Clik here to view.
The Voices In My Head
I have an interesting profession. Other than my colleagues, I’ve never met anyone who works at a private detective agency. I like seeing the surprised looks on people’s faces when I tell them what I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When all You can Manage is a Word
One of my adventures. This will be a short post, for reasons to be made clear. I want to talk about goals (because it’s a day ending in ‘y’) and I want to talk about being busy (because I have been)....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Recalibrating to Hope
I had a strange moment the other day. I was at a local bookstore and there was a man signing books there. I didn’t talk to him. I’m not so good at making small-talk with strangers. But I watched him...
View ArticleClik here to view.
I’m Not Perfect, And That’s Okay
I guess you could call me a perfectionist. I’m the kind of perfectionist who starts things, realizes I’m bad at them, and then gives up. I’m the kind of perfectionist who looks at something hard,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Arguments With Imaginary People
I’m a pretty stubborn person, and when I start an argument you’d better believe I won’t stop talking until I’ve either won or worn my opponent down. But if there’s one person I can’t win an argument...
View ArticleClik here to view.
My Hopes For New Adult
It’s the advice that every young writer hears at some stage: write the book you want to read but can’t find on the shelves. In some ways I’ve followed that advice with every book I’ve written, but back...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Of First Dates and Manuscripts
A first date I’m dating a new manuscript. It’s exciting. It’s scary. I’m trying to take it slow. Starting a new story is a lot like starting a relationship. You don’t just jump straight to marriage....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Boredom and the Working Writer
I’ve been a writer since before I can remember. My mum recently found a speech I wrote in year six in which I announced that when I grew up I was going to be an author or a poet or a journalist — I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
One Last Book
I asked a question on Twitter a few days ago: What if you could only write one more story? What would you write? What kind of chances would you take? — Beth Smith (@bethanyrsmith) June 6, 2013 I got a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Happy Post
For the past few months my blog hasn’t been the happiest place, and I hate that. I’m a happy person, for the most part, and this period of disillusionment has been a real departure from my usual...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Riding Downhill
Dear Self, Do you remember when you were a kid and you would spend hours riding your bike around town, no destination in mind, just because you liked to explore? Do you remember that one time you were...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Five Things on a Friday
I’m meant to be cleaning the house right now, hence the lazy list. I’ve had a million ideas for blog posts this week but no energy to write them, so you may be hearing from me again this weekend. Let’s...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Finding Yourself in Fiction
I’ve been thinking lately about the kinds of books I enjoy and I’ve come to a conclusion: Reading is a lifelong search for self in fiction. Oh, I am capable of enjoying a book for purely academic...
View ArticleClik here to view.
In Which Beth Gets Crafty
So, I’ve been trying really, really hard to distract myself from the call of the Sea Story, but as you can see, I haven’t been overly successful: “You can spend your whole life being afraid of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Participation Counts
This is a post for those of you who are working hard at something and starting to get discouraged. Maybe you want to lose weight, maybe you’re learning a musical instrument, maybe you’re writing a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Already Living The Dream
It’s the end of another hockey season. My team made it to the finals but lost the Grand Final against their main rivals throughout the season, which is exactly what happened last year. But this year...
View ArticleClik here to view.
My Year of Writing Fearlessly
Back in June I decided the Sea Story would be my last YA novel, unless something changed. I was tired of hearing I should be an adult writer, and I was starting to forget why I wanted to write about...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Five Tips for Surviving the Day Job
Well, it’s that time of the year again, the oh-my-goodness-Christmas-is-coming-why-am-I-not-on-holidays-yet time of year. The time of year in which I start feeling like a school kid, peering at the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Meaningful
If you are a young writer, working away at your craft, the best advice I could give you is to surround yourself with wise and encouraging people. This actually applies to all creative types. Writing is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Skates In, Skates Off
Some things have been happening in my little corner of the globe and I’m afraid they might make updating this blog a little harder for the next five weeks or so. Those things have to do with the Sea...
View Article
