Writing Fiction

Melbourne Writers Festival

Writing can be a solitary activity. As John Donne said, ‘no man is an island’, even if sometimes they like to think they are. One of the focuses for out Writing Fiction students is that they are not alone. They have been encouraged to see an important part of writing is to create a safe environment to share their writing, read it out loud to themselves and to others. We have tried different strategies for beginning our writing, discussing what works and what doesn’t work for us. Most importantly, we have looked at good writers, their writing and their thoughts about their writing. It is not often we get the opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded people that is why the Melbourne Writer’s Festival was such an invaluable opportunity to meet other authors and people who understand the weird and wonderful lives writers (and aspiring writers) lead.

The highlight for our students was John Marsden and Alice Pung. Both have been writers who have had their books set as school texts at Kurunjang Secondary College. Our students did themselves and their peers proud by asking very good questions of these experienced writers, such as strategies for dealing with “writer’s block”. The authors referred to themselves as “Westies”, with all the writers drawing on their adolescent experiences as contributing to their writing.

Many thanks to Ms Gokmen for her support in enhancing the Literacy experience of our students and Mr Schwalger for his support and photographic skills. 

- Ms Potts

English Teacher