Dubbo Writers' Festival 8-10 September
Wow, what a weekend! The little festival that could! I learned so much from the author showcase that allowed me to sell my books, attending two skills development workshops, an "in conversation" event featuring popular fiction author Candice Fox, and sitting in on a submission-readiness through a "submissions spur" session.
I came away brimming with enthusiasm to carry on, keep writing, and keep connecting with other writers. I can't wait for next year! Thank you, Dubbo Writers' Festival and to the Outback Writers' Centre for the hard work of putting the festival on. |
Book launchesI was thrilled to attend the launch of "Found", the second novel in a trilogy by Dubbo author Val Clark, on September 2, 2023.
Congratulations, Val! On September 4, I attended the launch of my neighbour Geoff Smith's new book "Australian Bush Poetry" in Narromine. There are some wonderfully evocative poems in this collection. Well done, Geoff! |
Writerly Catch Up
During a whirlwind trip to Brisbane in late August, I managed to catch up with my critique group in person. Usually our catch ups are done over FaceTime, so it was a fantastic opportunity to meet in person while I was in town.
Roseanne Smiles is an award-winning romance novelist and Michaela Sanderson is an award-winning writer of short stories and aspiring young adult novelist. We have known each other for more than two decades. Writing can be such a lonely task so it's great to be among others plying their craft as I am, and working hard on new projects. We took the time to review our goals set earlier in the year in our special notebooks bought just for that purpose, and set new ones for the remainder of the year. We all agreed that we needed to focus more on our personal health and well-being. As wives and mums and grandmas, we give so much of ourselves to supporting those we love. Sometimes this takes more from us than we know. Self-care is high on our priority lists as we continue to write and pursue publication. |
Playwriting Workshop in Dubbo!Continuing my skills development journey, I attended Stagecraft in a Flash: crafting the 10 Minute Play, hosted by author Val Clark in Dubbo on August 12.
I want to take my story The Blink-off and transform it into a play that could be performed in schools. The feedback from Val and the other attendees was invaluable. I realised my four-person story isn't going to work in its current form and I will have to "go big" and re-work the story into something that will fit the medium - the stage. What a learning curve! Another creative project to pursue! It's good to be busy |
Western Plains App Article:
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Screenwriting Workshop!My daughter Ainsleigh, an animation major at Griffith University, and I attended a screenwriting workshop held by Kellie Jennar from Dubbo Filmmakers in Dubbo on June 17, 2023.
I’m attempting to turn my children’s early reader “The Blink-off” into a screenplay. I’ve never done screenwriting before and it’s a completely different way of writing. The free software I’m using (Highland 2) makes the task of formatting so much easier! I could get used to this! Thank you, Kellie, for a great workshop. |
Volunteering: Dubbo Writers' FestivalI'm very excited and privileged to be volunteering with the committee organising the Dubbo Writers' Festival.
Using my journalism skills, I'm providing public relations and promotion support to the committee, helping spread the word about the festival and it's wonderful range of industry professionals, speakers and events. Are you coming to the DWF? |
Contact!I've taken on the development of "Contact", the newsletter of the St Andrews' Uniting Church, Narromine.
Currently published twice a year, I'm looking at making this a quarterly publication to help keep the church family better informed about activities of importance to the congregation and local community. |
JournalistIn my spare time I am a freelance journalist, bringing you news and feature stories from central west NSW.
You can see my occasional contributions in the Western Plains App, the Narromine Star and Dubbo Photo News. |