Originally published at karen j carlisle. You can comment here or there.

One of the things I do during the first, major developmental rewrite of my books is to follow up on my ‘TK’ (notation to do later) notes and research. Usually I’ll have done some initial research (enough to write the first draft). Sometimes I’ll have just jotted something down ( Read more... )

Originally published at karen j carlisle. You can comment here or there.

This month is all about chocolate - Wed 7th being World Chocolate Day! And I’m off to Haighs.

As you know,  I’ve been in research mode as I knuckle down with  A Fey Tales rewrites. I’ve just finished revisiting previous chocolate history research. It all started in 2016, when ( Read more... )

Originally published at karen j carlisle. You can comment here or there.

Three days of steampunk fun and community, and I’m exhausted!

I caught up with some old friends, and made new ones. The event was run via Zoom and Discord. I’m not great with tech, so I loved this combo. I just had to click on the posted Zoom links, and it was easy to find the ( Read more... )

Originally published at karen j carlisle. You can comment here or there.

This article was first published in March 2016… and finally the research has found its home.

I first used aspects of the Lady Alice Mine in ‘All the Glitters’, a short story in the steampunk anthology, Den of Antiquity, 2016. ISBN: 978-0995276727

And now, after almost four ( Read more... )

Originally published at karen j carlisle. You can comment here or there.

When you think of early time travel stories, you’ll most likely think of H. G. Wells’ 1895 novel, The Time Machine. But did you know that there were many novels and short stories, written before 1895, with time travel as a central theme.

Here’s a list of stories you may be ( Read more... )

Originally published at karen j carlisle. You can comment here or there.

Adelaide is fortunate to have many of its original historic buildings. You can find them in the CBD, North Adelaide, surrounding suburbs, Tea Tree Gully and Port Adelaide area - just to name a few.

I love searching them out, discovering interesting little historic tit bits and ( Read more... )

Originally published at karen j carlisle. You can comment here or there.

A big part of my steampunk life is writing. I create alternative histories, with a twist and a touch of gadgetry.  My biggest tool is research. I make myself more familiar with historic facts and tiny details,  then change certain situations, extrapolate ramifications and ( Read more... )

Originally published at karen j carlisle. You can comment here or there.

I’ve been in opshop heaven this week. I’ve found two pairs of shoes - a pair of blue ‘suede’ shoes to wear with my TARDIS skirt (and a possible future Nerfpunk costume). I wore them to my writers’ group. They are soooo comfy.

( Read more... )

Originally published at karen j carlisle. You can comment here or there.

Regular readers will know I love chocolate. Dark chocolate specifically. So when the Tea Tree Gully Heritage Museum organised a display revolving around the history of chocolate, I was in! And so was my editor, Sharon.

Time for a road trip!


( Read more... )

Originally published at karen j carlisle. You can comment here or there.

Inspired by the recent film, we went in search of amazing beasts at the South Australian Museum’s recent exhibition: Curious Beasts. The exhibit bookends British Museum Animal prints - woodcuts and engravings from the 1400s through to the 1800s - neatly with specimen exhibits ( Read more... )