Blowing out the cobwebs

Kia ora,

I love my job, but even I need to get out of my office and off the property every now and then. New places and new experiences help blow out the cobwebs and get ideas going.

I know you know this.

So last week I went to the Catlins for a few days. This part of Southland is one of my favourites: native forest goes right down to the sea, the petrichor and salt fill your nostrils, and because this is the Catlins, there are waterfalls everywhere. 

Here I am at Slope Point, the southern most point on the South Island!

I got to the edge of the world and just sat on the ground, watching the waves crash against the rocks and staring south, all the way to the horizon. I had the place to myself. Amazing.

If you’re feeling cooped up, try and get out. Even if it’s just a day trip or a walk through a different park. Maybe writing ideas will come to you, maybe they won’t. Either way, you’ll be taking a much needed break and slowing yourself down.

Cheers,

Deborah

PS. Here’s a round-up of cool news and articles from the online world.

Northland woman makes history as part of first all-female crew to sail non-stop around the world. Rebecca Gmuer-Hornell raced around the world in 57 days, 21 hours and 20 minutes. Bloody amazing.

Is it time to retire ‘Venice of the East’? Fantastic article from Tarang Mohnot on the BBC about colonial language in travel writing. Give this a read if you’re writing about travels outside of Western countries.

Plan My Walk Content Advisor & Administrator. Live in Wellington, NZ, and fancy a new job? The NZ Mountain Safety Council has this vacancy open. Plan My Walk is such a great resource, so what a cool opportunity to be a part of the team!

PPS. I made a new banner for Write the Adventure. What do you think? I had to keep Aoraki in the background. Now that I say that, I realise I’m long overdue a trip to Aoraki National Park…

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📚 What I’m reading

Our Home in Myanmar: Four years in Yangon, by Jessica Mudditt.

I got a little distracted at the library, so I’m also reading The epic city: the world on the stress of Calcutta, by Kushanava Choudhry.

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📅 Availability

I’ve just booked out March, but I have space from April. Get in touch if you want a sample edit so you can see what editing can do for your story.

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✍️ Ways to work with me

Apply for a free sample edit​

​Get your manuscript edited

Read the Base Camp Writing blog

Check out my self-publishing guides

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