Good news day: published in The Guardian

I'm so happy to have been published in The Guardian for the Stream Team Column writing about my favourite movie Stir of Echoes. This gig came about because Stephanie Convery, Deputy Culture editor, posted on a Facebook group I follow Binder Full of Australian Women seeking women to pitch. I was so excited because I'm looking for opportunities to hone my freelance writing skills.

This column is about writing about a TV show or movie that is being streamed in Australia and came about because of lockdown and the only entertainment available was our screens.  I cast my mind to think about my favourite movies. While there are a few that I've watched and re-watched every year this is the one that was available on Stan and I knew the most.

I pitched to Stephanie and she asked to see the article. My spidey senses tingled at the challenge. I re-watched the movie and made notes throughout. Over the weekend I spent 5 hours, on and off, crafting the review. This is not my usual genre and I found it quite challenging. There was a point during the process where I wanted to give in, thought I wasn't capable as imposter syndrome came creeping in. But I am nothing if not persistent. So I finished and submitted.

I waited. After a few days I followed up, as Stephanie had indicated she didn't mind. I waited another week. I followed up again. I waited another three days, getting convinced I'd fucked the whole thing up and it wasn't publishable. Just when I had given into despair, Stephanie emailed me. She'd copyedited it, restructuring slightly and tightened it so it was more about the plot, and it was being published.

So there you go, a publication story that is all able trying, persisting, and being patient (which is not my strong suite).