A love of writing

NHS at Melbourne Writers Festival

Last week 7G and 7H went to the Melbourne Writers Festival Schools Program at the Wheeler Centre.  We enjoyed hearing how writers write!  We learned what inspires their work, and the secret to how to become better writers.  The secret was to … you guessed it … write!  We learned how family, culture and country inspires the art of Aboriginal artist Paulo Balla who spoke with local writer and historian Tony Birch; Amie Kaufman (Aurora Rising, The Illuninae Files) explained how she and her co-writer Jay Kristoff negotiate differences of opinion when it comes to driving sci-fi a plot forward; and we were love struck by the work of YA author Jenna Guillaume and science writer Sean Elliot who spoke about that the chemical reaction in the brain called love land awkward teenaged smooching – gross! – and yes, the Year 7s were engrossed!  It was a great day, only one Year 7 questioned the title “Festival” feeling it lacked jugglers and fairy floss. 

I was also fortunate to be a moderator on one of the panels.  I lead a discussion on ‘Imagining Alternate Worlds’ with two incredible First Nations writers Claire G. Coleman (Terra Nullius and The Old Lie) and Ambelin Kwaymullina (The Tribe Series, Catching Teller Crow).  I was excited and incredibly nervous.  I’d been reading Claire’s The Old Lie in each 10-minute wide reading session that begins our lessons and my Year 7s were keen to know what the book was about and what questions I would ask.  It was fascinating to learn how both authors use the speculative fiction form to position readers to reflect on the realities of the world we live in today – particularly our shameful history of colonisation. 

Finally, I also had the pleasure of attending the State Library Victoria’s Inky Awards.  The Inky Awards are Australia's only book award voted for by teens. There are two categories: the Gold Inky Award for an Australian book and the Silver Inky Award for an international book.  We have the Inky winners plus the Inky short list available for loan in the John Cain Memorial Library.  Get it or get yourself on the wait list.

Rebekah Keenan Mount

Head of English & Liberal Arts Lead