Left: A burrowing owl In the back of my notebook is the beginning of a drawing of an escalator. I was hiding between things, being alone; couldn't sit still, started tweeting. Should have gone outside and found some birds. I attended the session Birds of a Feather mainly because I love to hear people … Continue reading Birds of a feather: Melbourne Writers Festival 2011 diary, part two
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Lab coats, lit journals & marrying frogs: Melbourne Writers Festival 2011 diary, part one
It’s that time of the year again, where authors, poets, thinkers and drinkers congregate in Melbourne, and we go along to hear their thoughts about work and life. As I was away in the lead-up, I'm not doing any chairing or official duties this year. I get to go along and enjoy the talks, readings, … Continue reading Lab coats, lit journals & marrying frogs: Melbourne Writers Festival 2011 diary, part one
Shakespeare and Co., Paris
Despite seeing Notre Dame, the Panthéon and the Conciergerie today, and unexpectedly falling in love with stone, spiral staircases, there was another highlight I thought you'd appreciate: visiting one of the world's most famous and truly delightful bookstores, Shakespeare and Company. The shelves are crammed with old and new books, the staff (I heard only … Continue reading Shakespeare and Co., Paris
Going abroad
Tomorrow G and I fly to Europe for a 10 week stint. I'm presenting a paper at the London Film and Media Conference, and I'll be working on my thesis as we travel, but there will also be lots of time for art, food, people, absinthe... and of course, literary tourism. The agenda includes: France, England, … Continue reading Going abroad
Writing on writing: guest post by Harry Bingham
I've been a professional writer for more than ten years, but it was only recently, when asked to produce a How to Write book by A&C Black/Bloomsbury, that I came to think systematically about this craft of ours. I mean 'systematically' in two different dimensions. First, there's the whole area of technique. How, precisely, … Continue reading Writing on writing: guest post by Harry Bingham
Typecasting and narrative voice at the 2011 Emerging Writers’ Festival
The Emerging Writers' Festival, in its usual form, has thus far been about tequila shots and one long drunken conversation about The Wall. Yesterday I went to some actual sessions. Here's a write-up of two of those. Typecast The first session I attended yesterday was all about 'typecasting'. Do the authors on the panel agree with … Continue reading Typecasting and narrative voice at the 2011 Emerging Writers’ Festival
Live from Sydney Writers' Festival, part two: tips for aspiring literary couples
Today I attended the session 'Au Pairs' featuring writer-couples James Bradley and Mardi McConnochie, and Louis Nowra and Mandy Sayer. Bradley and McConnochie have been together for 20 years; Nowra and Sayer for eleven. Although the questions were not those you'd ask a lawyer-couple, as Bradley pointed out, people are often curious as to how a relationship works between … Continue reading Live from Sydney Writers' Festival, part two: tips for aspiring literary couples
Live from Sydney Writers’ Festival 2011: part one
I’m sitting by the waterfront – Sydney Harbour. Sunstruck. That is, struck by this sunshine. Ill-equipped, in my wool dress. I’ve just seen Geordie Williamson interview David Mitchell, and I was going to go to another session (French Kissing – ooh la la) but the line for it was around the block and I was … Continue reading Live from Sydney Writers’ Festival 2011: part one
Verity La interview
Alec Patric has asked me a few probing questions over at Verity La. If you're interested in me as a writer (and person), or are curious about my work, you might want to check it out.
Let's read writing by women
A new committee is being set up to pursue equal rights for women writers in Australia. Besides research, lobbying and setting up mentorships, the committee is looking at establishing a literary prize for Australian women writers, along the lines of the UK's Orange Prize. The steering committee (including novelist and publisher Sophie Cunningham, critic and … Continue reading Let's read writing by women
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