Category Archives: Blog

Hoped Up

Blog, , ,

Those of you who’ve read my books may remember Blaine’s “ticks for hope”—a habit learned from his parents. Blaine doesn’t exactly think it’s cool, but often when he finds himself in a jam that’s where his mind goes.

This specific term was actually coined by my editor. She introduced it into a scene in Integrate when Blaine was in a pretty sucky situation, and it stuck. Given the state of things presently, I think we could all do with some ticks for hope. And specifically relating to recent COVID-19 events, we in Australia have had much to be grateful for lately.

So, what are ticks for hope? For the uninitiated, here is an example from the Blaine Colton trilogy, Book 3: Activate p. 178

    What have I got to hopeful for now?

    It seemed an impossible concept. He was doubly disabled. If he overcame one challenge, the other may be equally debilitating.

    ‘Whatever you can think of.’ Eddie’s voice interrupted Blaine’s inner monologue. ‘Maybe a person—or something—to give you hope. Grab it. Don’t let the dark thoughts in. Okay?’

Stop dark thoughts. Blaine started picking at the scabs from recent months, seeking a glimpse of … something … below each ugly wound. I can still hear and comprehend some things.

    One tick for hope.

    He acknowledged this tick reluctantly. Hope was not something he’d attached to his loss of responsiveness. Even more so now. There had to be something else.

Ticks for hope is the conscious act of picking out that one (or two, or three—or as many as you can) positive factor in a situation that’s swiftly going belly up, or has already flipped upside-down! It doesn’t have to be big. In fact, it might be something quite small, but by shifting focus from all the things going wrong and setting our sights on the thing (or things) that haven’t capsized, we can change what’s going on inside.

Copyright: Depositphotos.com https://depositphotos.com/96823288/stock-illustration-retro-cartoon-tick-symbol.html

Looking at the positives won’t necessarily change the challenges swirling around us, but it can bolster our courage and stem the storm of anxiety threatening to overwhelm us inside. It reminds us that even when all else has collapsed, we’re still alive and we’re still inherently valuable—even if it’s really hard to believe that.

So over to you. How do you get through difficult situations? Why not jump onto comments and let me know if you have a “ticks for hope” equivalent.

Write Ideas

Blog, , , , , ,

I thought I’d try something new for the New Year. (Look, it got away on me, alright?!) A few artists I follow have branched out with fresh ideas, so I thought I’d try the same. Welcome to my first Vlog post with writing ideas, as promised, for reaching out to those in our communities currently locked down in aged-care facilities. Enjoy. And don’t forget to share your own ideas in the comments below.

You’ve Got Mail

Blog, , , , , , , , ,
Photo Credit: SARS and MERS, Bayer College of Medicine

Corona virus (COVID-19) may not have yet taken over the world, but talk of it certainly has, along with its impact on our global community, including sanctions to slow its spread. And Australia is not immune. (Sorry, lab humour.)

Unless you’ve been in a coma these past few weeks, you’d also know Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita, were quarantined in Australia after testing the positive to the virus.

Image Credit: Cartoon Do Not Enter iStockPhoto, Through Line Group

Even in that short space of time, things have continued to “roll” along at speed (had to squeeze a loo paper reference in there somewhere), with quite a few Australians not on their best behaviour. Sadly, those most impacted are the vulnerable, particularly our aged community. For that reason, aged-care facilities are now in lock down,reducing the already limited contact some of these darling folk have with family and friends.

Which brings me to my point.

Photo Credit: Retro Vintage Style Desk Phone, Ebay

Once upon a time, in a distant land where phones sat on desks or phone tables 100% of the time and were plugged into the wall by a cord and decorated by a strange circle with holes in it, there was this thing called mail. (You may have heard of it? 😉) In fact, it was common to say, “Send a letter, it’s cheaper.” How times have changed. Anyhoo …

This letter-writing period is one those locked down in aged-care facilities would remember well. That delicious moment you’d go to the mailbox and discover “you’ve got mail”! (And if you know the movie starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, you’ll get this completely.)

Image Credit: You’ve Got Mail, Huffington Post

So, my point is, what a great time for all of us to write!

Even if we can’t visit those locked down in aged-care facilities, we can still write letters. (But if you’re flu or cold or corona virus affected, especially until more is known about the persistence of COVID-19, let someone else do the writing until you’re well—and don’t lick the stamp and envelope seal if you’re sick!)

Letters don’t have to be long. You could even get creative and send a letter for everyone in a facility to read. It’ll cost you a little over a dollar, maybe more if you decide to send a card, but what a great way to let our aged know they’re still a vital part of our community.

Seriously, let’s not neglect those at the mature end of our age spectrum—a group steeped with knowledge and experience even Dr Google can’t top. (True story.)

Photo Credit: Mail Box, Australia Post

Let me know your thoughts, or if you’d like some tips on what to write about, see my next blog … For which I’m planning something a little different. 😉

See you then!