I was born in Northern Ireland, and lived with my family in a little (as in: blink or you'll miss it) village called Altnamackin in County Armagh until we made the long and alienating journey to New Zealand in 1974. I was named after Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, who, legend has it, planted a…
That is not what I meant, at all
Recently I had to submit a forty-word statement on "What Writing Means To Me" to a literary magazine, as a preface to one of my short stories. My toes curled in horror and I could feel my computer keyboard bracing itself for some recalcitrant bashing and prodding. I just hate that sort of thing. It…
Recently I found out that a literary magazine (Takahē, published quarterly here in New Zealand) is keen to publish one of my short stories. In the same week, I learned that I am one of two runners-up in a writing competition I entered a couple of months ago. (I can't tell you any more details as they…
Resolutions
Welcome to one of my favourite places in the world. I'm not going to tell you exactly where it is, because not many people have discovered it for the treasure that it is, and as a result it is still a relatively peaceful backwater. Most people head to the nearby holiday town (two words that strike…
The Duck Huggle
OMG, my daughter (Miss B.) has beaten me to it. She's written a book. And it's good. Gripping, even. She disappeared to her writing corner the other day with paper, a pen and a determined look. More than an hour later she emerged, ink stains on her fingers and that slightly wild look on her face that…
Family Pass
This article was published in the December issue of NEXT Magazine here in New Zealand. Actually, let me qualify that. The published version was edited a bit, and given a title I didn't particularly like. In general I was happy with the finished product and the editor was very respectful, going out of her way to let…
The Singing Scribe
I was on stage recently, belting out a parody of Bohemian Rhapsody with a group of fellow musical theatre-ites (fortunately it was a paid gig, which made it bearable), and it got me thinking about music and writing and the ways in which we humans express ourselves. I'm a trained singer and I've been involved in musical…
Divine Inspiration
So I’m watching my daughter’s swimming lesson at the local pool today. When I say “watching”, I mean periodically glancing up from my writing notebook, where I am frantically scribbling random ideas and brainstorm notes about my novel-in-progress as I try to work out a tricky plot conundrum. Near the end of the lesson the…
Furnishing Desire
Could you write a short story in EXACTLY 100 words? I had a go today... You stand in the corner, silent. Your legs, your arms, your back all curve luxuriously, solipsistically stealing space. You are taunting me, teasing me. Come. Closer. Covet. I circle you, regarding with giddy wonder the graceful whorls and lattices traced intricately…
A few of my favourite things
See my list of Goodreads just over there to the right? I thought it was about time I shared my thoughts about some of my favourite books. I do this hesitatingly, because I'm a tad cynical about "my favourite anything" lists. I suspect people angst over making one because they're worried about what others will…
Patricia Bell, Author 