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:
In December, I went on a trip to Brisbane for a conference and took some extra days off either side, to be able to further acquaint myself with the city.
Even though I’d been to Brisbane a few times before, it had been years and the city has changed into a sprawling modern metropolis with more things to do and see.
I found my time being spent walking around the city most mornings before the mercury got too high. I would then retreat to the comfort of my hotel room in the afternoon to read and write.
During one of my daily flaneusing trips, I came across the “Literary Trail” scattered throughout Brisbane which I thought was quite beautiful and a great tribute to the city’s poets:
These walks were just what I needed to reinvigorate me with my passion for poetry and short story writing.
(c) T. Altman 2017
Up until recent years, I used to walk around the city, alone – all the time.
I used to work in the CBD (Central Business District) and other than walking to and from my office building, I would spend lunchtimes and after business hours walking around the streets of Melbourne.
I was engaged in the city whilst observing it – two polarities joined.
Sometimes I felt like the untethered explorer, whilst other times I felt a foreboding danger and retreated to the safety of a heavy populated cafe or shopping district.
During these times I would sometimes jump on and off trams and trains to see what I could find. Sometimes, I would discover some well known artist’s graffiti on a brick wall or an independent retailer selling exotic homemade wares and even a budding musician busking in a underground train-station.
Now, I make an effort to go into the city and visit certain landmarks with purpose. I am more aware of my surroundings as I take precaution whilst observing as much as I can take in, for inspiration. I never knew how important it was for me to walk, observe and use that to fuel my imagination until I stopped and then went back to it. I didn’t realise that like some of my favourite authors, I am a Flaneuse and my hometown is my muse.
(c) T. Altman 2016
It was Virginia Woolf who in her essay “Street Haunting” said:
“Second-hand books are wild books, homeless books”
Well they can come home with me and be tamed because I absolutely love second hand books – they have so much character!
When I have the chance I like to peruse though second hand bookstores. Due to my addiction to books, I rarely ever leave a second hand book shop empty handed.
I especially love coming across books with dedications at the beginning of the book as well as personal annotations on the side of pages which highlight some important point to the reader. I find these even more precious the older they are and it makes me wonder why and how these books with so much personal attachment to them, made it to me.
If you can, visit your local second hand book store and rescue a wild book!
(C) T. Altman 2016
What banned books have you read?
Some of my favorite books are the ones who have been banned by certain places, people and institutions.
Here are a list of my favorite banned books once banned in Australia:
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D H Lawrence
Ulysses by James Joyce
For more information on Banned Books Week: Banned Books Week Website
Other than my mother who greatly influenced my love of reading, growing up – I was surrounded by people who didn’t read for pleasure or personal growth. I, however spent a significant amount of time reading for the love and knowledge.
I know people who say they haven’t read a book since they were forced to in school and that boggles my mind because I couldn’t imagine that myself. A couple of these same people have then gone out and read the Twilight or 50 Shades trilogies due to the hype in the media and think its the best literary creations they have ever come across (simply because they haven’t exposed themselves to reading anything else). I completely disagree but the way I look at it is that at least they are reading SOMETHING!
I personally believe you need to exercise your brain and reading does that.
Regardless of the book being good or not according to best seller lists, reviews, recommendations or the like – just do it – read a book and expand your mind as its never too late to do that!
Elizabeth is someone I can relate to as she’s aged she speaks the unabated truth, yet retains her passion with writing. I also love the fact she unapologetically states she didn’t cultivate people or write for others. To me that is why I love being a writer – for my own need to create and not for others.
Here are a few of her quotes from her talk which resonated with me:
“I had this great need to communicate with people.”
– on why she became a writer.
“If you are going to write it has to matter to you”
– on what you should focus on as a writer
Elizabeth Harrower – September 4th 2016, Melbourne Australia
Taken from the Modern Mrs Darcy website I took up the following challenge for 2016 and here is my completed list:
A book published this year:
Harry Potter and The Cursed Child by JK Rowling
A book you can finish in a day:
Alone by Beverley Farmer
A book you’ve been meaning to read:
The Hollow of the Hand by PJ Harvey
A book recommended by your local librarian or book seller:
Girl in the Dark by Anna Lyndsey
A book you should have read in school:
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
A book chosen for you by your spouse, partner, sibling, child, or BFF:
Imajica by Clive Barker
A book published before your were born:
Aesop’s Fables by Aesop
A book that was banned at some point:
The Flowers of Evil by Charles Boudelaire
A book you previously abandoned:
The Unruly Passions of Eugenie R by Carole De Santi
A book you own but have never read:
Ordeal by Linda Lovelace
A book that intimidates you:
When the Wattles Bloom Again by Shirley W Wencke
A book you’ve already read at least once:
The Complete Words of Edgar Allan Poe
The Melbourne Writers Festival is happening in Melbourne, Australia next month.
Victoria’s premier annual literary event. The Festival connects writers and stories to celebrate a world of literature, explore universal ideas, and inspire a global community of readers.
The Festival invites thought-provoking discussion at events exploring the hottest topical issues. For those who prefer to focus on life’s pleasures, there’ll be events for foodies, travelers and connoisseurs of culture. We’ll also invite adventurous readers to join like-minded lovers of literature for a range of relaxed social activities in unexpected places.
For all sessions and workshops check out their website here:
tinaaltman.com 
