Author Archives: JoannaKujawa

On being a paranoid/obsessive writer

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Are you a paranoid writer? I am. I’m worse than that – I’m paranoid, impulsive perfectionist. If you have personality problems as a writer, you should feel better about yourself already – at least you’re not me! Though I’m usually … Continue reading

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On Finding a Niche

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When I finished the nth draft of my novel I knew that I would need to stop writing and start thinking long and hard about the audience for it. This is not unusual if your writing does not neatly fall … Continue reading

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On coming out of a spell

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At different times of my life I have been under spell of various periods of history, literature or art – but always associated with one particular place. In my twenties it was Paris and its times of greatness: the era … Continue reading

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On Dreaming, Walking, Cafes, Writing and Being Present

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I don’t know about you, but I used to spend lots of time daydreaming. Ever since I can remember, dreaming or daydreaming was one of the most exquisite pleasures of my life. When I was a child I used to … Continue reading

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On the Writing of a Novel

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I am sure exactly when and how I decided to write my novel. The idea for the novel came to me the same time as when I finally sat down to write Jerusalem Diary; that is in December 2007. But … Continue reading

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On Publishing and Self-Publishing

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As debate continues on the general state of the publishing business, the problems publishers and writers face, the desolation of bookstores, and the impact of internet booksellers such as amazon. com and The Book Depository, there is also, of course, … Continue reading

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On the Need to be Perfect and the Tyranny of ‘Shoulds’

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The weekend has barely ended and my body is rested but my mind is overrun by the need to be perfect and a long list of ‘shoulds’. Where do they come from: the need for perfection and the tyranny of … Continue reading

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On moving houses

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Today we are moving from our beautiful Jacaranda House. As with many houses before, I loved this one. This where I wrote my book, The House of the Beloved, this is where I have been happy with my partner, where … Continue reading

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On Being an Eclectic Soul

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If I were to be completely honest, beyond any pretence, beyond all the shorthand clichés on websites that are always only selected parts of ourselves, I am an eclectic soul. I am an eclectic soul and I am learning how … Continue reading

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That job application: Part two

So where did the click go? Did I listen to the energy, the intuition, the inner gut and refuse to act on fear, or did I follow all the signs and not apply? It is so nice to see all … Continue reading

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