Lovely readers, I am taking a very short blog break (about a week) as I am off to Sydney for my Confimation of Candidature and to present a paper (on this, of all things) to the Writing and Society Research Group at UWS. A few bits and bobs to keep you occupied: Follow Steve Martin … Continue reading A very short break (+ fun links)
Overland
Melbourne Writers Festival 2009 diary part three: future cities, beautiful rhythms and a literal ending
'I just blogged' I said to my friends when I ran into them, flustered, between sessions. Chris Flynn looked at me and said 'that sounds dirty', like 'I just did a blog', 'I just dropped one' and other variations. And now, the word blog is RUINED for me. But I was enlightened by two things: … Continue reading Melbourne Writers Festival 2009 diary part three: future cities, beautiful rhythms and a literal ending
Progressive writers
I'd like to introduce you to some of the writers who also participated in the Overland Masterclass for Progressive Writers, a week-and-a-half ago. Simonne and Maxine have written summaries of the workshop, if you want to know what it was all about. The dynamics were interesting - the 'progressive' themes varied greatly, and were executed differently … Continue reading Progressive writers
Somewhere in there…
I'm exhausted and incoherent so I won't offend you with a blabbering blog post. I'll try and sum up things in a minimalist fashion: Overland Master Class for Progressive Writers: inspiring, practical, beneficial + connections made. My party last night: 4am tequila, Trivial Pursuit, gender conversations, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, chips for breakfast. My week … Continue reading Somewhere in there…
Literary heroes
Today was the first day of the Overland Masterclass for Progressive Writers. There are nine of us, giving (hopefully) constructive feedback of each others' stories, plus taking in feedback from Overlandassociate editor Rjurik Davidson. Each day, an established writer also participates in the workshop, and today it was Tony Birch. Tomorrow will be the incomparable … Continue reading Literary heroes
Peace, EWF & 'Helloooo, my name is Number One…'
First of all, happy ANZAC Day. It's great to take some time to think about the young soldiers who have been sacrificed for our country, and the sadness of war - conflict, power, greed. I know that books and films have been beneficial to my knowledge and understanding of war, and of nationalism, patriotism (the genuine, the … Continue reading Peace, EWF & 'Helloooo, my name is Number One…'
Overland 193
Summer 2008, ed. Jeff Sparrow, 9780980534603 Another stimulating issue of a journal that dares to challenge you. By this I don't mean just political stimulation (thought there is plenty of that there) but through non-mainstream points of observation. Overland generally gives you a variety of pieces on topics you may not have even thought of thinking about, if you know what … Continue reading Overland 193
Josephine Rowe, a 'responsive' interview
LM ~ My first notes after I read East of Here, Close to Water - unedited: ‘You. He. She. All the characters so close to memories - sensitive to the way they press upon the present. Glimpses of a moment, rich - here and there. Empathy for a person - a man ‘howling on his doorstep', … Continue reading Josephine Rowe, a 'responsive' interview
Story To… and Random Stuff
I have a wee poem 'Tinsel Dreams (Tram Moment 1)' in the new Story To... zine, which is available in print and as a FREEBIE online. Click on Issue 2: Pod People here. Note that I wrote this poem after going to Varuna. There is a bit of stream-of-consciousness thought ramblings about mentor Peter Bishop, … Continue reading Story To… and Random Stuff
Overland 192
Overland is an Australian literary journal that has been around for over fifty years. It claims to be ‘temper democratic, bias Australian' and is proudly left-leaning. I got my hands on the Spring issue (no. 192) at the Melbourne Writer's Festival and have been devouring the eclectic selection of articles, poetry, stories, and reviews here … Continue reading Overland 192
LiteraryMinded 