Hello again everyone!
It doesn't feel as if a month has passed since my last newsletter, but that's what the calendar says. It's now December, the first day of Summer, and the beginning of the mad dash to Christmas and the end of 2016.
I'm getting ahead of myself, though, because I haven't yet told you what I got up to in November:
2016 TAG Hungerford Award
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On November 3rd, about 400 people gathered in the grounds of the historic Fremantle Arts Centre for Fremantle Press' 40th birthday celebrations and the announcement of the winner of the 2016 Hungerford Award. As most of you probably know, I was shortlisted for this award in 2014, so it was enjoyable to attend as a regular guest, and without the accompanying shortlistee nervousness.
The winner was Jay Martin, for her memoir, 'Learning Polish'. You can read more about the celebrations, and about Jay, here.
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With writer friends (L-R): Maureen Eppen, Michele Nugent, Me, Teena Raffa-Mulligan
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Writing the Dream Book Launch
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This book of essays about the writing dream was launched by Maureen Eppen at the Centre for Stories on November 18. It features the work of 24 authors, including Natasha Lester, Tess Woods, Sara Foster, Anna Jacobs, Juliet Marillier, and myself. Although it's barely been out in the world, the first print run has already sold out!
I've nearly finished reading it through from beginning to end, and all of the essays, without exception, are inspiring and informative. I'm reluctant to single any out because they're all so different—and because I haven't quite finished reading them yet!
You don't have to be a writer to appreciate these stories because they apply to anyone pursuing a passion or dream.
You can purchase a copy of 'Writing the Dream' here.
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MEANWHILE IN THE ATTIC ...
I've been continuing my 'Writers in the Attic' series:
- Gill Kenny wrote a letter to her 22-year-old self;
- Gulara Vincent wrote about finding her father's family and how writing helped her process the past;
- Teena Raffa-Mulligan wrote about ageing and finding the time to write; and,
- Helen Jones wrote about the joy, and hard work, of self-publishing.
In December, I have more thought-provoking essays coming up: from artist and writer, Threasa Meads; journalist and fiction writer, Maureen Eppen; and novelist, Lily Malone.
So, keep your eye out for these courageous women as they talk about what writing means to them and how they make time for their passion.
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The Story Behind the Story
In the lead-up to publication of my novel, I've started a series about the inspiration behind my book. The first installment is a piece about my grandfather. Although he died in 1972, just before I turned six, I still remember him vividly and fondly. So fondly that he inspired one of the characters in my novel—I even gave him the same name.
So, click here, if you'd like to read this piece. |
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I've been so busy this past month that I haven't read as much as I would have liked, so I'll talk about the novel our book group read in October: Rashida Murphy's, ' The Historian's Daughter'.
This book is a lyrical and sensory experience, right from the first line, 'This is not the story he wanted me to tell'.
The tale begins in India, in a big house full of women and a few strays, and which is ruled by an ignorant, fearful man who needs to feel powerful.
The writing is simple and evocative, and the story is complex and rich, touching on women's issues, feelings of dislocation in a new country, and the bonds of family—good people who do bad things, and bad people who do good sometimes. I loved it!
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FROM THE INTERNET:
Overnight Success and Other Fables:
This article is one of the best articles I've ever, ever read. (I really mean that.) We all know there is no such thing as an 'overnight success', and this story by Caroline Leavitt is proof.
Her message at the end, 'Don’t ever ever give up', is my own personal mantra. On Coping With Feedback:
Feedback can be hard to listen to—I brace myself each time I'm about to hear some—but it's necessary in order to improve. Every single published author I know has not only listened to feedback, but has been open to it and incorporated it when revising. The ability to listen to feedback and take it on board can mean the difference between being published or not, so this article, with four steps on how to cope better when receiving feedback, might have something useful if you're finding it hard. |
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Did you know you can get your computer to read your work out to you? I didn't, until my kids showed me! This feature is now one of my favourite tools, and I use it often after editing to hear what my sentences sound like. It's even better than reading it out loud to yourself, because the computer can't correct typos. It also picks up mistakes our eyes skim over.
I don't know how to do it on a Windows-based computer (I believe Word has the facility), but on my Mac, I go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Speech. I then choose the voice and accent I want—there are many to choose from. Australian-accented 'Karen' is a bit harsh on the ears, but English-accented 'Kate' is nice. You then choose the speed at which the voice reads, select the text you'd like to hear read aloud, press Option+Esc, and off it goes.
It's like listening to an audiobook of your work, and it's quite a thrill, actually. I found it especially useful for picking up repeated or omitted words, spelling errors, and overwritten passages. I couldn't recommend it more highly!
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PODCAST
I love podcasts—in fact, I've become quite addicted. I listen to them when walking the dogs, hanging out the washing, vacuuming, making the beds, and even when preparing dinner.
This month, I listened to Sarah Kanowsky interview Tim Winton at the Brisbane Writers Festival on ABC RN. It's worth a listen to hear some of the moving stories from Tim's essay collection, 'The Boy Behind the Curtain'.
It's also where I heard the quote below. Tim Winton was talking about a man who used to come daily to their house to help bathe his father after he'd had a horrific accident. He wasn't paid and expected nothing in return—he came only to help.
The words really spoke to me:
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'I had witnessed love with its sleeves rolled up.'
Tim Winton
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GIVEAWAY WINNER
The winner of the reading journal is: Katie Barritt. Thanks for subscribing, Katie, and I'll message you to find out where to send the book.
Remember that all subscribers to this newsletter are in the running for my monthly giveaway. December's gift is a literary recipe book, called 'A Literary Feast'! It has recipes inspired by novels, poems, and plays. I've glanced through it, and there are recipes from Anna Karenina to Chocolat, from the Odyssey to The Time Traveller's Wife.
If you're reading this and haven't yet subscribed, sign up if you'd like to cook a literary feast!
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That's it for this month. I hope December doesn't get too frantic and chaotic, and that you still find time for some reading and writing.
Louise x
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