RANDOM WOMAN
Upon arrival at the Capital Theatre this morning at 9am I was confronted with what I thought was an 'artistic installation'. A middle age woman was perched on the grand steps surrounded by papers with scribble and illegible writing. A poet? A writer? A busker? Surely she had to be an artist of some description to be at the BWF putting on a performance. As I pretended to wait for someone I tried to read her writings but it was impossible, until I walked around the other side of her and there were words I could read! She had written, "sit down and have a drink with me". WHAT??? It was early in the morning as she sat in the cold with an almost empty bottle of red.
Her teeth stained pink with wine, head bobbing side to side, eyes unable to focus. It wasn't long until she was asked to move on by security.
You never know what you are going to get at a festival!!
Mindy Moore
Saturday 9 August 2014
Thursday 7 August 2014
LESSON LEARNED
Ahhh the animated Jackie French. I could listen to her for hours, and this afternoons session in the Capital theatre with her was no exception! She delighted the youthful audience, of which there were over 500, with her stories of inspiration, heartache and laughter.
I picked my daughter up from school early and snuck her in with me (shhh, don't tell Sue) as she, my daughter, is a huge Jackie French fan and has read many of her books. Although Cassidy enjoyed listening to Jackie it was the book signing she was most looking forward to.
I had previously purchased the novel on line. For me it was a matter of money and that was the cheapest one I found. I thought it didn't matter UNTIL Cassidy met Jackie with book in hand and Jackie commented "oh, I see you have the American version" I had not realised it came from the States. Jackie then preceded to tell us that the American publishes re-edited not only her words but the pictures as well! She continued, 'There was a drawing in this book which showed some chest hair on a young man and that is illegal in the state of Florida, so it was re-drawn before distribution in America.
Lesson learned! I shall only ever buy books from the country where the artist originates!
I gave a humbled apology and shrunk back into the corner. One the up side, Cassidy met one of her idols and has the autograph in her book to prove it !
Mindy Moore
LIVE ACROSS THE NATION
We are all aware that ABC radio is a staple of the Australian diet, and boy did we get fed a big breakfast at the Capital Theatre in Bendigo this morning! ABC radio National did a live broad cast from inside the Capital which was sure to capture the country. From Broom to Bundaberg, Yass to Young and Gundagai to Gornog, the audience was exposed to not only writers and their stories, but to some wonderful music by 'The Grumpy Neighbour'! As an audience member this was one of the best breakfasts' I have ever had.
You just don't know what you are going to get at the Bendigo Writers Festival. Amazing!!!
Mindy Moore
We are all aware that ABC radio is a staple of the Australian diet, and boy did we get fed a big breakfast at the Capital Theatre in Bendigo this morning! ABC radio National did a live broad cast from inside the Capital which was sure to capture the country. From Broom to Bundaberg, Yass to Young and Gundagai to Gornog, the audience was exposed to not only writers and their stories, but to some wonderful music by 'The Grumpy Neighbour'! As an audience member this was one of the best breakfasts' I have ever had.
You just don't know what you are going to get at the Bendigo Writers Festival. Amazing!!!
Mindy Moore
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
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
Tuesday 29 July 2014
Dummy
Out of my group of friends, I would have to be the dumbest person I know. They all have high flying careers, a pile of money and more frequent flyer points than all the ducks that fly south for the winter. I am a middle age woman who has gone back to school to try to so something with the second half on my life. Oh the shame (I thought) oh the class rooms, oh the home work and ohhhh the young surrounding me!!!!! I stayed in my little corner trying to wrap my head around this new life; until I had to do a group presentation!!!! Ahhhhhh
I did what I had to do, I did the home work, I did the presentations and I wrote the essays AND low and behold I got A's!!!! What?? I have never had an A in my life!!! Not in primary school, not in high school and here I am nailing it at university!
These A's gave me the courage to come for another year. Now that I know people enjoy reading my writing I am an unstoppable machine.
The Bendigo Writers festival is an event I can go to now and here others who thought like me. Sure, some are accomplished, published writers but they are no longer intimidating, they are no longer from another world. We all enjoy the written and spoken word, wether it is a novel or a song. I am so very grateful for this experience and I no longer want to hide under a rock!
Mwa Mwa Mindy Moore.
I did what I had to do, I did the home work, I did the presentations and I wrote the essays AND low and behold I got A's!!!! What?? I have never had an A in my life!!! Not in primary school, not in high school and here I am nailing it at university!
These A's gave me the courage to come for another year. Now that I know people enjoy reading my writing I am an unstoppable machine.
The Bendigo Writers festival is an event I can go to now and here others who thought like me. Sure, some are accomplished, published writers but they are no longer intimidating, they are no longer from another world. We all enjoy the written and spoken word, wether it is a novel or a song. I am so very grateful for this experience and I no longer want to hide under a rock!
Mwa Mwa Mindy Moore.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)