THE FIRST SUPPER

Sitting outside in the brisk winter air of a Bendigo winter with my three best friends, me, myself and I, sipping on a sparkling from our regions finest, waiting for others to arrive, I contemplate the evening ahead. Note pad and pen in hand I sit, sip an wait listening to the passing traffic as the sun sets over this beautiful city.
Its a funny thing to be alone, even with the passing foot traffic and trucks alike, you really only have your own mind to keep you company.
On the eve of the Bendigo Writers Festival, anticipation of the evenings events, key note speaker Jackie French is on her way to the venue. Waiters waiting, cameras at the ready, a hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses set the stage but nothing could prepare us for what was about to unfold.
As the second round of drinks made their way to our table Jackie French took to the stand and began speaking. She informed us that she did indeed have a 'speech 'prepared but she was not going to usher a word of her rehearsed words. In fact she began by saying "I was not going to turn up here tonight..." We all looked around at each other, minds boggled. Was this the beginning of the end of the BWF?
She continued, "I was in my hotel room listening to a woman screaming and men laughing" She panicked and searched for a limo service to take her back to the airport. The audience eyes were wide in wonder, she continued, "14 years ago today my sister was murdered!" She hadn't realised this until she questioned her panic.
"People do extraordinary evil things" she said. "When you write fiction you have the capability of telling the truth" French, as I understood her, gave reason to her writing as a way to tell stories, no matter how horrific. Through her pen, or her keyboard, French is able to rid herself, to some degree, of the horrors she has faced in her life, and by doing so has kept herself sane through many heartaches because she believes "books have got power". Power to educate, inspire, captivate, escape, cultivate, and elevate.
This is just the beginning of the BWF, it is going to be one hell of a ride.
Mindy Moore