Amazing.
The past four days have been an experience that I would love to repeat over and over again. The authors, the discussions, the learning that I have taken on board would have to make this the most interesting subject that I have undertaken at University. Also the versatility of the content. I approached this from the perspective of what I can take into a classroom whereas there were Arts students looking at the course to enhance their craft.
The last day was a wrap up of what we have learnt as well as looking at the research project.
THEN we got to go on a paddleboat.
We were told to look at the trip and write down the verbs and nouns.
The ways that simple objects can be looked at with this in mind is amazing.
A tree for example is a tree. But the tree has bark both light and dark, contrasting due to the clouded sky creating deeper colours. The branches so strong and powerful, holding up to nature until nature decided to fell them and they come crashing down to provide safe harbour for native fish and turtles. The life that is now dead providing more life. The leaves blowing gently in the breeze, making sounds so subtle you need to strain to hear what they are saying.
This is an example of the many things that I focused on during the trip and was a good finish to a wonderful course.
Then we had lunch at The Office which was a good farewell to all that we had met.
Thursday 21 July 2016
Wednesday 20 July 2016
The circle with Sunil Yapa and Nick Gadd
Listening to the stories of the two authors in such a close way was excellent. The way that they interacted and provided feedback on the stories that each of us told was encouraging as it showed that they listened to each of the conversations and responded in a manner we could understand.
The quote of the session was from Rebecca "I am 22 which means I was 21".
The quote of the session was from Rebecca "I am 22 which means I was 21".
Presentations on the final day (for the authors)
This was a good day as we were having a beautiful lunch, in both looks and taste, and we got to present our awards.
The highlight for the session was when Tony accepted his award and rubbed it in the faces of those 'Miles Franklin award winners'.
The afternoon was excellent as we got to see the authors in a much less formal environment.
The highlight for the session was when Tony accepted his award and rubbed it in the faces of those 'Miles Franklin award winners'.
The afternoon was excellent as we got to see the authors in a much less formal environment.
Sunday at the writers festival - David Malouf 17/07/2016
Powerful, enigmatic, stage presence, intelligence, wise, experienced.
These are only some of the words that can be used for David Malouf.
Listening to David is like listening to a football coach preparing you for the big game. You absorb absolutely everything that he says and it resonates with your own experiences. The beginning was about proposed legislation that will strip the copyright from authors 15 years after it has been published where the rest of the world maintains 70 years after the author has died. Why would we try and strip away their livelihood? I think the politicians should listen to David and they would soon change their minds.
The quote of the session was when David reflects on writing his second book. In David's own words "I had written my first book and my last book and now I have to write all the books in-between". The way that he also commented on how you should maintain loyalty to a publisher as it allows a relationship to build, also the perils of taking and advance on a book as it may come back to burn you later on.
A wonderful session by a wise man.
These are only some of the words that can be used for David Malouf.
Listening to David is like listening to a football coach preparing you for the big game. You absorb absolutely everything that he says and it resonates with your own experiences. The beginning was about proposed legislation that will strip the copyright from authors 15 years after it has been published where the rest of the world maintains 70 years after the author has died. Why would we try and strip away their livelihood? I think the politicians should listen to David and they would soon change their minds.
The quote of the session was when David reflects on writing his second book. In David's own words "I had written my first book and my last book and now I have to write all the books in-between". The way that he also commented on how you should maintain loyalty to a publisher as it allows a relationship to build, also the perils of taking and advance on a book as it may come back to burn you later on.
A wonderful session by a wise man.
Saturday sessions - part 2
Sunil Yapa and Tony Birch
After Sunil's session on the Tuesday I could not wait for the next reading from the book and I was left suitably impressed yet again. The passion that he gives the characters as he reads from the book is inspiring and was enough to get me to buy his book (which he signed for me).
Tony was also impressive with his reading and I am glad that he opened with "I thought this was a G rated audience but after Sunil I thought fuck it" and read from his book. Again the power that the authors are able to draw from the characters in the book in their execution whe nreading left me amazed and wanting to know more of what was happening.
When Tony discussed where he draws his characters from "I just googled it printed it off and took it from there" showed that having that physical image to look at can help create the character that you may want for your story.
Nick Gadd and Olga Lorenzo
I was cautios of this session as it was listed as Prose and Poetry in the Uni guide but was a reading and explanation of the authors works. A good read and talk about what they do again.
After Sunil's session on the Tuesday I could not wait for the next reading from the book and I was left suitably impressed yet again. The passion that he gives the characters as he reads from the book is inspiring and was enough to get me to buy his book (which he signed for me).
Tony was also impressive with his reading and I am glad that he opened with "I thought this was a G rated audience but after Sunil I thought fuck it" and read from his book. Again the power that the authors are able to draw from the characters in the book in their execution whe nreading left me amazed and wanting to know more of what was happening.
When Tony discussed where he draws his characters from "I just googled it printed it off and took it from there" showed that having that physical image to look at can help create the character that you may want for your story.
Nick Gadd and Olga Lorenzo
I was cautios of this session as it was listed as Prose and Poetry in the Uni guide but was a reading and explanation of the authors works. A good read and talk about what they do again.
The Saturday sessions - readings from the authors - part 1
David Malouf and Emily Bitto
Both of the authors during the readings used powerful descriptive language, portraying their worlds with such clarity that it was like listening to a movie with all the images being described with a language both powerful and accurate in its use.
Quote of the session went to David Malouf " The most interesting is the most ordinary".
Les Murray
Quote of the session by Les Murray "I love gravy, boy I love gravy". This immediately brought one of our discussions for award to mind and at this point I knew I had to get some gravy for an award for Les as the passion that he used to describe the food both in his poems and then outside of teh works was amazing. When asked why he came back to Mildura for the festival his response was again food related and was "where else can I get a free meal". Les' discussion on writing was also deep as he admitted that he doesn't know what he's thinking when he is writing it and it is only later when he looks at it that it makes sense.
Both of the authors during the readings used powerful descriptive language, portraying their worlds with such clarity that it was like listening to a movie with all the images being described with a language both powerful and accurate in its use.
Quote of the session went to David Malouf " The most interesting is the most ordinary".
Les Murray
Quote of the session by Les Murray "I love gravy, boy I love gravy". This immediately brought one of our discussions for award to mind and at this point I knew I had to get some gravy for an award for Les as the passion that he used to describe the food both in his poems and then outside of teh works was amazing. When asked why he came back to Mildura for the festival his response was again food related and was "where else can I get a free meal". Les' discussion on writing was also deep as he admitted that he doesn't know what he's thinking when he is writing it and it is only later when he looks at it that it makes sense.
Saturday at the writers festival - session 1
The day began slowly but with Jan Owen and Judith Beverage the morning picked up quite quickly.
Not a quote for the session but an observation. Both of the speakers brought mention to the fact that certain rituals must be followed before any writing can commence.
What I took from this session was that translating poems is not as easy as grabbing a translation app. typing in the words and then printing out the results. To maintain the rhyme and meter of teh poem words have to be interpreted to the new language and maybe shuffled to ensure the meaning are being portrayed as the original author wished. As Jan confessed if she had have known it was such a large task when she began she may not have undertaken it, while at the same time admitting that since she had started she persisted until the end.
Overall a good start to the day.
Not a quote for the session but an observation. Both of the speakers brought mention to the fact that certain rituals must be followed before any writing can commence.
What I took from this session was that translating poems is not as easy as grabbing a translation app. typing in the words and then printing out the results. To maintain the rhyme and meter of teh poem words have to be interpreted to the new language and maybe shuffled to ensure the meaning are being portrayed as the original author wished. As Jan confessed if she had have known it was such a large task when she began she may not have undertaken it, while at the same time admitting that since she had started she persisted until the end.
Overall a good start to the day.
David Malouf, Olga Larenzo and Tony Birch
The most endearing part of this session is where Olga quotes David who is sitting less than 2 meters away.
The quote of the session goes to David Malouf " A short story has to focus on a single incident/character. No large gestures. A novel can really create a version of experience or the world of experience with all the contradictions."
This was a powerful piece of advice and when Tony and Olga are hanging off of every word you know that he knows what he is talking about. This is also where the 'aha' award came up as during the conversation Tony was explaining something but not quite nailing it when Davis adds to what he says and you could see the light bulb switch on and Tony nearly jumping out of his chair and saying "That's it". From a literary viewpoint listening to these three authors was one of the most in-depth moments. The way they discussed the craft and reinforced what the others were saying was amazing. The session also showed that the longer you do something the wiser you can get as what Olga and Tony talked about was good but when David added his experience the clarity was there almost immediately.
The quote of the session goes to David Malouf " A short story has to focus on a single incident/character. No large gestures. A novel can really create a version of experience or the world of experience with all the contradictions."
This was a powerful piece of advice and when Tony and Olga are hanging off of every word you know that he knows what he is talking about. This is also where the 'aha' award came up as during the conversation Tony was explaining something but not quite nailing it when Davis adds to what he says and you could see the light bulb switch on and Tony nearly jumping out of his chair and saying "That's it". From a literary viewpoint listening to these three authors was one of the most in-depth moments. The way they discussed the craft and reinforced what the others were saying was amazing. The session also showed that the longer you do something the wiser you can get as what Olga and Tony talked about was good but when David added his experience the clarity was there almost immediately.
Jan Owen, Les Murray and Judith Beverage
I never thought much of poetry. But after listening to the musings of Jan Owen and Les Murray I have a renewed appreciation for the art.
Quote of the session had to have been from Les Murray when he confessed to once writing a poem that came from a pork sandwich. Also that poems can be born from anything. A teapot, a glass of wine as well as inspiration from other artists.
As the winner of the perversity award Les Murray summed it up the best himself when he told the audience to admire the things like perversity. A snippet of the example he gave was that when you are typing away at the keyboard and you accidentally hit the wrong button and porn pops up. There were many small insight that both of the writers came out with and both made so much sense.
Quote of the session had to have been from Les Murray when he confessed to once writing a poem that came from a pork sandwich. Also that poems can be born from anything. A teapot, a glass of wine as well as inspiration from other artists.
As the winner of the perversity award Les Murray summed it up the best himself when he told the audience to admire the things like perversity. A snippet of the example he gave was that when you are typing away at the keyboard and you accidentally hit the wrong button and porn pops up. There were many small insight that both of the writers came out with and both made so much sense.
Friday 15/07/2016 Emily Bitto
The quote of the session
"Artists need to find a way to make themselves look interesting" Emily Bitto
The book 'The Strays' by Emily Bitto was discussed with many descriptive terms used to explain the book.
Opposing forces, creation, destruction, good mum / bad mum. Along with an attention that drives the characters in the story with sometimes catastrophic results. The points that stood out for me from the talk was that Emily with her PhD in creative writing found it difficult to switch between her academic writing and her creative writing. This theme was also talked about by many of the authors through the sessions where during the high school years and into University the creativity seemed to be constrained by the work that is required within the school setting.
Another aspect of the talk was that one of her writings was cut from 90,000 to 75,000 words. This is either a lot of detail or a lot of fluff and taking so much out would be difficult as removing the wrong piece could be detrimental to the work. The skill that must be involved when putting on the editors hat must be something that has to be trained long and hard.
All up not a bad session and the free dessert from Stefano de Pieri was also welcome.
"Artists need to find a way to make themselves look interesting" Emily Bitto
The book 'The Strays' by Emily Bitto was discussed with many descriptive terms used to explain the book.
Opposing forces, creation, destruction, good mum / bad mum. Along with an attention that drives the characters in the story with sometimes catastrophic results. The points that stood out for me from the talk was that Emily with her PhD in creative writing found it difficult to switch between her academic writing and her creative writing. This theme was also talked about by many of the authors through the sessions where during the high school years and into University the creativity seemed to be constrained by the work that is required within the school setting.
Another aspect of the talk was that one of her writings was cut from 90,000 to 75,000 words. This is either a lot of detail or a lot of fluff and taking so much out would be difficult as removing the wrong piece could be detrimental to the work. The skill that must be involved when putting on the editors hat must be something that has to be trained long and hard.
All up not a bad session and the free dessert from Stefano de Pieri was also welcome.
Friday Morning - 15/07/2016 - Psychogeography
Nick Gadd: Tuning into the psychogeography of Mildura
This was an interesting turn for learning about writing. As the walk commenced and we were introduced to the back alleys of Mildura, the town that I have lived in for 30 years. I was introduced to a new and exciting way at looking at objects, signs, no parking warnings and remnants of signs from the towns past. A history that showcased an old telephone number with only 3 digits, signs over 100 years old, former businesses that had either moved or closed down exposing the changing times in what has been left behind.
Although I have seen the signs many times and walked past them many more I had never LOOKED at them and pondered their deeper meaning and what they stand for. The Murray Valley Citrus signs were a clear indication of this as I worked at First Choice a few years ago and looked at the signs many times per week without ever appreciating the work that went into and the meanings behind the writing.
My introduction to this form of looking at things was yet another example of just taking a step back from the rush of daily life and appreciate what we have and what these things may represent.
This was an interesting turn for learning about writing. As the walk commenced and we were introduced to the back alleys of Mildura, the town that I have lived in for 30 years. I was introduced to a new and exciting way at looking at objects, signs, no parking warnings and remnants of signs from the towns past. A history that showcased an old telephone number with only 3 digits, signs over 100 years old, former businesses that had either moved or closed down exposing the changing times in what has been left behind.
Although I have seen the signs many times and walked past them many more I had never LOOKED at them and pondered their deeper meaning and what they stand for. The Murray Valley Citrus signs were a clear indication of this as I worked at First Choice a few years ago and looked at the signs many times per week without ever appreciating the work that went into and the meanings behind the writing.
My introduction to this form of looking at things was yet another example of just taking a step back from the rush of daily life and appreciate what we have and what these things may represent.
Thursday Night 14/07/2016
Wow.
I went to the night expecting some boring book people talking about books. How wrong I was. The level of conversation from both the authors and the fellow students from the class enhanced my view of what to expect from the next couple of days.
First impressions however. The wood fire smouldering in the room with mallee stumps used for that touch of real world charm and local connection. Glasses of red wine were being held by many of the patrons and it seemed like a very good idea (however I did not partake).
The book of the night was Your heart is a muscle the size of a fist by Sunil Yapa. As Richard Denniss pointed out in his introduction "It looked like a chick read and I thought that is what it would be about, but how wrong I was".
When Sunil Yapa read a piece from the beginning of the book I was entranced immediately with the power and the emotions that were being portrayed. The protestors, police, delegates, police chief, the hippy son - estranged. I can't wait to read the book and learn more about the characters and where it will lead.
The discussion began with a talk from Richard about how Government and Business use language to try and confuse normal people. The markets - we need to be scared of the markets. But who are the markets. The rich people and corporations and if that is the case we don't care and the markets can do what they want.....
The most powerful image that I took from the night was the militarisation of the police. The fact that they get surplus military equipment and also the fact that community policing has gone out the window and is non-existent. This made me think about the wider world and if this is happening in the land of the free and the home of the brave how long before this happens in Australia?
That is the first day down and only four days left.
I went to the night expecting some boring book people talking about books. How wrong I was. The level of conversation from both the authors and the fellow students from the class enhanced my view of what to expect from the next couple of days.
First impressions however. The wood fire smouldering in the room with mallee stumps used for that touch of real world charm and local connection. Glasses of red wine were being held by many of the patrons and it seemed like a very good idea (however I did not partake).
The book of the night was Your heart is a muscle the size of a fist by Sunil Yapa. As Richard Denniss pointed out in his introduction "It looked like a chick read and I thought that is what it would be about, but how wrong I was".
When Sunil Yapa read a piece from the beginning of the book I was entranced immediately with the power and the emotions that were being portrayed. The protestors, police, delegates, police chief, the hippy son - estranged. I can't wait to read the book and learn more about the characters and where it will lead.
The discussion began with a talk from Richard about how Government and Business use language to try and confuse normal people. The markets - we need to be scared of the markets. But who are the markets. The rich people and corporations and if that is the case we don't care and the markets can do what they want.....
The most powerful image that I took from the night was the militarisation of the police. The fact that they get surplus military equipment and also the fact that community policing has gone out the window and is non-existent. This made me think about the wider world and if this is happening in the land of the free and the home of the brave how long before this happens in Australia?
That is the first day down and only four days left.
Tuesday 19 July 2016
Person in Action
Continuing with the exercises that helped to motivate the mind the class moved onto an exercise in person and actions.
To begin we had to write some parts of a person and the actions and then actions that can be attributed to these aspects.
I chose to do my piece on an arthritic person, strong and independent, yet aging and frail due to the disease racking their body.
Slowly walking to the cupboard, on legs that don't work as they once did, with feet that are gnarled slightly from years of hard work on hard, cold to the point of being almost icy, floors. Reaching the cupboard after what seemed like a trek from one side of the town to another, yet still in the kitchen of the tiny home she occupied, she reaches out, wincing slightly as the elbow locks ever so suddenly before releasing with the same speed and ferociousness that it had came, to allow movement once more. As the rheumatic hand grasps the ornately carved handle of the cupboard a tear runs down her face. The cupboard, now open, reveals jars with seemingly impenetrable lids, tightened by machines so tightly that it is a wonder that anyone could open them, at this point that one solitary tear turns to many.
The former army nurse who had endured many conflicts in places to numerous to mention was now being defeated by an invisible enemy, slowly, slowly and painfully. The arthritis had started slowly effecting only her hip and bringing the occasional wince, especially on the cold winter days, when the cool wind would blow and the mornings would start with the grass covered in ice. Now many years later the simplest of tasks have now turned into her own personal war, a series of pitched battles to complete tasks and make it through the day.Opening jars would now be the most difficult of tasks to complete. The gnarled hands that are weak, connecting to fingers that are now thin and wiry, bent at angles that cause problems even for the most simple tasks such as turning knobs, grasping handles and the most painful of all the opening of jars.
As the now shaking, trembling, frail hands grasp the jar, pain shoots from the wrist, up the arm, past the elbow and like lightning through the shoulder. Bracing the jar tentatively the formely sturdy nurse shakes from top to toe in preparation of the difficult task ahead of the twisting action that will cause pain indescribable to all except those that are in the know. The action of opening the jar to spread jam on the toast. The knuckles white and bony as the pressure builds, slipping slightly as the moisture from the sweat interferes with the grip before it gives, almost effortlessly. Now after this battle has been fought and won she can sit down with her toast and enjoy the day ahead with many more battles on the way, but battles that have been fought and won many times over.
To begin we had to write some parts of a person and the actions and then actions that can be attributed to these aspects.
I chose to do my piece on an arthritic person, strong and independent, yet aging and frail due to the disease racking their body.
Slowly walking to the cupboard, on legs that don't work as they once did, with feet that are gnarled slightly from years of hard work on hard, cold to the point of being almost icy, floors. Reaching the cupboard after what seemed like a trek from one side of the town to another, yet still in the kitchen of the tiny home she occupied, she reaches out, wincing slightly as the elbow locks ever so suddenly before releasing with the same speed and ferociousness that it had came, to allow movement once more. As the rheumatic hand grasps the ornately carved handle of the cupboard a tear runs down her face. The cupboard, now open, reveals jars with seemingly impenetrable lids, tightened by machines so tightly that it is a wonder that anyone could open them, at this point that one solitary tear turns to many.
The former army nurse who had endured many conflicts in places to numerous to mention was now being defeated by an invisible enemy, slowly, slowly and painfully. The arthritis had started slowly effecting only her hip and bringing the occasional wince, especially on the cold winter days, when the cool wind would blow and the mornings would start with the grass covered in ice. Now many years later the simplest of tasks have now turned into her own personal war, a series of pitched battles to complete tasks and make it through the day.Opening jars would now be the most difficult of tasks to complete. The gnarled hands that are weak, connecting to fingers that are now thin and wiry, bent at angles that cause problems even for the most simple tasks such as turning knobs, grasping handles and the most painful of all the opening of jars.
As the now shaking, trembling, frail hands grasp the jar, pain shoots from the wrist, up the arm, past the elbow and like lightning through the shoulder. Bracing the jar tentatively the formely sturdy nurse shakes from top to toe in preparation of the difficult task ahead of the twisting action that will cause pain indescribable to all except those that are in the know. The action of opening the jar to spread jam on the toast. The knuckles white and bony as the pressure builds, slipping slightly as the moisture from the sweat interferes with the grip before it gives, almost effortlessly. Now after this battle has been fought and won she can sit down with her toast and enjoy the day ahead with many more battles on the way, but battles that have been fought and won many times over.
Looking at the senses - 14/07/2016 Art Visit
Getting out of the classroom we were able to look at some art pieces located a short walk away. Art, being very subjective, was on display and we had to choose a piece and think of the senses that were triggered when identifying with a selected piece.
I chose the dolls head on the four legs. I believe this is because of my love for the horror genre when it comes to movies and books.
Sight
It looks like a dolls head. a Chucky doll, that has been attached to a four legged spidery type mechanical device.
It looks like a blend between flesh and machine.
It looks like a nightmare come to life.
Touch
Human flesh, soft, supple, baby like. the feeling of innocence.
Exposed brain, the touch sending off warning signs that something is not right, a darkness. That something that gives you a squirmy feeling.
I can feel the metal, cold, hard, immovable, unrelenting, strong and forceful.
Smell
I smell rotting flesh, blood, death as well as a blend of talcum powder and baby oil.
I can smell the metal, oil - that is used to lubricate machines - a sharpness to it.
Taste
I can taste death, A hint of blood mixed with a cold metallic taste with a hint of the lubricating oil. That metallic taste that you get after an injection (sometimes) that tells your mind one thing but you know that it is not there and you fight the sensation.
Sound
I can hear the flesh move as the metallic legs clatter on the floor, sharp, deliberate sounds, a sense of purpose and foreboding with the echo that it creates.
I can hear the sound of a small machine as it moves, the low hum of a motor that could be background noise, but as it gets closer the humming intensifies, getting faster, causing the hairs to stand on end, the sound being deep it is hard to distinguish its origin.
I chose the dolls head on the four legs. I believe this is because of my love for the horror genre when it comes to movies and books.
Sight
It looks like a dolls head. a Chucky doll, that has been attached to a four legged spidery type mechanical device.
It looks like a blend between flesh and machine.
It looks like a nightmare come to life.
Touch
Human flesh, soft, supple, baby like. the feeling of innocence.
Exposed brain, the touch sending off warning signs that something is not right, a darkness. That something that gives you a squirmy feeling.
I can feel the metal, cold, hard, immovable, unrelenting, strong and forceful.
Smell
I smell rotting flesh, blood, death as well as a blend of talcum powder and baby oil.
I can smell the metal, oil - that is used to lubricate machines - a sharpness to it.
Taste
I can taste death, A hint of blood mixed with a cold metallic taste with a hint of the lubricating oil. That metallic taste that you get after an injection (sometimes) that tells your mind one thing but you know that it is not there and you fight the sensation.
Sound
I can hear the flesh move as the metallic legs clatter on the floor, sharp, deliberate sounds, a sense of purpose and foreboding with the echo that it creates.
I can hear the sound of a small machine as it moves, the low hum of a motor that could be background noise, but as it gets closer the humming intensifies, getting faster, causing the hairs to stand on end, the sound being deep it is hard to distinguish its origin.
Poem number Two - Mood poem - descriptive
Being given another poem so soon after the first was both a blessing and a curse. The mind was now switched on and flowing with the creative thought processes that are generally locked away when studying. The first day of the Writers in Action course has woken my mind to the fun and creativity that can be had when looking at books and thinking about how words can capture moments in time if you write them down.
The two poems that I wrote about the moods that I was experiencing.
I am happy
I am not happy that my alarm woke me with my favorite song
I am not happy that I had a good breakfast and a nice coffee
I am not happy that I had to come to University and be involved with an interesting course
I am happy that I got to wake up next to my beautiful wife
I am happy that I was able to make my children breakfast and share conversation
I am happy that I am surrounded by interesting and smart people that want to learn
I am happy that I can study.
I am tired
I am not tired because I have had surgery to put two stents in recently
I am not tired because I spent all of yesterday doing housework
I am not tired because I watched to much T.V. last night
I am tired because I stayed up listening to my children read
I am tired because I stayed up that little bit later to watch a show with my wife
I am tired because I woke early to get fresh bread from the bakery to make sandwiches
I am tired but not overly so.
The two poems that I wrote about the moods that I was experiencing.
I am happy
I am not happy that my alarm woke me with my favorite song
I am not happy that I had a good breakfast and a nice coffee
I am not happy that I had to come to University and be involved with an interesting course
I am happy that I got to wake up next to my beautiful wife
I am happy that I was able to make my children breakfast and share conversation
I am happy that I am surrounded by interesting and smart people that want to learn
I am happy that I can study.
I am tired
I am not tired because I have had surgery to put two stents in recently
I am not tired because I spent all of yesterday doing housework
I am not tired because I watched to much T.V. last night
I am tired because I stayed up listening to my children read
I am tired because I stayed up that little bit later to watch a show with my wife
I am tired because I woke early to get fresh bread from the bakery to make sandwiches
I am tired but not overly so.
Poem - The first in 20(ish) years :) 14/07/2016
During the session we were asked to write a poem with the only defining features being that they had to have
In the beginning
and I don't know why
and then we had to think for ourselves.
So here we go
In the beginning there was one,
this was followed by another two,
but soon they came by the three,
until that time when another four
arrived, finally as the time ran low five
more came and the class was a go.
I don't know why we followed the numbers,
was it luck or was it composed
to come in numbers, one, two three followed closely by the four and five
the class was quiet but debate soon raged,
are we but numbers set on a page,
let's not all moan or rage.
The final words are not set,
Should I use one or two or three
but follow the set. Use four and
five to keep the stanza alive
We are now done, the stanza is done
Let us go and have some fun
I would probably need to spend a bit more time editing this to get the flow that I am looking for, but as my first poem in quite a while I think I have a good start to work with.
In the beginning
and I don't know why
and then we had to think for ourselves.
So here we go
In the beginning there was one,
this was followed by another two,
but soon they came by the three,
until that time when another four
arrived, finally as the time ran low five
more came and the class was a go.
I don't know why we followed the numbers,
was it luck or was it composed
to come in numbers, one, two three followed closely by the four and five
the class was quiet but debate soon raged,
are we but numbers set on a page,
let's not all moan or rage.
The final words are not set,
Should I use one or two or three
but follow the set. Use four and
five to keep the stanza alive
We are now done, the stanza is done
Let us go and have some fun
I would probably need to spend a bit more time editing this to get the flow that I am looking for, but as my first poem in quite a while I think I have a good start to work with.
Monday 18 July 2016
Day 1 - What does a writer do?
The opening questions seem quite simplistic -
1. What does a writer do?
2. Why is writing important?
3. What makes good writing?
After smashing out the first couple of ideas write, inspire, be creative, publish, communicate the ideas came to a crashing halt. What else do they do? ponder...... persuade........... convey knowledge... debate?
When the class all sat down and shared their ideas the composition of the work they do just kept expanding until all these ideas came to fruition. A much larger selection of ideas than one person could imagine with the time we had to draft our concepts.
1. What does a writer do?
2. Why is writing important?
3. What makes good writing?
After smashing out the first couple of ideas write, inspire, be creative, publish, communicate the ideas came to a crashing halt. What else do they do? ponder...... persuade........... convey knowledge... debate?
When the class all sat down and shared their ideas the composition of the work they do just kept expanding until all these ideas came to fruition. A much larger selection of ideas than one person could imagine with the time we had to draft our concepts.
The first day 14/7/2016 - Expectations
The first day of the course I was not expecting to learn to much. How wrong was I. From a course that I was doing to gain a Minor in English for my Education Degree to a subject that would open both my eyes and mind to the inner working of the writer.
Having a lecturer open with the expectations and what we have to do for assignments was great as some lecturers do not like to give out this information to early in the piece. I think there is a fear that we, as students, will not turn up for class and focus on getting good marks for our assessment pieces......
Introductions are now complete with what we need to do and on to our first session.
Having a lecturer open with the expectations and what we have to do for assignments was great as some lecturers do not like to give out this information to early in the piece. I think there is a fear that we, as students, will not turn up for class and focus on getting good marks for our assessment pieces......
Introductions are now complete with what we need to do and on to our first session.
Thursday 14 July 2016
Sunil Yapa and Richard Dennis
Last night, 14/07/16, was an interesting night at the Mildura club listening to the musings and discussions of Sunil Yapa and Richard Dennis. The Mildura Club was a wonderful location with its old world charm, wood fire with mallee stumps burning away and red wine being consumed by the patrons.
The conversation started with how Sunil had started two books only to have the ideas quashed and sending him back to the keyboard to start again.
the quote of the night was from Sunil when saying 'You don't need a gun to start a revolution'
followed by Richard saying 'did you hear that, an American saying you don;t need a gun'. this brought laughter from teh audience.
The power that was being discussed as an author was highlighted when he hoped that he could empower people to do more than just listen and to be involved. The material rich society that comes at such a high cost was also brought to the for and the needs of government and those in power to recognise the pain their decisions bring to the people that it affects.
One of the other stand out comments that resonated was that the American police force had become militarised and that community policing had all but disappeared. A reflection maybe on the cost of freedom in a post 9/11 world?
The conversation started with how Sunil had started two books only to have the ideas quashed and sending him back to the keyboard to start again.
the quote of the night was from Sunil when saying 'You don't need a gun to start a revolution'
followed by Richard saying 'did you hear that, an American saying you don;t need a gun'. this brought laughter from teh audience.
The power that was being discussed as an author was highlighted when he hoped that he could empower people to do more than just listen and to be involved. The material rich society that comes at such a high cost was also brought to the for and the needs of government and those in power to recognise the pain their decisions bring to the people that it affects.
One of the other stand out comments that resonated was that the American police force had become militarised and that community policing had all but disappeared. A reflection maybe on the cost of freedom in a post 9/11 world?
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