What can a writer do to prepare for this recession?

Here are a few recession-fighting tips for writers… (What I learned while an information adviser to Australia’s domestic science students, a history teacher, and during twenty years of foraging around as a free-lance writer.)

"He who tills his land will have an abundant harvest." Proverbs 12:11.
“Honour the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of your produce, then your barns will be filled with plenty.” Proverbs 3:9, 10.

"Mr Marinis said a large percentage of the population were 'blissfully unaware' of dire economic predictions for the year ahead." Courier Mail, Feb. 3.09.

" The future ain't what it used to be." Yogi Berra.

***If you live in the northern hemisphere, see tip 2 now

Tip 1

· While you’re taking much needed writing breaks, start a wild-food patch, with a few veggies that will grow like weeds, even if, like me, your thumb is about as green as that pig that flies over the moon.

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN BUY EDIBLE WILD FOOD for a pittance AT YOUR LOCAL BOTANIC GARDENS?(Even if it is illegal to pick them in your state.)

· With organic wild fruit and vegetables that can practically grow by themselves, you’ll make a huge saving on your grocery and health care costs next season.
· The price of food will sky-rocket once the workers’ strikes kick in. You will reap




rewards then. Now is the time to invest in planting. (Start composting today to build good soil.)


Collecting Cockleberries. Photo © Ludo Kuipers, OzOutback.com.au

Wild foods to grow
Australia: e.g. Wombat Vine berries, Mindyim berries, New Zealand spinach (Warrigal greens) etc.
See your local botanical gardens for a long list. http://www.anbg.gov.au/botanic-gardens/index.html

New Zealand: Kiwis seem to be particularly fond of wild food. The New Zealand Food Safety Authority publish a list of which foods are safe and which are not:- Here are some from the safe list as of Jan 09. Check regularly for updates.
FRESHWATER CRAYFISH, HUHU GRUBS, SALMON, TROUT, WHITEBAIT, INANGA KOKOPU, KAORA, WHELKS, LIMPETS,CRABS, DANDELION, CABBAGE TREE, NIKAU PALM, SEACUCUMBER, KIEKIE, SUPPLEJACK, MOST SEAWEEDS, MOST BERRIES, FLAX SEEDS, THISTLE NUT, MOST WILD HERBS

USA: http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/ This site gives detailed pictures and information about common US wild foods.
UK: The guys at selfsufficientish are a great source for wild food info in the UK. In this example they describe the myriad uses for the common Mallow. Apparently they can even be used for toilet paper, not that I’d recommend it, but…
http://www.selfsufficientish.com/index.php/wild-foods/188-the-common-mallow-malva-sylvestris .

Start leaving crumbs out for birds. They will kill insect pests. When you plant add companion plants from this list to destroy the rest :-

http://www.sgaonline.org.au/info_companion_planting.html

Tip 2***

Stock some fuel-producing items—firewood and coals for barbeques and heating, matches, etc. If you live in remote areas petrol would be a good idea. These will be needed if (and in our case when) blackouts and/or petrol shortages occur.
Stock up on a few basic durable food products, e.g. canned foods, pasta, etc.

Tip 3

Just for the experimental at heart(:

Even if you live in a cold climate, The Coolgardie Safe is the free Aussie bush fridge that works when hung under a tree.

Selfsufficientish have the instructions here:-

http://www.selfsufficientish.com/index.php/nevs-tips/110-keeping-your-cool-replacing-the-humble-fridge-by-selfsufficient-guru-nev-sweeney?start=1
(Remember, it goes under a tree rather than in a garage.)


Tip 4

Start making Gifts of Words. More about these in the next blog…

*The following site lists companion plants which control pests
http://www.gardentoad.com/companionplants.html

Tip 5

Apply the lessons from this article by Robert Sherbondy to your finances:-

http://www.christianityetc.org/economic_security.php

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(Wendy McNeice is a writer, editor, inspirational speaker and tutor and a one-time history teacher and information adviser. Find more writing tips at http://www.scribeofspirit.com . Read her latest book As the Eagle Flies the King, based around the remarkable true story of the release of the Israelites from ancient Babylon by a Persian king. http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60604-339-4 . http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Flies-King-Wendy-McNeice/dp/1606043390/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223864553&sr=8-1