BOORANGA NEWS
NEWSLETTER FOR BOORANGA WRITERS’ CENTRE OF
WAGGA WAGGA WRITERS WRITERS INC.
JULY - AUGUST 2009
EDITOR: DEREK MOTION
Continuing on from the success of 2007’s ‘From all four Corners’, Wagga Wagga City Council will be once again holding a biennial Winter Cultural Festival. This year’s festivel - Mawang - will be focussed on Indigenous Culture.
Booranga is happy to be able to be involved in this artistically diverse program, and will
be staging two events: the ‘Celebrating the Voice’ performance evening and workshops
(featuring Indigenous writers from the South Coast collaborating with local Indigenous
writers); and also a special one-off author talk from noted Wiradjuri author and academic
Anita Heiss (details on the next page). ‘Celebrating the Voice’ will feature an evening
of performances by visiting writers Auntie Barbara Nicholson, Ernie Blackmore, and
Elizabeth Hodgson. Also collaborating with these writers on the evening will be local
Indigenous writers John Muk Muk Burke (pictured) and Donna Kirby. The next day our
visiting writers will be running creative writing workshops - the morning session will
focus on Life Writing, and the afternoon on Poetry. Bookings for these workshops are a
special price of only $10.
‘Celebrating the Voice’ will also be touring to Albury as part of the Write Around the
Murray Festival, Thursday 6th August (further details in this newsletter).
Performance Evening: 31st July, 5-7pm, Wagga City Library. Entry is free.
Creative writing workshops: 1st August, 9am-1pm (Life Writing) & 2-5pm (Poetry), Wagga Council Meeting Room.
Cost of $10 per place. Book by phoning or emailing Booranga (details below), or by contacting the
Wagga Library on (02) 69269720
Booranga Writers’ Centre (McKeown Drive) 2009 Office Hours:
Staff will be in every Monday (9am - 3.30pm), Tuesday (9 - 11.30am), Thursday (9 - 11.30am).
For enquiries (with a quick response) email us: [email protected]
Or alternatively email our director directly: [email protected]
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BOORANGA NEWS
JULY - AUGUST 2009
Special Guest: Anita Heiss
2009 Calendar of
Booranga Events
25th July
Next Booranga Monthly Writers’
Meeting
31st July - 1st August
‘Celebrating the Voice’ events
held in Wagga.
6th August
‘Celebrating the Voice’ event held
in Albury
21st August
Special guest Writer: Anita Heiss
5th September
Wagga Heat of the National Poetry Slam - Wagga Library
As the second part of Booranga’s involvement in the Mawang Festival, we are
pleased to welcome noted Wiradjuri Author Anita Heiss to the region for a one-off
event. Anita is well known in Australia as an author, poet, satirist and social commentator, and while here for one night in Wagga she will be giving the following talk:
Am I Blak Enough For You?
Wagga City Library, Friday 21st August, 5pm onwards.
Anita will talk about her books and how her work aims to break dwon stereotypes of
Aboriginal Australians in the 21st Century. She will make you laugh and cringe as
she discusses her chick-lit novels Not Meeting Mr. Right and Avoiding Mr. Right, kids
novel Yirra and her Deadly Dog Demon and poetry collection I’m not racist, but...
(image of Anita Heiss by Wayne Quilliam)
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Friday 25th September
Q&A session with playwright
Alex Bruon
9th - 23rd October
Writer-in-Residence: Rhyll McMaster
November:
Launches for fourW twenty
Wagga - 21st
Melbourne - 22nd
Sydney - 28th
JULY - AUGUST 2007
BOORANGA
NEWS
EDITOR: DEREK MOTION
JULY - AUGUST 2009
Recent events...
Booranga Writer-in-residence: Sarah
Holland-Batt
Our second writer-in-residence for 2009 delighted local
audiences with her finely wrought poetry, and also her
generous and practical workshopping techniques. Sarah
gave readings from her debut collection Aria in both Wagga
and Albury, and also ran creative writing classes in Albury,
Wagga, and Narrandera.
For any Booranga members interested in purchasing a copy
of Aria, we do still have a handfull of copies in the office
Sarah Holland-Batt, mid-poem, at the Wagga City Library
that can be purchased for the special price of just $20. Drop
in or send us an email.
Monthly Writers’ Meetings
Our last Booranga monthly writers’ meeting was held in June featuring Alice Pung (a report by Booranga member Claire Baker is
on the next page). Our next meeting is scheduled for this Saturday, 25th July, 2-4pm, at Booranga. This month’s meeting will be a
return to the regular format - simply bring along a sample of some of your recent writing (any genre, but not over-long) to share in a
friendly and constructive environment. Tea and coffee is provided and all are welcome.
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BOORANGA NEWS
JULY - AUGUST 2009
Alice Pung’s Life Writing Workshop - contributed by Claire Baker
What do Ronald McDonald, Patrick White, Vincent
Van Gogh, Henry Lawson, Kevin Rudd and Jesus
have in common? Well nothing really, only they and
a few of their mates dropped in at Booranga for the
June writers’ workshop. We weren’t expecting such
company, but we made them feel more than welcome!
And we weren’t just gathered around a table exchanging pleasantries; we visited art galleries, popped into a
pre-school, toured a castle and waited for a bus. Such
a busy afternoon – how did we do it? In two words
- Alice Pung.
This inspiring young author of Unpolished Gem (Black
Inc, 2006) kept the nine people who attended busy
writing, talking and laughing for three hours. Some
travelled as far as Albury and Young to attend, and
ranged from the complete novice to writers/poets that
have been published. This was Alice’s second visit to
Wagga Wagga, and after attending the workshop Alice
ran last time I was keen to extend my writing skills under her guidance. Everyone was quickly put at their ease and Alice provided
much encouragement for the more timid – such an important thing for those who may feel a little unsure of their ability to write
something of worth. After a round-the-table introduction and brief summary of what we were interested in, Alice provided us with
some guidance in two crucial elements of all writing – location and character.
The location exercise entailed us thinking of a place, and arriving or leaving this place. After working diligently (some more diligent
than others), we read out our pieces. The variety was fascinating as each person came up with something from their past that was
unique and interesting. Some pieces stimulated similar memories in others which were shared openly providing a warm feeling as
we got to know each other a little better. The feedback from Alice and the other participants was supportive and constructive to us all.
After a welcome break for coffee and general chit-chat, we were back into it, but Alice had something a little more “out there” for
us. We had to write down the name of someone famous without anyone else seeing. We were paired up, and then allocated a “place”.
Next, on a sheet of paper we had to have a written conversation “in character” with our partner-in-writing, dropping hints as to who
we were but still not telling anyone. There was much hilarity when time came to read out our pieces, some in character voices which
added to the fun. Just to mention a few of the unlikely pairing, there were Ronald McDonald and George Foreman at the art gallery,
Kevin Rudd and Jesus at a bus stop, and my personal favourite, Henry Lawson and Vincent Van Gogh meeting at 3pm at a kindergarten, which ended in the only way it could – Lawson and Van Gogh heading off to the nearest hotel!
The time passed very quickly and I’m sure everyone came away feeling invigorated by Alice’s enthusiasm and gentle encouragement. For any Booranga member who has yet to participate in a writing workshop, I recommend making the effort. Although a little
daunting, the benefits of discussing your writing with others and joining in writing exercises is definitely worthwhile.
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JULY - AUGUST 2007
BOORANGA
NEWS
EDITOR: DEREK MOTION
JULY - AUGUST 2009
The Albury Write Around the Murray festival is on again for 2009, and once again Booranga is delighted to
be a part of it. If you can’t catch the ‘Celebrating the Voice’ performance event in Wagga (details on the front
page), there will be another performance held in Albury as part of the festival, happening on Thursday 6th
August, 1pm, at the Albury Library / Museum.
As you can see from the graphic above, this year’s festival boasts a great line up. To help you make up your
mind regarding events, workshops, performances you should receive a copy of the full program with this newsletter. Otherwise you can access the full program on the Write Around the Murray website, where you can also
register for all events and workshops.
http://writearoundthemurray.org.au/
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BOORANGA NEWS
JULY - AUGUST 2009
Olivia’s Choice
Olivia Markham, handles all contributions to our members’ work section, now named: Olivia’s Choice. (Send
contributions of creative writing for Booranga News to [email protected] and place ‘Olivias Choice’
in the subject line). In every Booranga News Olivia will be giving you prompts for new writing, as well as her
feedback on your own submissions.
GETTING STARTED: Yes We Can by Olivia Markham
In his historic victory speech in Chicago, Illinois in November 2008, Barack Obama’s optimistic creed ‘Yes We Can’ created a fervour that started in the primaries and brought him to the White House, revealing a sharp, decisive and organised brain of the newly,
elected president.
‘Obama’s performance in the primaries was remarkable,’ according to historian on African-American culture Howard Dodson. ‘His
aggressive and highly disciplined strategic grassroots organizing, brilliant speeches, record-breaking campaign rallies and successful
debate performances thrust him into the lead in terms of delegate count.’ 1
As global spectators, we saw the result of a carefully planned campaign that culminated in a presidency. The slogan Yes We Can, now
used in a variety of contexts, found its way into the milieu of writing. And like Obama, the writer too, must prepare for the arduous
journey ahead armed with a highly organised, thinking tool.
As writers, the campaign to publication is challenging. We want our experiences to reach others, we yearn for our words to find a
place in their memory, and we crave for our writing to resonate through history. To achieve such expectations requires a belief that
Yes We Can create order out of the chaos of jumbled thoughts and ideas, where babbling streams of consciousness merge with the
chaotic underbelly of converging currents to integrate themselves into an evolving ocean of order.
Turning chaos into order takes practice and requires astute, organisational skills. Consider the process that activates left brain and
right brain integration. The more you integrate the verbal, the analytical and the actions of the left with the non-verbal, creative perceptions of the right brain the better your intellectual and creative skills converse uniformly.
It doesn’t matter whether you are left or right body dominant, or left or right handed, as long as you switch on the logical left simultaneously with the creative, right brain. Although each hemisphere is dominant in certain activities they are both skilled in all areas,
and can be harnessed to work together all the time.
Performing activities that switch on both sides of the brain help with brain integration and support clearer thinking. Learn to juggle,
dance, play a musical instrument or listen to the slower rhythms of Baroque music. Use your non-dominant hand to write your name,
draw, brush your teeth, comb your hair or dial a telephone number. 2
To stimulate left brain activity, learn a new language or practise working things out logically when planning schedules or solving
problems through puzzles, crosswords and chess. To activate right brain thinking, visualise information by using lots of colour, drawing pictures and creating mind maps. 3
Mind mapping, a graphic, note-taking technique developed by international educator and author Tony Buzan, is a useful planning
tool for writing. Mind mapping enhances the writer’s creativity, and assists with organisation of thought, analysis, problem solving
and writer’s block. 4
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BOORANGA
NEWS
EDITOR: DEREK MOTION
JULY - AUGUST 2009
Mind mapping switches on both parts of the brain simultaneously and promotes multi-dimensional thinking by utilising images,
rather than words, wherever appropriate. In The Mind Map Book, Tony and Barry Buzan introduce techniques to replace written, linear notes with graphics. Tree-like drawings, made up of branches of images, symbols and key words, are mapped out on
unlined paper using coloured pens to describe each part of a project within a major framework. Alternatively, computer mind
mapping programs are available. 5
‘People won’t see the work that goes into a book, but anyone who has written one will tell you that diligence is a must,’ says
Donald Trump in his book, Think Like a Champion. Whenever Trump writes a book, he may spend up to eight months organising
his notes, collecting articles, dictating stories and ideas before he puts it all together. 6
‘It’s a long process, and it requires patience and perseverance to see it through to the finished product. I will admit that sometimes
I wonder if it’s worth it, because it’s not an easy endeavour. But when the book is done, it’s a great feeling. It’s an accomplishment that has taken painstaking time,’ says Trump.’ 7
Writing is time consuming and requires preparation in getting started. Let us consider Obama’s presidential victory speech and
relate it to the writer’s journey. ‘Change has come…’ 8 This is our chance to answer the call. This is our moment. This is our
time…and where we are met with cynicism and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless
creed that sums up the spirit of a people. Yes we can.’ 9
1 Dodson, Howard c. 2009, ‘An Unlikely Journey’, in Cohen, David Elliot & Greenberg, Mark (created by) 2009, OBAMA The
Historic Front Pages: From Announcement to Inauguration, Chronicled by Leading U.S. and International Newspapers, Sterling, 2 New York, p. 8.
2 Hart, Felicity 2003, Building Brain Brilliance, viewed 10 June 2009, http://www.studysmart.co.za/Bbriliance.htm
3 ibid.
4 Buzan, Tony & Barry 2003, The Mind Map Book, BBC, London.
5 ibid.
6 Trump, Donald J 2009, Think like a champion: an informal education in business and life, Vanguard Press, New York, pp. 174175.
7 ibid., p. 174.
8 Cohen, David Elliot & Greenberg, Mark (created by) 2009, OBAMA The Historic Front Pages: From Announcement to Inaugu
ration, Chronicled by Leading U.S. and International Newspapers, Sterling, New York, p. 64.
9 ibid., p. 69.
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BOORANGA NEWS
JULY - AUGUST 2009
On the Craft… A Book Review by Kelly A. Shaw
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
Part memoir, part book on writing, King was inspired to write this book for posterity after a frightening glimpse at his own mortality. In 1999, while out walking in a remote area in the Maine woods, King was struck by a car – an incident he later humorously
describes as having ‘nearly been killed by a character out of my own novels,’ (308).
One of the unique things about this book ‘on writing’ is its broad appeal. As the title indicates it’s part memoir, which gives it a
readability that surpasses your average book about writing. And anyone who is already a Stephen King fan – and they number in the
millions – will enjoy this look into King’s life, childhood memories and his relationship with one of the great loves of his life: his
writing. In his forward he admits, ‘This is a short book because most books about writing are filled with bullshit. Fiction writers,
present company included, don’t understand very much about what they do…I figured the shorter the book, the less bullshit,’ (xiii).
He certainly keeps that promise.
It is precisely his relationship with writing that drives the book and forms the central focus, even for a lot of the memoir portion. In
the first section is entitled ‘CV’, King takes a delightful stroll down memory lane and recalls – refreshingly, without an ounce of
self-pity – his poor childhood in rural Maine with his single mum and older brother. King chooses his memories carefully, and picks
those that highlight the significant and formative events of his childhood. This anecdotal approach gives the book a realistic quality:
unlike a lot of memoirs, which often fill in the memory gaps, King doesn’t. Instead, he writes about what he does remember with
rich detail and honesty. And from a reader’s perspective, it’s refreshing to not have to wonder about where the real memory ends and
the story begins, fleshed out to make for juicier reading.
Among the many touchstones of his childhood are getting his first typewriter at age eleven and submitting his first story for publication at age thirteen. Although it was rejected, it showed how committed he was to his craft from such an early age, giving the
sense that he couldn’t not write, regardless of the outcome. This man is, if nothing else, a battler – he had been writing for fourteen
years by the time his first novel, Carrie, was published in 1974. He also credits the science fiction, horror and monster films, which
enjoyed massive success in 1950s-60s America, as a major influence for his writing. In the midst of all these anecdotes from King’s
childhood, the focus of this memoir section remains clear: detailing what brought him to his writing.
The next two sections of the book contain the most useful information for writers. The first section King calls ‘The Toolbox.’ In a
short 34-page section, King covers some of the important technical aspects of writing, with plenty of colourful examples. The following section, entitled ‘On Writing’ is the core of the book and the most important for those reading from a writer’s perspective.
Here, King certainly delivers on his promise in the Foreword. There is very little to spare, no superfluous advice, just the nuts and
bolts: ‘If you want to be a writer you must do two things: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m
aware of, no shortcut,’ (164).
‘On Living: A Postscript’ is the final section of the book in which King discusses his recovery from his near-fatal accident. Again,
he shows how important his writing has been to him, as it even helped him through the healing process. In this section he also includes a rough draft and self-edited version of one of his short stories that insightfully illustrates how he moves through the process.
This book is like attending a writer’s conference with King at the helm. He’s certainly not a self-aggrandising writer who takes
himself and his craft far too seriously. He talks about battling his own personal demons. His tone is immediate, conversational and
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JULY - AUGUST 2007
BOORANGA
NEWS
EDITOR: DEREK MOTION
JULY - AUGUST 2009
engaging. One of the most appealing aspects of this book is not just his candour, but also his humour. He weaves his wit into much
of what he knows about writing, and parts of the book are laugh-out-loud funny. (Surprising for a man who looks borderline psychotic on most of his book jackets photos. You can almost see him, eyeing the headshots of himself, saying ‘Yes, that’s the one. I
think I look the craziest in that one, yes, that’ll do nicely.’) By the end of this read, you have a sense that you know the real King;
he’s become your friend in the course of the book.
Regardless of how he is perceived by the aesthetic literary community, King is certainly one of the most prolific writers of his
generation. To date, he has 48 published novels, not to mention short stories and film adaptations. Yet despite all of his literary and
ensuing commercial success, he remains humble about his ability. Wether you love or hate his work, it’s hard not to admire his consistency and his ability to move in so many different directions in his exploration of all things macabre.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King is available locally at libraries in Wagga Wagga and Gundagai.
fourW twenty
Submissions have closed and all work is currently being read by our editorial committee...
This year marks the twentieth annual edition of fourW, and as such we have organised three launches
to mark the occassion. Wherever you happen to be, there should be a launch nearby:
Wagga Launch: Saturday 21st November, 2.30pm, Wagga City Library
Melbourne Launch: Sunday 22nd November, 2.30pm, The Courthouse, Carlton
Sydney Launch: Saturday 28th November, 2.30pm, Gleebooks
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BOORANGA NEWS
JULY - AUGUST 2009
PUBLISHING, COMPETITIONS and OPPORTUNITIES
Prose
Tom Donovan Encouragement Award: $100
First National Republican Short Story Competition
Maximum length for EJ Brady Major Short Story entries is
2500 words. The Very Short Stories must not exceed 700
words. The judges reserve the right to reject work exceeding the
word length.
There is no set theme and you may write in any genre in adult
literature, including Science Fiction.
Entry fee $11.99
(Cheques or postal order payable to Australian Republican
Movement)
2009 is a milestone as it will be 10 years on 6 November 2009
since the republican referendum was lost. To commemorate this
event and to remind Australians what they still don’t have the
Australian Republican Movement is calling for speculative fic-
Entry fee is $10 for EJ Brady Major Short Story, $7 for Very
Short Story. Entry fee MUST be submitted with each entry,
by cheque or postal money order payable to Mallacoota Arts
Council.
Closing Date: 11 September 2009
tion short stories between 2000 and 4000 words that portray an
Australian republican future in a positive light and demonstrate
the absurdity of a hereditary monarch as the Australian Head of
State in twenty-first century Australian society. Stories must be
original and unpublished. 1st prize: $611.99
Boroondara Literary Awards
The awards consist of two main categories, Young Writers and
Open Short Story.
Send entries to:
Australian Republican Movement
Young Writers includes sections for poetry and prose for sec-
PO Box 87
ondary students in Year levels 7-9 and 10-12. The Open Short
Geebung Q 4034
Story section is a national competition with a special prize up
for grabs for Boroondara residents. The awards are judged by
Closing Date: 31 August 2009
successful industry professionals who are widely recognised
for their work in the literary field. All winning stories and
poems are published in an anthology.
EJ Brady Short Story Competition
Details and entry forms available at: http://www.boroondara.
Prizes
Major short story: $1500 winner, $200 runner up
Word limit 2500
vic.gov.au/leisure/culture_arts/literary_program/literary_awards/guidelines
Entries close: 28th August
Very short story: $500 winner
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JULY - AUGUST 2007
BOORANGA
NEWS
EDITOR: DEREK MOTION
JULY - AUGUST 2009
PUBLISHING, COMPETITIONS and OPPORTUNITIES
Poetry
Plays / Scripts
A Feast of Poetry
The 2009 St. Martins Playwrighting Competition
A Feast of Poetry is an annual poetry writing competition which
St. Martins has been dedicated to developing the unique voice
began in 2004. The festival is held in the beautiful gardens of
of emerging Australian artists for almost 30 years and this proud
the historic Raglan Gallery in Lambie St , Cooma.
history continues in the 2009 St. Martins Playwright Competition.
The poetry competition has sections for infants, primary, and
secondary students, as well as open and bush poetry sections.
Open to all Australian playwrights aged 13-30 years, this competition boosts an impressive list of award winners including
There is a $300 prize for the open section.
Lally Katz, Amelia Roper and Robert Reid. Previous competition winners have gone on to have their work featured at the
Entries close 28th August
Malthouse Theatre, La Mama and in 2009; Amelia Roper’s BIG
SKY TOWN (Playwrighting Competition winner 2007) is tour-
Entry forms can be downloaded at: http://nswcommunities.
ing to the Arts Centre and Regional Victoria in late April.
org.au/fileadmin/sea/registrations/community/jhunt/hibbert/
documents/2009_Feast_of_Poetry_Entry_Form.pdf
Closing Date: 14 August 2009
Dtails and Enrty form available at: http://www.writers.asn.
au/uploads/file/Comps/playwrights%20entry%20form%20
The Wesley Michel Wright Prize in Poetry
2009.pdf
This prize is now open for award to an author or composer of
original verse or poetry in the English and who is an Australian
citizen. Each applicant must submit for assessment an appropriate poetic work.
For more information: email: [email protected]
Note: If you have trouble downloading any competition entry
Value: $4,000 approx
forms, please contact Booranga Staff, and we can provide you
with a hardcopy.
Closing date: 31 July 2009
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BOORANGA WRITERS’ CENTRE
APPLICATION FOR 2009 MEMBERSHIP
Booranga (trading as Wagga Wagga Writers Writers Inc.) was formed in 1987 to assist and promote local authors and their
work. The group holds regular readings at local venues, conducts writing workshops, offers fellowships at Booranga, the Riverina Writers’ Centre at Charles Sturt University, and published an annual anthology, fourW, under the imprint of fourW press,
and is active in promoting writing and writers throughout the Riverina.
MEMBERSHIP PERIOD 1ST JANUARY
- 31ST DECEMBER 2009
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP ($33) or CONCESSION ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP ($22)
6-MONTH MEMBERSHIP ($17)
GROUP MEMBERSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE
MEMBERSHIP ENTITLES YOU TO...
- Copy of fourW nineteen Anthology
- Regular newsletter (bi-monthly) & e-list mailouts
- 10% discount at Book City, Wagga
- 10% Discount at Angus & Robertson Bookworld,
Wagga
- 10% discount to RTC performances
- Member discounts to readings, performances & workshops
- Invitations to writing events & get-togethers
- Access to a network of writers, book enthusiaists &
other writers’ centres for information & friendship
- Use of Booranga Writers’ Centre resources, such as
library and computer
Note: Student Membership ($11) is now also available
for students under 21 years of age. Student members
will receive newsletters & discounted admission to
reading etc. but will not receive a complimentary copy
of fourW nineteen.
Please fill out and send application form to:
Wagga Wagga Writers Writers Inc. Booranga Writers’ Centre,
Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga NSW 2678, Phone/Fax (02) 69332688
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
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.............................. (home) .............................. (work) .............................. (mobile)
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Enclosed is: $............. cheque/money order FOR: single / concession / student / 6-month membership (please circle)
undeliverable return to:
POSTAGE PAID AUSTRALIA
Booranga Writers’ Centre
Locked Bag 588
Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678
POSTAGE PAID
AUSTRALIA
WWWW & the Booranga Writers’ Centre are supported by: