novel
Emerging Writers Festival
The Emerging Writers Festival is happening in Melbourne, Australia next month.
The Emerging Writers’ Festival is a not-for-profit organisation whose foundations are built on supporting emerging writers. They are a place where creativity and innovation is celebrated, where new talent is nurtured and where diverse voices from across Australia are represented.
For all sessions and workshops check out their website here:
Sci-Fiction/Fantasy Inspiration
Thanks to the required reading in year 8 English for introducing me to science-fiction through Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”. It was the first novel which made me think outside the lacking literature which was around me at the time and made me delve deeper into the genre which I found fascinating.
Thanks also to JG for introducing me to sci-fantasy in my early 20’s through Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts “Empire Trilogy”. This imaginative genre has definitely inspired my creativity and is one I am drawn to.
These two avenues of discovering new genres changed the way I read and write and for that I am thankful.
Inspiration: Sylvia Plath says “Have the guts….”
What Inspires Me: Dali
This surrealist’s art has always made me wonder at the “characters” within his art. They speak to me of places I’m too wary to travel to, whilst giving me insight into the complex nature of his perception of life.
This is my favourite Dali piece which is titled “Woman Aflame” .
It helps me momentary escape and explore infinite possibilities as a woman as I compartmentalize my responsibilities and dreams…I might be held up to society’s standards but that is just a crutch which I use to propel myself forward.
Book Inspiration: Aesop’s Fables
The first book I recall from my earliest memories as a child, is learning to read using Aesop’s Fables. I loved the simple story telling full of allegory and re-read them over and over again. Filled with moral and ethical lessons I feel this is the book which shaped me the most.
What Inspires Me: Travelling
I’ve been away for a long vacation which I haven’t had in years. I travelled to some beautiful places filled with nature which always inspires me.
I wrote everyday and continue to do so, focusing on my fiction as well as non fiction.
Its triggered a new story in me which is a completely different genre and so I look forward to seeing it bloom.
What Inspires Me: Reading
Something which I have a great love for is: reading.
Being born to immigrant parents, I learned to speak English in school. I used reading anything I could get my hands on from the local library, to help me conquer the language.
My passion for reading increased as a teen, where I started to write my own stories, after being inspired by authors like Robin Klein, S.E. Hinton and Lucy Maud Montgomery. As I got older, my tastes broadened and I fell in love with classical literature, horror and science fiction. Authors like Steven King, Paulo Coelho, Christian Jacq, Anne Rice, Raymond E Feist and Janny Wurts encouraged me to get back to writing because their words touched me and reignited the creative spark I had been suppressing.
I’m always reading several books at a time and love to open my inspiration to new ideas whether they be fiction or non fiction. This is why I have been puzzled when I meet people who say they never read. I find that weird…mainly because I love to read for fun as well as for knowledge. I find reading a great self educator and feel it can help writers hone their craft or encourage them to try our new genres or styles of writing.
Whatever I am reading all I want is to get “something” out of it and even if I dislike the book itself – at least I learned that!
What Inspires Me: Alice in Wonderland
One of my favorite books is Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. The following quote resonates for me when it comes to creative writers…
What Inspires Me: Travel
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