The myth that publishers have stacks of manuscripts  and that writers have to line up in a long queue was deflated by Jennifer Bacia during her talk at the Gold Coast Writers Association meeting . ‘Actually, that is not the case’ she stated. According to Jennifer, publishers are always looking for something that will make […]

IT Forum Gold Coast (ITFGC) is the best place to network with industry peers, potential clients and employers.  The Federal, State and local Governments give well-deserved recognition to ITFGC for being an active voice of the IT industry on the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Being a member gives you an unprecedented opportunity to stay informed […]

Mario Bojilov does take on Big Data and why not? In 2004, Mario Bojilov founded Meta Business Systems focusing on performance monitoring, business intelligence and social media analytics. Griffith University, Brisbane City Council, Queensland Urban Utilities and QUT are currently using solutions designed and implemented by Mario and Meta Business Systems and now, Mario, is […]

The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) is the largest technical professional association in the world today.  Its 400,000 members comprise engineers, scientists, information technology professionals, software developers, medical doctors, physicists and allied professionals from 160 countries.  It is large, well established and takes its leadership as a global institution with its worldwide network […]

Every month, over the last three years, I have listened to invited guest speakers at the Gold Coast Writers Association (GCWA) because I am constantly seeking an outside perspective on cultural and community values, knowledge of social media and writers’ responsibilities as citizens; values of humanity and global issues. I seek charismatic characters to be […]

Answers from Elena Ornig     On the 21st of January, members and guests were warmly greeted by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) Gold Coast Chapter Convener – Michael Blumstein.  Michael is an Associate Professor and Dean (Research) of the Science, Environment, Engineering, and Technology Group at Griffith University. In his address, Michael Blumstein reminded […]

Answers from Anya Tretyakova – contributor to Answers From. Medea has been a prominent figurehead in the world of performance, visual arts and literature for over two millennia.  Far from fading into obscurity over time, the myth of the woman has evolved into the representation of something far greater.  Medea has become an archetype – […]

Author and Editor Arthur Plotnik: “You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke.” An Australian author, editor and freelance writer, Candice Lemon-Scott was a guest speaker at the Gold Coast Writers Association meeting just a few days […]

General answers about writing, editing, readers expectations, publishing and marketing. Answers from Elena Ornig Every decision we make in our lives will result in actions, reactions, consequences and resolutions. The same applies to the decision to become a Writer. You feel like you want to take it on because you can, even though you suspect […]

What type of the character you are? Question from Elena Ornig We are all love to receive feedback and comments on our blogs and the websites. I do, too and I decided to publish my suggestions to every commentator on the Internet. Please, take a note of my categorization of your characters and my personal attitude to your comments. The […]

Answers from Elena Ornig The Gold Coast Writers Association encourages and supports writers. At the Gold Coast Writers Association meeting in November, one of the most exciting guest speakers– Timothy Ferguson shared some valuable tips on how to get the most out of the Gold Coast Library which has 13 branches and a mobile library […]

“Linking You Locally”    “Linking You Locally” was masterfully organised by the Gold Coast Helensvale Branch Library and Gold Coast Medicare Local with the benevolent support of many local businesses.   Gold Coast Medicare Local is a not-for-profit independent and locally run company and their generous sponsorship to the local event was greatly appreciated.     Despite the gathering grey clouds in the early morning the event started on time, at 9am and cheerfully welcomed the local community with colourful displays on both floors of the Helensvale Library; inside and outside. The event was officially opened by Councillor William Owen – Jones and was followed by the Latin inspired fitness dance Zumba. It was loud and full of colour. Many participated in the exhilarating ‘fitness-party’.    It was inviting, motivating and inspirational and many wonderful activities followed for the next few hours. Activities included a theatre performance, Pilates class, circus workshop and Basketball.  It was free and available ... Read the rest of this post

(If you want to know the general History of BarCamp – click the white button below) A free community event, the BarCamp Gold Coast 10 was organised by the founder and current President of Gold Coast TechSpace – Steve Dalton, by the current committee member and Secretary of Gold Coast TechSpace – David Tangye and Open Source Software Engineer – Anna Gerber. It was a fantastic event with intense social interactions, interesting discussions, well-organised workshops, clear visual demonstrations and plenty of practical advice – just like this one that I was able to capture on the spot: On a serious note, I can honestly say that I was listening and learning as much as I could.  I mean, seriously, where else would you find such a fantastic opportunity to meet with people like Singularity University Ambassador (NASA Ames Research Center), Adjunct Professor at Bond University and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University – Dr ... Read the rest of this post

Only three years have passed by, since tablet computers became a globally known product category, thanks to the Apple release of iPad. These days, almost everyone I know regardless of age has a tablet. No doubt these devices are the ultimate in electronic simplicity but are they rally so easy to use? And which one is better? The second question is easy to answer. Usually the choice of a tablet is a matter of the user’s preference. Apple stands alone against countless manufacturers of Android tablets and the only significant difference is in the operating system. But does it really bother the users to even know what these systems are? Not really…  Young people have got it right; they do not hesitate to try every button out of curiosity or ask each other what button to press in order to have what they want. The majority of the older generation is ... Read the rest of this post

At some point in our life we will face the fear of public speaking when we need to deliver a speech during a special occasion, address an audience, make a professional presentation or simply tell a story to a group of strangers; it is inevitable.  Public speaking can be and really should be a satisfying experience.  However, the majority of people feel fear, anxiety or experience stage fright. So, how can it be avoided? To answer this question I went to a ‘Dare to Speak!’ workshop at the Helensvale library which was organised by members of Toastmasters International. It wasn’t news to me that learning public speaking skills can be beneficial to effective communication and help to become a better leader. However, my pen was filling pages very quickly and I am happy to share what I learnt with you. ‘Dare to Speak!’ was well-organised, presented and lead by the Master of Ceremonies – ... Read the rest of this post

          The purpose-built Parklands grounds have been hosting the Gold Coast Show since 1989. Next year, it will be held at the new Gold Coast Turf Club at Bundall. The Parklands complex will be redeveloped into the athletes’ village for the much anticipated 2018 Commonwealth Games. Who knows how it will affect the future of one of the most popular shows on the Gold Coast, which usually attracts thousands of people to experience plenty of action. This was my first visit to the Gold Coast Show and the only reason for my visit was based on a purpose – to help fellow members of Gold Coast TechSpace to show their projects to the public.           By evening on the first day I felt exhausted but happy because I had a great time, surrounded by thousands of smiling people. I met some interesting personalities, saw rare animals and bought some gimmicky flashing water bottle just ... Read the rest of this post

Answers from Elena Ornig. Gold Coast TechSpace always welcomes new members and on the 22nd of July 2013 moved to a new address: Level 2, Room 204, Robina Community Centre, 1 San Antonio Court (cnr Robina Town Centre Drive), ROBINA, QUEENSLAND, 4226. They have multiple meetings and different events which everyone is welcome to attend (learn more about upcoming meetings and events). The members of Gold Coast TechSpace share a physical space in a non-exclusive environment. They come together and work on their own projects in open cooperation and collaboration with like- minded individuals. They build robots; develop games, websites and software applications; create new toys and diverse details on their own 3D printer. They share their knowledge with everyone who is interested to learn, to participate and to promote technology on the Gold Coast. They have  strong support from the City of Gold Coast, the peak body for Linux User Groups (LUGs) ... Read the rest of this post

Historically, the word geek went through a big transformation from its original meaning: freak, fool, and crazy, into describing someone as being actively interested in technology and mathematics. What a ride! Now this is becoming something of what one might consider to be worship. I certainly, found myself with the strong desire to become one of them -a geek. It is all about perception in our world, isn’t it? The perception of respect based on dogmatic social associations and the easier something is to label the more acceptable they are by the masses. Although, the meaning of geek is still indefinite – it is evolving into the respectable territory of learning, capability and intelligence. So, how do we now perceive a geek or geeks and how are they reconciled with the existing modern world?  In my view – quite spectacularly! From obsessive tech-enthusiasts they are becoming single-minded or better to say – ... Read the rest of this post

The first Brisbane Writers Group Convention generated considerable interest and was successfully executed by the enthusiastic Convention Coordinator Gillian Lloyd (NightWriters Writing Group). On Saturday, July 27, 2013, at the Jagera Arts Centre, the first Brisbane Writers Group Convention delivered more than it promised. Writers didn’t just meet but established valuable connections by introducing their own groups – they shared knowledge and experience. Writers and group facilitators shared know-how of how writers groups organize their work and help each other to achieve their individual goals. One by one, writers groups representatives went to the microphone and explained unique ways of how to attract new members, the best techniques they have found to criticize constructively; how they share knowledge and practical experience in publishing, how they help fellow writers to create writers blogs and websites, what exercises they use to improve skills in creative writing, how they are encouraging writers to use writers ... Read the rest of this post

From Anya Tretyakova – contributor to Answers From Barry Langford describes the Science Fiction (SF) genre as “hyper-modern almost by definition” (182); whether through a belief that this is self-evident terminology or due to simple oversight, Langford neither attempts to define nor elaborate on the meaning of this term other than to seemingly equate it with postmodernism.  It is not uncommon to see ‘postmodernity’ used to describe ‘hypermodernity’ in academia (A. Kroker, M. Kroker and Cook 443; Armitage 26), the difference seeming that the latter is a more aggressive state of the former, requiring little further elucidation.  Uniquely, Lipovetsky provides a deeper explanation, positing hypermodernity as essentially an exaggerated, intensely individualised social movement, built upon hedonistic consumption, whilst simultaneously earmarked by anxiety over the loss of traditional ties and the precariousness of an unclear future (22).  Likened to a culture of panic, a social mood oscillating between extreme optimism and acute ... Read the rest of this post

Plautus’s success in playwriting Written by Anya Tretyakova – contributor to Answers From With no less than twenty extant plays attributed to the Roman playwright, Titus Maccius Plautus, his work remains the earliest surviving example of Latin literature, as well as one of its biggest bodies of work (Arnott).  Born circa 254 BC in the northern Italian region of Umbria and moving to Rome at an early age, Plautus came from humble beginnings, to be recognised by contemporary academics as one of the most influential playwrights of all time (Norwood).  At one stage, working as servant to a baker (Norwood), Plautus’s early struggles to achieve success imbue his works; especially his main characters – clever slaves with a streetwise, mischievous streak – stories with a charming (and disarming) approach to the ideologies of social and moral status.  It would be difficult to read Plautus without noticing the overarching theme of low social status ... Read the rest of this post

Written by Anya Tretyakova – contributor  to Answers From Molière (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin) & Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais   Molière and Beaumarchais fell prey to much controversy, criticism and condemnation during their lifetimes, regardless of this, they also enjoyed widespread popularity.  Often compared for their satirical approach to class hierarchy, witty social and political commentary, as well as secular inclination, Beaumarchais and his compatriot predecessor, Molière, are two incredibly influential French playwrights, both in their time and in the contemporary era (Lewis).  Molière in the 17th Century and Beaumarchais in the 18th wrote works, which challenged social values, questioned religious dogma and infuriated as well as pleased many an audience member.  Whether it was a private viewing, or a public performance, their plays did nothing if not create fervor of opinion in their wake (Carlson, French Stage).  Working in a period wherein France had few permanent theatrical venues, both Molière and his successor, Beaumarchais, needed ... Read the rest of this post

I asked my friend: “When I feel stupid what could I do?” Her answer was loud and clear! WHEN YOU FEEL STUPID, READ THIS! You’ll feel much better after this…. and then read it again; you’ll begin to think you’re a genius. (On September 17, 1994, Alabama’s Heather Whitestone was selected as Miss America 1995.) Question: If you could live forever, would you and why? Answer: “I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever,” –Miss Alabama in the 1994 Miss USA contest.   —————————————————————————————-   “Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry. I mean I’d love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff.” Mariah Carey      —————————————————————————————-   “Smoking kills. If you’re killed, you’ve lost a very important ... Read the rest of this post

For Week 18th of ‘THE NEXT BIG THING’ BLOG HOP    Special thanks to Eri Nelson for asking me to participate. Big thanks to Madeline Sloane who nominated me for week 18th.  Below you will be able to learn a little about myself, my latest work and the authors who will follow me in week 19th.  Their interviews due to be published on 31st of October. Be sure to check them all out ! Q: What is the working title of your book? Actually, the title was chosen straight away and hasn’t changed since I began writing “The Perfect Smile from Bangkok”. I believe this title truly reflects my personal feelings, the endless benefits that this book offers to readers, and the desire of many people to have a perfect smile. Q: Where did the idea for this book come from? The idea came from my personal experience after many years of restricting myself to not smiling. How could I smile when my teeth’s ... Read the rest of this post

PRESS RELEASE Everyone has their own path but every path is a journey which encompasses all. Australia, October 21st from Julia Sophistique Pty Ltd – “Never before were we blessed with the opportunity to sign and publish a young and talented International author” – said the Director of the Australian publishing company, Elena Ornig. “His Fictional Novelette My Soul’s Labyrinth is an encompassing journey. In the spiral dance of life, full of twists and turns, his heroine is tending to her soul, shedding grievous thoughts and emotional pain, in search for liberation and peace of mind; just like we all do in order to find who we really are. For a man to take the challenge and to delve deep into a growing tragically wounded girl’s soul seemed a difficult task. However, the Author, Sergii Razumov, writing under the “pen name” Kim Kiuru, is brilliantly successful in understanding a lost soul.” – ... Read the rest of this post