Tag Archives: Writers

Words Out West

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On the 13th March I had the delight of attending the second Words Out West event in Dalby, Queensland. Dalby is only a three hour highway drive from Brisbane and festival events this year occurred over the 11–14 March 2021, including formal speaker sessions, a writing retreat at Jimbour House, in school author visits and other community events throughout the region, catering for both readers and writers. There was also a bookstore set up in the library so you could purchase a copy of your favourite author’s work, and even have it signed.

Words-Out-West-2021-collage ©2020 Western Downs Regional Council

Country town engagement is something I’d highly advocate experiencing and Western-Downs pre-Easter weather is pretty much perfect year-to-year. (I could be slightly biased, but hey, it’s true. 😉) From crime to culture, serious conversations to side-splitting humour, the guest authors were engaging, PG-level family friendly (with the exception of a certain book cover, Mr Earls …😱😳🙈) and professional.

I enjoyed each session I attended but a personal highlight was hearing Francis Whiting in person. Francis came onto my radar when I was a university undergraduate (longer ago than I care to admit!!). One of my student peers name-dropped Francis one morning outside Parliament House on the way to a lecture, saying her writing was great and we should check her out. Being the diligent cohort we were, Francis was duly investigated. What a great tip that turned out to be! Since hearing Francis speak, I now know that soon after her weekly column was established and ever since, I’ve anticipated her down-to-earth, entertaining insights on life. And over the years Francis has continued to expand her writing prowess, penning opinion and human-interest features and even novels (check out Francis Whiting’s Goodreads profile).

What I found so refreshing about Words Out West was the positive, even uplifting atmosphere that pervaded the festival. It was great seeing enthusiastic and welcoming engagement from local councillors, library staff, community volunteers and more. Though many speakers broached confronting questions and at times delved into grave topics, the sessions I attended left me hopeful and more aware of the change-worthy power of personal conviction and healthy community values. My family and I have now attended two years running and here’s a hint—it’s an awesome annual event you should seriously put on your calendar.

Expecting Twins!

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It’s official – they’re twins … just weeks apart. Okay, before imaginations run wild, we’re not talking human babies here, but books! (Of course …) The gestation periods and experiences of my ‘literary babies’ have been extremely different (fifteen years versus a whirlwind ride), but in the next month they will both be released.

CoverIntegrateIntegrate on the 1st of September.

 

 

 

ADevilsRansomA Devil’s Ransom on the 19th of September. (Which also happens to be ‘International Talk Like a Pirate Day’! Arrrrrrrr!!! 🙂 )

 

 

Today I’m guest blogging for Lynne Stringer on her blog page about my publication journey. This can be a wild adventure that finds you navigating narrow tracks, cutting new ground through unexplored frontiers, and tumbling over unexpected twists and potholes. Well, perhaps that’s slightly melodramatic, but there can certainly be some unexpected turns along the road to seeing your work in print.

This has been an interesting trip to reflect on, especially now with official release dates pending. Make sure you pop on over to Lynne’s website and have a read.

Lynne is an editor, journalist and science fiction romance author of the YA ‘Verindon trilogy‘. Make sure you check out this emerging author and her imaginative work.Lynne1-edited And while you’re there, browse some of the other publication journeys in her current guest blog series. You’ll be inspired – I know I have been.

Goosing Around

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During a recent training session, a work colleague spoke of applying the three key principles from popular business book Gung Ho! by Ken Blanchard & Sheldon Bowles. She explained each principle, including the ‘Gift of the Goose’, which likened the honking of geese in flight to a ‘you can do it’ type of encouragement.

I thought this was a great model.

Encouragement. How much we need it on life’s long journeys.

At a recent writer’s conference I attended, one speaker* provided her session attendees an elegant sheet of paper so they could write an encouraging note to someone at the conference. This opportunity was a valuable reminder that encouragement doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does involve action. If you’re anything like me, all too often we think ‘I’ll do that later’, but never do.

I consider myself a fairly encouraging person, but when a member of my husband’s family recently passed away, I recognised how easily such moments can slip by. This particular relative had relocated some years previous, and for various reasons had become quite isolated. With great sadness I remembered many well intended thoughts of calling or sending a note of thanks and encouragement for their thoughtfulness. I seldom got beyond purchasing the card or digging out their address.

I’m not aiming for a guilt trip, but I identify the immense value of encouragement in my life. If you’re a Twitter or Facebook follower, you’d know that at that writer’s conference I received a CALEB Prize for an unpublished YA manuscript. As one of the prize recipients I was excited, honoured, humbled and overwhelmed all at once. Yet that moment also belonged to many others – family, friends, writing group members and colleagues – who have offered consistent support and encouragement over the years, believing in me even when my own confidence failed.

But perhaps those closest to us, the ones who make such generous allowances for our hectic lifestyles and busyness, can become the easiest to overlook when it comes to returning encouragement.

A close friend once said that if she could convert every thought she had for me into a letter or phone call, I’d hear from her almost every day. I believe that encouragement is a little like that – but often it doesn’t get beyond the thought. Maybe if we exercise our ‘goose gift’ we can more readily convert our good intentions into a honk of support!

*Anusha Atukorala