Distant Lands.

Once again I'm teaching Tim Winton's short story collection, Minimum of Two, to my senior students. This is about the fifth year in a row I've done so. I never tire of it and the writing never gets stale.

Want to learn how to write a short story without a word out of place and no excess? Read these stories.

Distant Lands, The Water Was Dark And It Went Forever Down, and No Memory Comes just to name a few. Brilliant. Concise. Descriptive. Detailed. Emotive. The writing is superb. Efficient use of words and layer upon layer of meaning.

If I could write half as well as Winton.....

Sigh.

It's enough just to read these stories. Go ahead. As Molly used to say, Do yourself a favour.

Another Year.

I've had a great break, but it's almost time to start work again. Back to school on Tuesday, and I must admit to looking forward to some of the classes I have.

We have some great texts to teach this year, including World Shaker by Richard Harland, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, Minimum of Two by Tim Winton and the film Gattaca.

Generally I have great students who enjoy these books, but like any sample of kids you find some who have absolutely no interest in reading. And that is my biggest challenge. I understand kids who don't like reading, the same as some don't like maths, or sports, but it is necessary and I find I need to make them at least accept they have to put up with it.

From time to time I can turn one around; one who doesn't think they like reading, and end up enjoying the book and picking up more.

And for me, that's a win.