something that should have been a joy was tainted by the way my family operates.

Hate Christmas time. Many of us who had shite childhoods do. I tried hard to make it a nice time for the kids, I masked my real feelings but my dysfunctional family was always involved & it was NOT a happy time - ever. So, I dread this time because of the expectations. Thank God 4 #SecretSantaAoNZ

Had coffee with a teacher friend who told me about all the shit things that went down for them this year & this is typical - of that school; of many schools. Where the wellbeing of staff is rarely genuine. The games played; the mean-ness. I had 2 great principals in my 35 year career of 9 schools

This message is for all the teachers: I hope you get a chance to rest. It is only once you are out of the arena that you can see how dangerous and difficult it is: all the things that make up a gladiatorial fight are metaphors for our profession. I miss the kids. I don't miss the bs. I can't go back

Don't tell Coach but sometimes he's a pain in the arse - being a border collie means his brain is always on so when he sees me, he wants to DO THINGS. He's started getting shirty with me when I try to comb out the knots around his butt and legs. Makes me feel like I did when my toddlers would scream

it's been an expensive time: the laptop battery needed replacing, then the smashed oven door, then the car (yesterday 1.3k to get is WoF) and this morning, the gas fire is dead (not gas, no power) Grateful for the film script work - that's paid for the above. Sigh