Writing
There's a saying among writers:
good writing is ALL in the edit.
It's so true!
And the best type of edit is one done by someone
other than yourself, as another can see your work
with more clarity and objectivity than you can.
My proofreading and editing fees
are:
Pure
proofreading $AUS40/hour.
Editing up to $AUS65/hour (depending on
how heavy the edit needs to be).
Contact Despina
by email or
phone
to get a quote for your work.
It Began At The Beginning...
It was C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. (and my fourth grade teacher, Miss Amiet, who read it to the class) that started my love for reading. And my love for reading led to my love of writing. But it was around age fifteen that I read S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, and that was the first book I read that inspired me to want to become a writer.
Studying Writing (But Not Actually Doing Any Writing)
My childhood love of reading and my teenage dream of becoming a writer stayed with me through to adulthood. However, I never attempted to get published (except for a Q&A in Dolly Magazine from when I did work experience there in high school and a movie review for UNSW's university paper whilst I was at uni). This was because - although one of my university majors was English Lit (the other was Sociology) - up until my mid-twenties I didn't have the confidence to even try. So I prepared myself the usual way a book nerd does: via study.
Over several years I did correspondence courses through the Australian College of Journalism and gained diplomas in the following: Freelance Journalism, Health And Fitness Writing (now Sports Writing And Photography), Professional Children’s Writing, Creative Writing, and Professional Editing And Proofreading.
Finally, The Confidence To Write
While I was teaching and performing Bellydance full time, I also became brave enough to approach my colleague and mentor, Amera Eid (of Amera's Palace) about writing for her Bellydance magazine, The Palace Magazine (since bought by Bellydance Oasis). Amera was kind enough to give me my first published writing opportunity in 1998. By 2001 I was editing her magazine and did so until the end of +2005.
Editing and writing for The Palace Magazine for several years lifted my
confidence, but it was the acceptance of an article (If You Were A Wolf In The Wild) and a short story (Corina's Hair Goes Wild) from
The
School Magazine that gave me the
impetus to forge ahead with my writing. It was the first time someone who
didn’t know me wanted to publish something I’d written, and it was a real
confidence boost.
For the next several years, I wrote many a children’s article about animals, and the occasional short story and poem. As is the way with writing, most of my stuff got rejected, but many got accepted (although nowhere near enough to make anything that resembled an income). Check out the links below to have a look at the stuff I've had published.
My First Attempt At A Book
Late 2007 to early 2009 was spent writing a book called Little Dog In A Big City. In 2010, I acquired an agent (Sally Bird of Calidris Literary Agency) to represent it but unfortunately all the publishers she sent it to rejected it. (Ah, such is the life of the writer!)
Still, I wasn't going to let all that hard work go to waste, so I created a free online book, Little Dog In A Big City.
Writing For Animals
In 2010 I shifted my priorities from wanting to be published to wanting to use my writing skills to help animals. One way I'm doing this is through articles like these: Animal Thoughts.
My Published Work
Published In The School Magazine (Australian Publication):
Bee-hind The Scenes Part
1
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Orbit, July 2005, Vol. 90, No. 6).
Republished by ProQuest in 2006.
Illustrations by
Kerry Millard.
Bee-hind The Scenes Part
1
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Orbit, August 2005, Vol. 90, No. 7).
Republished by ProQuest in 2006.
Illustrations by
Kerry Millard.
Conversation With A
Hippo
© Despina Rosales,
2006
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Countdown, June 2006, Vol. 91, No. 5).
Corina's Hair Goes Wild
© Despina Rosales 2004
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Blast Off, February 2004, vol 89, No. 1).
Illustrations by Tom Jellett.
Dogs Anonymous
© Despina Rosales, 2007
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Touchdown, March 2007, Vol. 92, No. 2).
Illustrations by
Kerry Millard.
If You Were A Fox In The Forest
© Despina Rosales,
2006
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Orbit, September 2006, Vol. 91, No. 8).
If
You Were A Wolf In The Wild
© Despina Rosales, 2004
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Countdown, Jun 2004, Vol. 89, No. 5).
Illustrations by Noela Young.
Interview With A Gorilla
© Despina Rosales, 2006
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Orbit, September 2006, Vol. 91, No. 8).
Illustrations by Tohby Riddle.
In The Ocean Deep
© Despina Rosales,
2007
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Orbit, May 2007, No. 92, No. 4).
Lord Of The Wings
© Despina Rosales,
2007
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Orbit, March 2007, Vol. 92, No. 2).
Republished by ProQuest in 2006.
Names And Faces
© Despina Rosales, 2007
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Blast Off, April 2007, Vol. 92, No. 3).
Illustrations by
Kerry Millard.
Polar Bear
(not yet published)
© Despina Rosales,
2007
Bought by
The
School Magazine, January 2007
(not yet published).
Squid
(not yet published)
© Despina Rosales,
2006
Bought by
The
School Magazine, June 2006
(not yet published).
The Hermit Crab, The Octopus And The Anemone
(not yet published)
© Despina Rosales,
2007
Bought by
The
School Magazine, May 2007
(not yet published).
Unbeatable Cat: The Cheetah
(PDF not available yet)
© Despina Rosales,
2006
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Blast Off, Feb 2006, vol. 91, No. 1).
Unscramble These Clucky Phrases
© Despina Rosales, 2004
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Orbit, March 2007, Vol. 92, No. 2).
Illustrations
by Gaye Chapman.
Published In School Journal (New Zealand Publication)
Tigers On The Prowl
© Despina Rosales,
2006
First published in
School Journal
(Part 3, Number 2, 2006).
Published By Pearson (Australian Publishers)
High Society
© Despina Rosales,
2007
First published by
Pearson
in Explore, 2007.
Republished By Proquest (US E-Publication)
Bee-hind The Scenes Part 1
© Despina Rosales,
2005
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Orbit, July 2005, Vol. 90, No. 6).
Republished by ProQuest in 2006.
Illustrations by
Kerry Millard.
Bee-hind The Scenes Part 2
© Despina Rosales, 2005
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Orbit, August 2005, Vol. 90, No. 7).
Republished by ProQuest in 2006.
Illustrations by
Kerry Millard.
Lord Of The Wings
© Despina Rosales,
2007
First published in
The
School Magazine
(Orbit, March 2007, Vol. 92, No. 2).
Republished by ProQuest in 2006.
Published By The Art Of Healing (Australian Publication)
From Coma To Yoga
© Despina Rosales,
2011
First published by
The Art Of Healing, 2011.
Published In Stories From Inside The Mirror (US Book)
A Chat In Cyberspace
With Jennifer Anthony-DeGoursat
© Despina
Rosales, 2001
First published in The Palace Magazine,
Vol 25, 2001
Republished in Stories From Inside The Mirror in 2007.
Bellydancers And Their
Partners - Part 1
© Despina Rosales, 2002
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 30, 2002.
Republished in Stories From Inside The Mirror in 2007.
Bellydancers And Their
Partners - Part 2
© Despina Rosales, 2002
First published in The Palace Magazine,
Vol 31,
2002
Republished in Stories From Inside The Mirror in 2007.
Published By Wameda (US Publication)
Teaching A Beginners
Course In Bellydance: The Dropout
© Despina Rosales, 2001
First published in
Wameda, March-April 2001.
Published In Fernwood Club News (Australian Publication)
What Can You Expect If
You Go To A Yoga Class?
© Despina Rosales, 2007
First published in Fernwood Club News,
June 2007.
Published By The Palace Magazine (Australian Publication)
Safety Tips
© Despina Rosales,
1998
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 18,
1998.
Sumra Shines
On
© Despina Rosales,
1999
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 20,
1999.
Fit And Healthy
© Despina Rosales,
1999
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 21,
1999.
Rozeta Ahalyea: Dancing
Straight From The Heart
© Despina Rosales,
2000
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 23,
2000.
A Chat In Cyberspace
With Jennifer Anthony-DeGoursat
© Despina Rosales, 2001
First published in The Palace Magazine,
Vol 25, 2001
Elenie: Going With The Flow
© Despina Rosales,
2001
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 26,
2001.
Shamira: In Her Own Words
© Despina Rosales,
2001
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 27,
2001.
Ethics, Part 1
© Despina Rosales,
2001
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 28,
2001.
Ethics, Part 2
© Despina Rosales,
2001
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 29,
2001.
Ethics, Part 3
© Despina Rosales,
2001
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 30,
2002.
Amera's Interview, Part 1
© Despina Rosales,
2002
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 30,
2002.
Belyssa: Telling It Like It Is
© Despina Rosales,
2002
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 30,
2002.
A Sit Down With Jrisi, Part 1
© Despina Rosales,
2002
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 30,
2002.
Introducing Aadel Amin,
Egyptian Percussionist And Teacher
© Despina Rosales,
2002
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 30,
2002.
Investigation: Bellydancers And
Their Partners, Part 1
© Despina Rosales,
2002
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 30,
2002.
Amera's Interview, Part 2
© Despina Rosales,
2002
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 31,
2002.
Accreditation
© Despina Rosales,
2002
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 31,
2002.
Investigation: Bellydancers And
Their Partners, Part 2
© Despina
Rosales, 2002
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 31,
2002.
Absolutely No Video
Taping? Absolutely!
© Despina Rosales, 2002
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 31,
2002.
A Sit Down With Jrisi, Part 2
© Despina
Rosales, 2002
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 31,
2002.
Interview: Maria Masselos
© Despina
Rosales, 2003
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 32,
2003.
Jrisi's Overseas Dance
Adventure
© Despina
Rosales, 2003
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 32,
2003.
Interview:
Cathryn McCormack
© Despina
Rosales, 2003
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 33,
2003.
Stretching
© Despina
Rosales, 2003
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 33,
2003.
Melbourne's Emerging Star:
Soirse Flanagan
© Despina
Rosales, 2004
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 34,
2004.
Dancing In The Holy Land: An
Interview With Sarit Krcmar
© Despina
Rosales, 2004
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 34,
2004.
Bellyrobics: Interview With
Amera Eid
© Despina
Rosales, 2004
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 35,
2004.
Interview: Jane Bolinowsky
© Despina
Rosales, 2004
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 35,
2004.
The 15th Annual Sydney Middle
Eastern Dance Festival
© Despina
Rosales, 2004
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 35,
2004.
Living By The Sword
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 37,
2005.
Terezka Talks
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 37,
2005.
Middle Eastern Dance Festival
Is Coming Again!
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 37,
2005.
Eating Out At Erciyes
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 37,
2005.
Wax Up Doc?
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 37,
2005.
Yasmina Of Cairo Website Launch
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 37,
2005.
Interview With Tony Ishak From
Radio 2Moro
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 37,
2005.
Arabia 2Moro
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 37,
2005.
Heya Di Yasmina
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 37,
2005.
Belyssa Travels With The
Bedouin
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 38,
2005.
Interview With Sydney
Bellydancer Rabiya
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 38,
2005.
Interview With Annabella
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 38,
2005.
Firing Yourself From A Job
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 38,
2005.
Interview: Rachel Bond
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 38,
2005.
Art Of Bouzouki And
The Best Of Glykeria
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 38,
2005.
Dina In Monte Carlo, Dandesh, Noura and Fifi
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 38,
2005.
Jrisi's Hafla
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 38,
2005.
The Goddess
Series
© Despina
Rosales, 2005
First published in The Palace Magazine, Vol 38,
2005.
I love reading what successful
writers
have to say about the craft of writing.
Enjoy their wisdom here:
Writing Quotations
On the laptop, hard at
work (really, I am!)
Have a look at my
FREE online book,
Little Dog In A Big City. Anyone who has a dog in their family will benefit from the information on this
site so please pass the link on to family and friends:
www.littledoginabigcity.com. All the info is tried and tested by me personally and
is also
vet-approved.
"Everyone has talent.
What's rare is the courage
to follow it to the dark places where it leads."
-
Erica Jong (author)
"There are three rules
for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are."
- attributed to
W. Somerset Maugham
(playwright, novelist and short story writer)
Remember to check out my
FREE online book,
Little Dog In A Big City. Anyone who has a dog in their family will benefit from the information on this
site. All the info is tried and tested by me personally and also
vet-approved. The address is
www.littledoginabigcity.com.
"I write when I'm inspired, and I see to it that I'm inspired at nine
o'clock every morning."
-
Peter De Vries.
Read what writers
have to say
about the craft of writing.
Click here:
Writing Quotations