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2018 Best New Talent - Short and Sweet Festival Sydney
2014 Pushcart Prize nominee. (more)

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Greatest Written Films - Giant




A sweeping melodrama, for certain, but with some outstanding dialogue and one embittered character in its center that lifts this to Greatest Written status.

That character is Jett Rink, (James Dean in surely his best performance) as a Texan ranch hand who comes into a small piece of land and discovers oil there. He announces to his previous employer (Rock Hudson) whom he doesn't like, that he will be richer than his old boss one day. Jett is more interested in Hudson's wife Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor). Thus begins a story that lasts decades. Passion can last just as long. So does bitterness. James Dean is afforded a long life in the film, something he was personally denied.




On the surface, Giant is about the Texan oil rich generations and plots the cost of such wealth. Paul-Thomas Anderson covered similar territory in There Will be Blood. (2007).

Fred Guiol and Ivan Moffat adapted the novel by Edna Ferber (1885-1968). She had other novels adapted into successful films such as Showboat. Ferber was a part of the group known as Algonquin Round Table, a collection of artists and writers who met almost everyday for ten years. And it wasn't all friendly. Lili Taylor played her in the film, Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994).

Ferber knows how to create interesting, troubled characters, and Dean is perfectly cast. Taylor, also, is a woman conflicted, and Hudson, a husband and father desperate to cling to his family. There is also a sub plot on racism, poignant for the times, but clearly not heeded. There is much to enjoy in this epic.




The film is brilliantly directed by George Stevens and the performances are wonderful, (including a young Dennis Hopper). Giant won a scope of Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay.
I always feel as though, somehow, the original author misses out during these award shows. Giant may be classic George Stevens, but it's pure Edna Ferber.



Coming Soon,

More Poetry,and Stories 



Poem - We


We 

The human being 
what a thing are we 
flailing about in the sea 
constant state of me and me
the circumference of our world 
so small yet so profound to us 
all the universe in one 
and all embracing


 

clutching, swimming 
busy as armies 
not to see 
the forest through the trees 
about and in heaven and sin 
the worldly flesh
keeps us abreast 
and grounded 
where we cannot be 
corporeal in tone 
yet a wishful nature 
a yearning for so much more 
unable to fully atone 
what a curious thing 
are we.



 
Coming Soon

Updates on some recent Novel submissions, 
More in the Non-Fiction series Greatest Written Films A New Series, 
Famous After Death and more Short Stories... Until Then,


 

The Long Jetty - Literary Journal now available & Launch


The Long Jetty - Officially Launched.


 

The Verandah Literary Journal is only published once a year, and I'm very excited to be a part of this year's publication, the 25th Anniversary Edition. 

I wrote The Long Jetty when I was away for a few days. The premise is the internal meditation of an old man who walks down a Long Jetty at his favourite holiday spot. He has done this every year for decades, but this year is different. This year his wife will not be accompanying him. This year his wife died. Suddenly the Long Jetty looks very different. 

If you purchase a copy of the Journal, you will get to read the story in full, plus you will be supporting the Arts. It is full of Stories, Poetry, Design and Photography, so there is much to enjoy I don't submit many stories as I spend most of my writing time concentrating on my novels and now of course, this blog. Plus I'm terrible at the business side of writing and really could be doing a lot more. I think I need a manager. Or an agent. So I won't have any publications coming up anytime soon, so this is it for 2010 folks! 

The Journal is available to order online here. I'm happy to sign it for you if you like if we can arrange it. Just get in touch with me. (My email is on my profile). Here are some shots from the Official Launch at the Melbourne Writers Festival. I would have loved to been there, but alas, I am based in Sydney and could not get down. It seemed like a great event.



(Update: The Long Jetty is the last story in the collection, Pseudo Stars, available below).



Coming Soon, 
More Poetry, Stories, etc. Love to see you back! And feel free to spread the word. Please! Until Then,



Melbourne Writers Festival Launch (Story)



It's short notice, but Saturday the 4th of September sees the official launch of the 25th Anniversary Edition of the Verandah Literary Journal. They are using the Melbourne Writer's Festival to do it and I'm pleased to have a story in this special edition, The Long Jetty.




If you're in Melbourne, and happen to find yourself at Federation Square at 4pm, pop into the Feddish Cafe/Bar Restaurant, River Terrace Yarra Building, where the Launch is taking place.




Unfortunately, I will be in Sydney and can't attend, but I am honoured to be a part of the magazine and the festival, in this small way.

You can pre-order the issue here. If you're in Australia, you might want to get a copy. Not only is it a great Literary publication with stories and poetry, but there is featured artwork, Design, Photography and non-fiction as well. (There is also special offers on past editions.)

More about the Verandah Launch.

More about Verandah Literary Journal.

More about the Melbourne Writers Festival, which is currently underway.



Next post,
A little insight into my novel, Ode to Dead Young Friends, and it's
recent submission.

Until Then,