Illumination at the Bendigo Writers Festival

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”

I came to the Bendigo Writers Festival, with the dulled and cynical eyes of a 47 year old emerging writer and artist but this quote written in the Minpins by Roald Dahl, shows that magic can be found in the words and conversations that have taken place at the Bendigo Writers Festival. Sue asks, “What is a festival,” and I can say now that for some, it is magic that can create changes in the lives of the aspiring writer. It shows you hidden pathways into publication. It gives you friends that you can share your words with on places such as Facebook and Blogger. If you listen hard, you can pick up clues about how to apply “bum glue” to just get on with the act of writing or how to glean ideas.

Also fascinating, was the enthusiasm of youth-our WIA students that were electrified by the festival that they want to prolong the experience by creating writing groups, sharing photos and blogs in a larger  forum such as Facebook and newspapers.

“My candle burns at both ends it will not last the night but ah my friends and oh my foes it gives a lovely light” (motto of Roald Dahl)

This quote could easily refer to the Bendigo Writers Festival and the lovely light that it has shed upon us. Thanks for the opportunity.

The morning of the Writers Festival

On Wombats: Vombatus ursinus

Dear Mr Whatley,

Let's talk wombats...
My wombat can out-dig a person on a shovel
but your wombat sleeps
My wombat can run at 42 kilometres an hour
but your wombat sleeps
My wombat lives in burrows that  covers an area of 30 metres
which is an awful lot of digging
but your wombat sleeps
My wombat can run 100 metres in 10 seconds
but your wombat sleeps
My wombat has a backward facing pouch and cubed poo
but your wombat sleeps
My wombat claws and bites and charge
so......
I think I prefer your wombat

Kathryn

Web banner in the making...

Sessions SATURDAY

Be the Press with Sue Gillett, Anson Cameron-Novelist/Journalist,
Erica Hayes-Romance, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy and Anna George-Crime based Fiction.

Once again, a very witty session. These writers varied in the time taken for producing work but all generally used the morning to do their most important daily activity of writing. Erica's novel took 12 years to complete while Anson's novel, 2 years. Anson stated that you have to be writing for an hour before some good stuff is produced. He also praised the work of editors as bringing a clear eye to the project while writer's eyes tend to become muddied. He also claimed to be an indolent man so of course, he uses his life experience. A friend complained: "Shit, you wouldn't want to leave your bedroom window open." All the authors were currently working at their writing full time except Erica has young children which is a job in itself. Anna said it was a long journey to get confidence in herself as a writer. Sue asked, who sets the festival agenda and Anson replied "Rosemary Sorensen" but later declared that Festivals seem to borrow from each other. As I was leaving, I heard them say to each other that they enjoyed that session, that it was fun-so I guess Be the Press was a success for them as well as us.


Where Horror Comes From-Keith Austin, Keri Arthur and Sean Williams
This session had a lot of discussion about why we write horror and how it helps us cope with our fears. This was interesting as all the authors seem to revel in fears but in real life did not like scary situations that they could not control, such as roller coasters. Keith said he knew James Herbert-author of the The Fog-as his family used to sell vegetables in East End London. James got the idea for the Rats, watching rats eat garbage in the lane ways. They all declared that mostly there are no happy endings in horror, you always leave a door open somewhere.


Consult an Expert: Kate Larsen-Poet, Writer, Writers Victoria, Malcolm-editor for Seizure, comic publication and bookseller, David-Publisher
This session provided an excellent chance to ask some nuts and bolts questions. I asked that as an illustrator, is a webpage necessary and the answer was a resounding yes. Guess what I will be doing this year? The general message was get networking, create an writer's profile, enter competitions and submit work to journals. There was much discussion about self publishing and a belief that it is becoming a more viable option.

Color of Gold-Sasha Grishin-the Life of St Gill.
This man could talk. He told us that Gill was Australia's leading artists at one time and his current catalogue stands at 3000 pieces of art. Sasha told a bit of what drew him to researching Gill. His parents escaped the Nazi regime and move to Stawell. His father told him how Gill died on the steps of  the GPO in Melbourne which set off questions for young Sasha. Gill's work displays his respect of Aboriginal culture and also was one of the first to display the important role of women on the goldfields. He was an expert at drawing dogs and horses and his work contains much humour. He also has art displaying the first Chinese takeaways on the Goldfields where miners got hot food in metal canisters. Enjoyed the detail given in this talk and it makes me want to check out the Gill work in our local Art gallery as well as the exhibition being displayed in the Victorian State Library.

Save the Tarkine: Bob Brown.

Save the Tarkine campaign: http://www.tarkine.org/

Sessions FRIDAY

Friday


Welcome and Opening Session
Hosts-Sarah Mayor Cox and Sue Gillett
Fun packed with an imaginative format that made the
session accessible for kids and gave the opportunity for
authors to share both fun and informative stories.-Excellent
ps. Loved Adam's t-shirt: I'm sorry for what I said when I was hungry.


The Life and Left Hand of Dr Whatley:
Really enjoyed the ideas that Bruce shared about what happens when artists
switch hands-precision for the right hand and emotional depiction using the left.
As an artist, that has energised me and made me want to research the idea further.
Also, loved his personal story.


Fringe Festival: Heather Lorraine Blakey-Travels with a Donkey.
This session did not have as much writing as I wanted but
 I did enjoy some of the story swapping.
The main thing I got out of it was the concept of collecting fragments to get
stories started. She used the text, "Women who run with Wolves," which I
have read before and not found I was not really able to apply the concepts listed
despite liking the fairy tale narratives.


Exhibition Launch: Bruce Whatley
I loved this exhibition except for the one small detail; that the mediums used
were not listed with the titles. I was able to talk more with Bruce about his PhD topic
on the brain-very exciting field. I loved the splashy affect on his flood illustration.
His left hand painting conveyed so much mood and emotion. I was interested when talking to
people that most people found the fire painting resonated most.


Hope for the Good Life-Bob Brown
Not much hope shared but it was strangely energising-fighting in the face of huge obstacles.
Bob's promoted his book and his personal charities-Saving the Tarkine and Sea Shepherd.
Having recently just been to Japan and seeing the sale of whale meat at the market, I found
the bravery of that boat wedging itself between a refuel tanker and a Japanese whaling ship inspiring.
He also talked about depression. He subscribes to a common democracy and that the prescription for great cruelty, is a world of haves and have nots. He told us the perks that big corporations get, make Bronwyn Bishop's transport of choice looks like joy ride.