So those of you following the saga of our Clarion instructors totem animals are probably thinking, what about Geoff and Nalo? Kelly left us with Rabbits, Jim is flapping around with the Crows, Mary-Anne gave us hummingbirds and Neil arrived with a pair of hooting Owls (and a cricket match). Well tonight totem animal numberContinue reading “Racoon Totems”
Author Archives: Damien Walter
Wainscot Tarot and approaching goodbyes
Amidst my hectic Clarion schedule I’ve been working on a flash fiction piece for Behind the Wainscot, who are publishing a linked series of stories inspired by tarot cards a little later this month. I was pretty excited to be invited to take part, especialy when I saw the list of other contributors which includesContinue reading “Wainscot Tarot and approaching goodbyes”
What do you want?
And who are you? Yesterday the Clarion group sat in a semi-circle around Neil Gaiman and listened to him talk about story. The light was shining so brightly everone was glowing. I have photos, I may share them. Neil talked about want, specificaly what characters want and using knowledge of that to make a storyContinue reading “What do you want?”
I am a God of Subjective Reality…
…and I like David Brin! The Clarion group just received a splendid theatrical performance from the Hugo award winning author. Two key pieces of advice: 1. Control your ego! 2. Enjoy your success. 3. Writing is magic. (Because of the subjective reality thing) Both delivered in circuitous but fascinating fashion alongside a general theme ofContinue reading “I am a God of Subjective Reality…”
Momentum in Serendipity magazine
My short story ‘Momentum’ is in this months issue of Serendipity, the magazine of magical realism. This is a re-print from Electric Velocipede #13, so if you don’t have a subscription to that fabulous ‘zine (and you really should) then here is a second chance at the story. There are also tales from Rhys Hughes,Continue reading “Momentum in Serendipity magazine”
Wise Owls
Neil Gaiman arrived yesterday to take the reins as our instructor for week four of the Clarion workshop. The whole group went to see The Dark Knight and Neil came along as well. Pretty exciting. The general consensus seemed to be that without Heath Ledger it would have been a bad film. With him itContinue reading “Wise Owls”
Kelly’s Crows
Today I finished two weeks at Clarion. It feels like much longer. There is a consensus that one week of Clarion world time is about three weeks of real world time (or should that be the other way around?). One of my fellow clarionites has observed that we are living in strange environment. The weatherContinue reading “Kelly’s Crows”
Canyon Crows
Canyon Crows pick at carrion, Clarion student leaves uneaten. (hmmm….not actually as dark as it sounds! I got buzzed by crows who wanted a piece of my dinner.)
Oh, and also…
…I feel like I’ve been here for months. Time has a different consistency when you remove the interference of sleep… D
Clarion, or a six week course in sleep deprivation.
So, I’m now settled into the routine at Clarion, which goes a little something like this – get up, eat breakfast, 3 -4 hours group critique of stories submitted the day before. Have lunch. Afternoon lecture, followed by tech session / other essential life maintenance chores, write, dinner, read stories for next morning, write critiqueContinue reading “Clarion, or a six week course in sleep deprivation.”
Apple Crashed My E-Mail
Apple have killed my e-mail. Mail was dodgy all morning. Then it crashed, freezing my Macbook Pro. When I rebooted a new version of the software had been installed and all my accounts had been deleted! Trying to set them up again I noticed I now had Exchange support, so this must be something toContinue reading “Apple Crashed My E-Mail”
Return to Serendipity
Everyones favourite journal of magical realism, Serendipity, have kindly agreed to reprint my short story ‘Momentum’, originally published in Electric Velocipede #13. Regular readers will remember I appeared in Serendipty in December with the story ‘Circe’s‘. Its great to return to its digital pages as I have read and enjoyed every issue to date.
Damien Walter 