Zena Shapter

It can be difficult to take time off when you work for yourself. As an author, editor and writing mentor who works from home, the computer is always there, along with all the words and stories yet to be written. So I do sometimes struggle to down tools and disconnect when it’s time to relax. However, this long weekend, I did smash out a staycation, and I thought you might like to know how.…

In Australia, bushwalking can often resemble storytelling, so much so I recently made a short video about it, which has gone viral! Only kidding, it’s merely been well-received enough across all my social media platforms that I thought I’d share it with you here! You see, as I say in the video, we authors are very much like bushwalkers in that we have to draw our readers along the exciting…

Over dinner last Saturday night, I was talking with a friend about the creative life. Although we’ve known each other for fifteen years, she hasn’t been particularly interested in the topic until now, given she works in government and her husband’s an engineer – they just don’t walk in those circles. And it can be hard to appreciate, or even envisage, a lifestyle that’s so very different from…

How lucky am I? Last weekend, my wonderful hubbie drove the four hours from Sydney to Canberra to take me to a writing convention! It’s been years since I’ve been able to get down to Conflux, the Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild’s annual writing convention of literary greatness, what with the kids taking their HSC and life in general getting in the way. So it was well and truly time to join in…

For the past ten years, I’ve not only judged the Mosman Youth Awards in Literature, but I’ve written a judge’s report to advise emerging writers how they can improve their writing for next time. I’ve then published that advice on my blog each year (apart from the first year): Character Domination! MYAL 2017Tips for Young Writers for Literary Awards @mosmanlibrary #MYAL 20185 Tips for Young…

http://zenashapter.com/blog/launched-when-dark-waters-burn-is-out/

This weekend I was at the 2025 Manly Writers’ Festival, talking on a panel, presenting a workshop, enjoying book signings, literary trivia, mingling with readers, and more! It was so much fun! I also learnt a little about myself as a writer. While on the panel, I had the pleasure of talking about romance in speculative fiction, along with the talented Amy Hutton (who has a paranormal romance…

The fascinating literary history of my childhood home of Bournemouth – Tolkien, Shelley, Stevenson, Tolstoy, and more!

One of the things I miss most about living in the UK is its visual history. Growing up there was a time-travelling adventure – never far from a castle, stately home, strange mound in the ground or stone circle. Here in Australia, I recently bushwalked all around Sydney’s southern Middle Harbour, enjoying its leafy foreshore tracks, mangroves, sandbanks and creeks, all the way from Spit Bridge…

Everyone should write. There, I’ve said it. Writing is so liberating and cathartic. It allows you to explore your thoughts and feelings, as well as those of others. With it you can imagine the future, and delve into the trenches of the past. Writing can be an escape, it allows you to create insightful or expressive art, and it can incite connection with others, if you choose to share your…

Wow, thank you to The Tawny Frogmouth magazine for such a breathtaking interview in this month’s issue, ‘Local writing hero is an inspiration for living a better life’. I feel seen! I have always felt great empathy for those around me, whether it’s my community, writing tribe, friends or family. So if I notice that something needs changing, and no one else is taking action to make change, I try…