Berry Writers Festival
Hello dear reader,
Do you need a diversion that will inevitably require you to buy more books to add to your collection? If so, I suggest you find and attend a writer’s festival near you as soon as possible!
Recently I was lucky enough to attend Berry Writer’s Festival, my first writer’s festival ever! And yes, I may have bought one or two new books. It would’ve been rude not to!
I was only able to attend one session, but it was so worth it. The whole program had something for everyone with an impressive cross-section of authors including politicians, journalists, social commentators, award winning novelists and historians.
My session was a meeting of the minds between Jacqueline Maley, Meredith Jaffé and Tori Haschka.
I joined the patrons happily milling around, anticipating the next session, coffees in hand, sitting outdoors soaking up the warm sunshine after so much rain, in this beautiful village of Berry, the “town of trees. There was an excited buzz in the air.
The theme for this session was about the difficult choices that women must make during a lifetime, no matter their age, status, or environment. At the appointed time the room got noisy and filled up quickly. The audience was mainly women. There was even a whole book club in one section!
In the moderating seat was Tori Haschka - a Sydney based author, food writer and mum of two. Her articles have featured in places like the Guardian, Mamamia and the Sydney Morning Herald and her blog eatori.com was ranked by Saveur as one of the five best food and travel blogs in the world.
My first book purchase was Tori’s novel Grace Under Pressure, a portrayal of modern-day motherhood and the saving grace of female friendships.
The first guest was Meredith Jaffé who is the author of four adult novels. Her bestselling award winning novel, The Dressmakers of Yarrandarrah Prison, was voted in the 2021 Booktopia Favourite Top 50 Australian Book Award. Her latest book, The Tricky Art of Forgiveness, looks at the resentment we hold and the lies we tell ourselves and others.
I’m a big fan and have read and thoroughly enjoyed both these warm and insightful books. Meredith also writes for children.
The next author was Jacqueline Maley- an award-winning columnist and senior writer for the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age. She is the recipient of the prestigious Walkley Award along with her colleague Kate McClymont. The Truth About Her is her first novel. In it she explores the difficult choices women make when facing the crisis points surrounding motherhood.
I may also have bought this book.
The whole hour went by so quickly. It was like sitting in on a chat amongst good friends who were sharing a mix of inspiring stories, wisdom, and humour. I sat captivated as the authors shared personal stories of how fire, floods and COVID impacted their lives and their writing process.
There was some discussion about the invisibility of women that are of a certain late, middle age. These are all the women who are doing uncelebrated important work that keeps the world together. yet they are frequently overlooked as characters in art and craft. There is so much richness in the lives of these women if we care to listen.
Top seven writing takeaways
Good fiction takes time
Novels are products of design and structure
Fiction allows us to see the world through a new filter
Elements of drama and conflict are essential. The reader must be desperate to know what’s going to happen next. This can be either plot driven, or character driven.
Being a writer is about observing people. Be a sharp observer
Be conscious of the filter system that you apply to your characters, e.g., white, older/younger, women filter.
Always bow to the story. What you put in a novel must serve the novel.
The session ended with a lively discussion about what people really want to read now. The consensus was we want to read things that nourish us but there is still a strong market for current news/bad news and media chat.
Once the session ended, I followed a line of chattering women next door into a conveniently placed pop-up bookshop courtesy of the wonderful Olivia who owns the delightful, independent, community-based bookshop, Wax Lyrical in the heart of Berry village. It was shoulder to shoulder in the popup bookstore! An author signing table next door completed the process.
All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable, inspiring experience with something for everyone. I can’t wait for the next one.
For more info check out: https://www.meredithjaffe.com/about
And https://twitter.com/JacquelineMaley
Also https://www.torihaschka.com/
and https://www.facebook.com/waxlyricalberry/
Have you been to any writing festivals lately? I’d love to hear your stories.
Until next time
Kirsten
P.S. I’ve just bought a ticket for a session with Meredith Jaffé for NaNoWriMo in November at my local library! So excited 😊
