I'm not waiting

Emerging Writer's Festival 2011

2011-06-05T19:55:00.000-07:00

I didn't fully get into the festival this year, what with starting my new job the same week... I was a bit distracted, but there were some great events. I most enjoyed the Getting into Genre (crime fiction) panel and the Not Your Nana's Slide Night... some great stories and I got to hear from one of my favourite authors... Kerry Greenwood (of Phyrne Fisher fame).

It has got me all enthused again though, and I shall post any new ideas here. Of course I always appreciate any feedback, so keep it coming.

Till next time....

On waiting....

2010-12-12T06:53:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you need a bit more space....

In your head....

to collect up the words... coherrantly...

(and to spell correctly!)

so this isn't so much a poem... as a few lines about why I'm waiting not very well at present....

Emerging

2010-06-03T07:46:00.000-07:00

What's not to love about the Emerging Writers Festival? It's the only festival I've been to that is actually there to inspire writers, rather than readers. It is inexpensive and jam packed full of opportunities to expand your knowledge, be exposed to up and coming writers, hear from publishers, network with others like yourself or more established. Generally its just 10 days of inspiration! I didn't network as much this year as last because I was with a friend, but the range of authors and topics covered was even better than last year.
My only gripe would be that it ended (letters to the editor anyway) on a fairly sombre note about the difficulty of getting published and the changing face of publishing in Australia. Also the poets seemed a little bitter, complaining about the lack of readers and appreciation of poetry in Australia (though not difficult getting published apparently).
Still it all just reminded me that I must keep writing, so stay tuned for what's next....

Stranger Strange

2010-05-24T06:54:00.000-07:00

This week is the Emerging Writer's Festival. I attended a small part of a booklaunch this evening that has inspired me to start a new blog. I am aiming for this one to be a little more focussed, so I will attempt to publish posts based mainly on new creative writing. Here goes...

Stranger Strange

I love random meetings. I make aquaintances easily. I'll talk to almost anyone, and I seem to exude something that shout's "talk to me!" Well people seem to feel at liberty to do so at any rate. Train stations are one of my favourite, or least favourite encountering places. I can be reading with earphones in and someone will try and talk to me! So it's just as well I like to talk to people...

Some meetings are a little strange... sometimes its just a stranger. I've had marriage proposals, future predictors and even the occassional disturbed person. Sometimes the stranger is a little too inquisitive for my comfort. Sometimes they try to rope you into their religion or club.

I've argued with friends that Melbourne is the friendliest place in Australia, but perhaps I'm just a people magnet. Do you attract strangers? I've had people tell me quite intimate things... like a confessional. Things I would only tell a close friend. Some people are strange.

Others don't want your money... they want your soul. They want to convert you to their way of thinking. Others just ramble, incoherant, offensive, or just odd. Some people are stranger.

I'm usually not scared. I feel safe in my city, despite the rising violence. I've wandered Melbourne's lonely streets on a midwinter's night... you feel the essence of a place. Even in the dark it cannot hide.

I'll never deny a stranger. No matter how strange they may be. Strangers present opportunities. After all we are all strangers. The following song is the inspiration for the title of this post and the blog.

Stranger Strange (Augie March)

Sun goes high and very low
None too differerent
All to same you know
I know cause I’ve seen them come and go
With summer comes the valley homes
With medicine trucks on the sidewalk
Made out cause the hands couldn’t hold it

(Stranger strange)
Stranger stranger hard and familiar
I’ve got no jokes
Hit me off for more than just my shrapnel’s wounds

Some go high and very low
None too different all the same you know
I know cause I’ve seen them come and go

(Stranger, stranger)
Stranger, stranger strange you should be listening
Like a river to the end of my curtain song
Nobody knows when madness could come along

Now if you see a dear fall into a trap you free it
They know kindness when they see it
Stranger, strange would it come if you could call it?

Some go high and very low
None too different all the same you know
I know cause I’ve seen them come and go

Its quiet now
The streets are silent
Music out of the arms of the unit flies, flies

(Stranger stranger)
Stranger, strange I knew I knew you
Now the bird flights in the blanket view you
Flies like devils and a voice like an iron fire
Stranger strange that the earth meanders
I’m not waiting for them in a fall
I’m not waiting for anything at all
Stranger strange that the earth meanders
I’m not waiting for them in a fall
I’m not waiting for anything at all

Please let me know what you think. I appreciate all comments...