Friday, March 20, 2009

Writing Offshore

I’m currently in sunny Western Australia working on my new novel which is humming along now that I’m giving it the full-time attention it deserves. Most days I write from 7.30am to 2.30pm then take in the sights, often from the deck of a boat meandering down the river or canals. Late afternoon I return to the office, read over my morning’s work and make notes for the next day, an ideal rhythm for this early first draft stage.

Mandurah Library Presentations
On Thursday 26th March I’m giving two talks at the Mandurah Library as part of their Writers in Libraries programme. The first presentation, entitled ‘Writing Fiction: Influences and Experiences’, tracks my development as a writer of fiction, and begins at 2pm. After questions from the audience, we’ll take a short break before I present my second session, ‘Telling Our Personal Stories', which focuses on my narrative research and work with digital storytelling. Again there’ll be opportunities for discussion and the sharing of ideas, particularly those related to the Lives Past project.

I’m looking forward to meeting lots of West Australians and visitors to the beautiful Mandurah area.