writing workshop – Page 6 – June Paisa Perkins

Tardis Trap

It’s a fun afternoon out on the East Devonport Streets.

We have all been taking turns to pretend we are in Doctor Who’s Tardis, actually it’s an old cupboard we have found on the street, but we have imagined it new. Everyone pops in and out and all seems safe and fun. I love watching Doctor Who, being terrified by it, and hiding behind the couch when the monsters become too much. Butterflies in my tummy are what makes life so interesting. I’d rather that than be bored.

When people come out we pretend to be monsters chasing the Doctor and sometimes his companions. Some of us are great actors.

We see how many people fit into the old cupboard.

We play chases.

But now on my turn to be the Doctor someone has decided to lock the door. My assistant has not followed me. It’s dark in here. I am banging on the door. I am afraid I won’t be able to breathe. All I can hear are giggles and whispers. It is all too real.

‘Let me out, Let me out,’ my desperation is making them laugh even more. I begin to sob. I bang on the doors. Their noise dies down and lots of them sound like they are running away.

One brave, break away kid, opens it up, and then he too runs away. I don’t see his face.

I jump out of the cupboard. I have moved forward in time. Now there are no neighbourhood friends, only hot tears streaming down my face and a breath of fresh air to bask in.

I run all the way home, not looking back, only looking forward.

Written in Response to Write Practice ‘Tap into your Inner Child’

Imagination on Fire – Tropical Writers Festival part 1.

Meeting Gretel Killen- She spoke to each person as she signed their book, just finished reading it today – REVIEW coming soon.

What does it mean to have an imagination on fire? Is it never having a dull thought, or boring words but rather an array of wordsmithing skills that can polished until they are gleaming? Is it going beyond the expected to find a voice that is unique, individual and surprising?

Then there are all the practicalities. How to go beyond writing and the the craft itself, to finding an agent, a book that is bound, self published, or published by others, and funded maybe even by a grant of some sort.

There there is the way in which writers present- that is an issue that is now going all sorts of directions, multi arts, ebook, blog and online platforms. And what are the ethics of it all! With online bullying rife how can you ensure young readers are not being ‘corrupted’.

What constitutes great and classic literature versus the airport trashy read? One of the most engaging discussions of the festival was the Book club, sponsored by ABC, which featured Journalist Gavin King, ABC’S Fiona Sewall, Gretel Killen and Mayor Val Schier. It was chaired by Angela Murphy. They discussed each of the following books in some detail – Girl with the Dragon Tatoo, by Stieg Larsson, Lloyd Jones’s Mr Pip and a Tim Winton’s novel Cloud Street. Gavin felt Tim’s characterisations were a little boring whilst others said he was ‘gentle with his characters’ even if they did not have admirable traits.

book club presentation4

The whole panel, Gretel Killeen, Val Schier, Gavin King, Fiona Sewell

The discussion was on fire with a spirited discussion of Winton’s artistry and capturing to the Australian vernacular – with some for him and his beautiful prose (Fiona) and others seeing him as rather long winded (Gretel and Gavin). Only Mayor Val Schier, enjoyed Stieg, with the others finding him a terrible writer. Although there was a discussion of whether something had been lost in translation by Collin’s bookseller. His depictions of women were not appreciated by some of the panel, whilst later an audience member was to say he was a typical Norweigan man. There was some discussion about how one of his characters was based on Pipi Longstocking, which Gretel was disgusted with. Also Eat, Pray, Love now a movie, although not up for discussion officially got a canning from Gretel for it’s depiction of women.

Mr Pip was universally praised as one of those books that makes you cry on the public transport on the way to work! As many of the audience were unfamiliar with the book, they plot was shared but it was the deftness of the prose that was also praised. The book was written by a journalist, perhaps accounting for the economy of the words. Why are some books more popular than others!

The final conclusion of the book club was that everyone should read! It opens doors and creates opportunities.

RESPONSES INVITED! What was the last book you read that made you feel on fire, not only with imagination, but the will to write your own stories and to read more?

Mayor Val discussing books!

In defence of Tim Winton, Fiona Sewell expresses her viewand Angela Murphy keeps the dialogue moving along

I will continue my reports of the festival in another post, as a long post might not lead you down the READING path. Just to give you a teaser in posts to come there is the wit and vitality of the festival dinner, some multi media arts Mapping the Heart that was truly astounding, meeting and networking opportunities (I meet someone who I haven’t seen for fourteen years) and of course my new mates the WINQ writers and Jacque Duffy. We had a ball and our conversations about literature and life were as interesting as the Book Club. I love North QLD literary community.

Gretel gets her point across, with a bit of humour, passion and some keen intelligence.

(c) words and images June Perkins

Gone Travelling, Virtually

I have “virtually” set sail on the SS Vulcania, a creation of Soul Food. It is an interesting venture involving both collaboration and introspection in one’s own cabins.

My character in Unity Bell. She comes from a small island and has pet gecko, Speck. She also has a shell of prophecy and has just hopped on board. To understand more of this world go to Unity’s Cabin and follow the links, particularly my compass links.

Some friends and I recently visited another writing group up the road from us and it was a wonderful and inspiring day. Hearing new voices reading their work was awesome and seeing their project, an anthology for Anzac Day, was fantastic. We were so inspired we decided to work on an anthology for our community and its in the works, more announcements on this when we’ve shaped it more.

I’ve also joined a poetry network on line and that’s a pretty interesting group which is growing all the time, with 53 poets I think at last count.

I am continuing to develop songs and would love to attend workshops on this. I am finding the songs are developing over time and I am waiting quite a while before I sing them publicly in case I add riffs etc to them.

It is fabulous to have some great writing friends on the journey of life, and I really treasure time with them as we share this passion for writing and it binds us together.

Well that’s my news at present. I’ll be back to post some samples of work.

I do continue as an RE teacher and I will be back to blog on that occasionally and organise the resources to be easier to find. Ah so MUCH to do.

You can read more about my imaginative journey with the Soul Food Mob, on the SS Vulcania – simply visit Unity’s Cabin.

If I haven’t blogged here in a while that is probably where I am !